3 Types of Contaminated Flood Water

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

Category 1 water damage

While all types of floods can potentially cause massive amounts of property damage, it's still important for you to be aware of the type of contaminated water you're currently dealing with. You must handle each type of contaminant differently in order to be successful. Read on if your home in Laredo, TX, is currently suffering from a residential flood.

Types of Flood Water

There are three main types of floods, each categorized by the types of contaminants present in the water:

Category 1: Also known as a clean water flood, this type of floodwater is the least dangerous. Clean water floods are typically caused when a supply line bursts, flooding the home with contaminant-free, non-toxic water. Theoretically, this water is safe for human consumption, but you should still never attempt to drink it.

Category 2: Category 2 floods contain slightly more contaminated water. They are usually a result of a flooding or overflowing household appliance, such as a washing machine or a dish washer.

Category 3: Category 3 floods, also known as black water floods, are extremely dangerous. They're categorized by the presence of biohazards, such as raw sewage and human/animal fecal matter. They're typically caused by toilet back flow, or sewage overflow. You should never attempt to remediate a Category 3 flood by yourself; always contact remediation experts for assistance.

Preventing Residential Floods
Residential floods are relatively simple to prevent, as long as you remain vigilant and stay on top of the proper preventative and protective measures. Prevent toilet back flow by never flushing anything down your toilets that your pipes can't handle. Hire professionals to routinely perform maintenance and inspections on your sewer lines.
Contaminated water floods can cause a lot of problems for your home in the form of water damage, mold growth and other types of disasters. Your best course of action is to contact flood remediation experts to help solve the issue quickly and effectively.