Water Damage Basics

When dealing with water, timing is imperative. The longer you wait to start the clean-up process, the worse the damage is going to get.

Once the water has been removed from the premises, you can start the clean-up process by opening all doors and windows. Remember to keep everything open until all parts of the property are dry including floors, furniture, walls and other materials. Dryout services Maryland professionals can help prevent mold and mildew growth due to water damaged property.

Unwanted water can destroy materials such as wood, steel and laminate. It can cause the growth of mold and damage walls and floors. Damage can happen instantly with a big storm or slowly overtime with a leaky pipe.

Water damage is typically placed into one of three categories. The category of water determines how the water will be removed. Water damage restoration professionals understand these categories and work to quickly restore the property.

Category 1: This category includes clean water that poses no threat to people. The circumstances that can cause this type of water damage usually include sink and bathtub overflows and appliance malfunctions. These types of messes are easy to clean-up and are only likely to cause minor water damage, if any.

Category 2: The second category is known as grey water which is contaminated water. This water will have a significant amount of chemical, biological or physical contaminants to be rated in this category. Grey water can cause sickness when one is exposed to or drinks it. This category includes water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines, overflows of toilets and water seepage from hydrostatic failures.

Category 3: This third and final category contains water known as black water, which affects indoor environments. It is very unsanitary and can cause sickness due to high amounts of bacteria and fungi. The third category includes water from sewage, seawater, water from rivers and streams, ground surface water and standing water.

Author: Frank Nemshick