Water damage is one of the most devastating occurrences that can happen to your home. Water carries hidden dangers that may not be immediately evident when you first see it. The tricky thing about water damage is that it can be happening in your home while you are unaware of it. If there is a slow leak in a pipe behind a wall or if you have a gap in a window that you do not use often, water can be accumulating without your knowledge until there is serious structural damage or a considerable mold problem. Water damage can also be a result of severe weather disasters, such as floods and hurricanes. You may also have a more immediately noticeable occurrence, like a burst pipe or an overflowing toilet. No matter what type of damage you experience, it is important to be aware of the three different types of water in order to assess the situation prior to clean up. Whenever you experience water damage, you should work with a water damage restoration service to make sure that your home is properly restored.

Clean

There may be instances when the water that has encroached upon your home is “clean.” When a pipe bursts or an appliance malfunctions, or there is a leak in your roof that allows falling rain water to enter your home, oftentimes the water will be deemed “clean.” This is perhaps the easiest type of water damage to handle, since there will not be too many microbes living in the water. The biggest hazard clean water presents is if the area that has been damaged is not properly cleaned and dried. This can result in mold and fungus growth. If the water has been standing in your home fore over twenty-four hours, it is advisable for you to contact an emergency restoration service, such as Alladin Restoration, to ensure that the water is dried thoroughly. This is especially important when the area affected is easily saturated, such as carpets or drywall.

Gray

Gray water is water that is slightly contaminated, either because of the nature of the source or because of neglect. For example, clean water can become “gray” water if it is left untreated for an extended period time. When a toilet or washing machine overflows, the resulting water would be considered gray because of its source. Any type of water that has been used or in any way contaminated is hazardous because of the microbes that may be present. If you want to begin the cleaning and drying process before the restoration service arrives, you should wear gloves in order to prevent your skin from touching the water so you do not spread any microbes.

Black

The most hazardous of the three types of water damage, “black” water is usually a result of natural disasters or sewage damage. Black water can include toxic materials such as bacterial diseases, chemicals, pesticides, microbes and more. If your home has suffered this type of damage, it is best to let a qualified professional begin the disinfecting process before you attempt to handle the damage on your own. They have the proper equipment and safety precautions in place to restore your home safely and thoroughly. You put yourself at risk if you are not careful with black water.

It is important to note that “gray” and “black” water are not necessarily the colors of the water that you will see in your home. They are simply terms that denote the level of contamination. If you experience a flood from a heavy rain, the water may look “clean,” but if there is any ground water that has backed up into your home as a result, there may be invisible microbes lurking in the water. This is why it is recommended that you allow a professional restoration service to assess and fix any water damage to your home. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your physical health, as well as the structure of your home.