Categories of Water and What that means for your home

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Call us at SERVPRO of Spring/ Tomball for any additional information or to discuss water damage at your location 281-374-6454.

Water damage is one of the most common and costly disasters accounting for billions of dollars in losses to homeowners and renters annually. Here at SERVPRO of Spring/ Tomball, we encourage all homeowners to protect themselves with the right insurance coverage. Generally speaking, water that falls, such as rainwater, is covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy, while water that comes from the ground, such as an overflowing river, is covered by a separate flood insurance policy. 

By the same token, properly maintaining a home is one of the best ways to prevent water damage.  A homeowner can prevent water seepage by painting a water-sealant or avert a sewer backup by installing a backwater valve. The Institute for Business & Home Safety offers these additional tips for homeowners.  

A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage in an affected area. According to IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, water is separated in three different categories dependent on the level of contamination. They are summarized as the following: 
 

Category 1 Water – That which is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. Category 1 water may become progressively contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings or building assemblies (walls, decking, subflooring). Time and temperature, which promote the growth and amplification of microorganisms in water can cause Category 1 water to degrade. Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances, vertically falling rainwater. 

Category 2 Water – That which begins with some degree of contamination and could cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. As with Category 1 water, time and temperature can cause Category 2 water to become progressively more contaminated. 

Category 3 Water – That which is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious illness if consumed by humans. Examples: sewage, rising flood water from rivers and streams, ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes. There are two ways in which water enters a building as a result of wind storm damage. 

Call us at SERVPRO of Spring/ Tomball for any additional information or to discuss water damage at your location 281-374-6454.