Water Damage in the Milwaukee Area: 3 Categories To Know

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Often, water damage spreads to areas that cannot be seen. Call an expert for help to ensure all moisture has been removed.

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, we pride ourselves on being the experts in water damage remediation.  We ensure our technicians are educated by requiring them to become certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) as Water Restoration Technicians.  This gives them the ability to classify and categorize the type of water damage a property may have.  With regard to infiltration, there are three categories of water.  Knowing what these are and how to properly mitigate their damage is paramount to restoring your home or business to a healthy, safe state.

Category 1

Water originates from a sanitary water source and does not pose substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure.  Examples include but are not limited to:

Broken water supply lines; tub or sink overflows with no contaminants; appliance malfunctions involving water-supply lines; melting ice or snow; falling rainwater; broken toilet tanks, and toilet bowls that do not contain contaminants or additives.

Category 2

Water contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. Category 2 water can contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological). Examples include but are not limited to:

Discharge from dishwashers or washing machines, overflows from washing machines, overflows from toilet bowls on the room side of the trap with some urine

Category 3

Water is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents and can cause significant adverse reactions to humans if contacted or consumed. Examples include but are not limited to:

Sewage; waste line backflows that originate from beyond any trap regardless of visible content or color; all forms of flooding from seawater; rising water from rivers or streams; and other contaminated water entering or affecting the indoor environment, such as wind-driven rain from hurricanes, tropical storms, or other weather-related events. 

Category 3 water can carry trace levels of regulated or hazardous materials (e.g., pesticides or toxic organic substances).

In the unfortunate event that you experience water damage, call the experts at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North to help.  We have the training and expertise to make sure your home or business is safe and clean.  We are available 24/7/365 for your emergencies at 414-354-7566.