Category 3: Levels of Contamination

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

A flooded home in Andice, TX.

Water Categories

Many people have fond memories of splashing barefoot in puddles after a storm when they were children. Lingering flood water is actually pretty contaminated, though. When it seeps into your home in Andice, TX, it can cause water damage that only water remediation experts can resolve. Water from flooding is considered Category 3 water, meaning it is not safe to ingest on account of its high germ level. All Category 3 water, however, is not the same.

Level 1

Water can be very contaminated without causing a huge problem. Some factors make black water easy to clean up:

• Originates in house
• Does not come into contact with porous items
• Affects small, limited area
• Has quick cleanup time
  
  

Black water from an overflowing toilet that was caught before it could become a huge problem is a level 1 contaminant. It is still not safe to ingest but can be cleaned up fairly easily.

Level 2

Category 3 water that originates in the house but causes more significant water damage is the next level of contamination. It may affect both porous and nonporous materials. Technicians who remediate this damage often have to cut out walls and replace them. Carpet, carpet pads and furniture upholstery that has been in contact with this water must be thrown away if they cannot be cleaned.

Level 3

Flood water from a storm falls into the third level of Category 3 black water. If your home is flooded by a storm, you must engage professional help for cleanup. Certified technicians use industrial cleaners to make sure that every bit of contamination is gone. They also ensure that all damage is fixed and that your home is returned to its previous livable state.

No matter what level Category 3 water you have in your home, it can cause significant water damage. It not only has to be dried to prevent mold and other problems but also cleaned so that the environment of your home is safe again.