How Bad is Water Damage to my House? Understanding the Important Factors

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

In a water damage event in Hickory Hollow, TN, there are several factors that contribute to whether water damage will be bad for your home. This quick guide is meant to shed light on the factors to consider when determining whether the water damage in your home or business may be serious enough to require professional attention.

The first factor to consider is the category of water intrusion. There are 3 main categories of water, and they are each determined by how contaminated the water is.

Category 1 would be water from a clean water source with little to no risk of causing sickness.

Category 2 water contains a certain degree of chemical, biological, and/or physical contamination. This could be water from a dishwasher drain line for example.

Category 3 water is grossly unsanitary water that may contain pathogens such as a sewage backup.

The quantity of water and potential rate of material evaporation can also be a critical factor in determining how bad the water damage may be to your home. These are typically divided into 4 main Classes.

Class 1 water damage is the least damaging. This type occurs when less than 5% of building materials have absorbed or been affected by water. This class can be cleaned up quickly and easily. This class of water damage may not require professional assistance unless mold is involved.

Class 2 water damage occurs when the water in affected building materials can evaporate quickly, however water in this class has penetrated materials and can begin to show signs of permanent damage if not treated swiftly. Typically, a class 2 water intrusion affects between 5%-40% of an affected area's surfaces. 

Class 3 water damage is when water intrusion has affected greater than 40% of an area's surface, and low evaporation materials have also absorbed water. Class 3 water intrusion should always be handled by professionals to limit permanent damage to building materials.

Class 4 water intrusion is called a specialty drying situation. These materials take the longest to dry because water becomes bound with the material's molecules and requires specialty drying equipment to dry properly. Class 4 intrusion usually takes the longest to occur, but also the longest to dry.

These factors along with the types of affected building materials may increase the potential for hazardous pre-existing conditions to be worsened by the water damage.

Hazardous materials like asbestos or lead may be harmful to your health and definitely require professional attention. It’s also important to consider the risk of electrical shock or gas leaks when wiring junctions or joints are involved.

While there are many more factors to consider when determining how bad water damage may be to your house, our team of professionals is Here to Help if you need immediate assistance. With our team of trained technicians at SERVPRO of Southeast Nashville, we’ll make sure to leave your home "Like it never even happened."

Call us today at (615) 731-4222