3 Categories of Contaminated Water Explained

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Drying services in Nashville, TN.

If you have flooding or water damage in your Nashville, TN home, it's important to understand what category of water caused it. The source determines the category of contaminated water and will affect how it is cleaned up.

Category 1 Contamination

Water in the first category is the cleanest. It comes from sanitary sources like:

• A broken supply line
• Overflowing water from a sink or tub
• A leaking ice maker
  

Category 1 water generally does not pose a risk to humans. It can be removed using vacuums, dehumidifiers and air movers. Even though Category 1 water is mostly clean, you should begin the drying process as soon as possible to avoid mold growth and secondary damage, such as warped floors, wet drywall or ruined furniture.

Category 2 Contamination
Water in Category 2 is also known as gray water. It includes dirty water from dishwashers and washing machines, aquariums, toilet overflow with urine and water beds. Water from Category 1 may become Category 2 water after 48 hours. It's best to remove affected carpet and padding because the organic material in gray water, along with moisture, can encourage mold growth.

Category 3 Contamination
Another name for Category 3 water is black water. This type of contaminated water results from an overflowing toilet containing feces, a sewage line or rising floodwaters. Floodwaters are considered Category 3 because they might contain chemicals like fertilizer, or organic material like animal feces or sewage backup. Category 2 water becomes Category 3 water if left untreated for more than 48 hours. Black water contamination is an emergency situation. A professional restoration company with special equipment can remove it and replace or restore your home's affected contents.
While no one likes to think of the possibility of flood damage or contaminated water in Nashville, a restoration company can help you safely remove and clean up water damage if the need arises.