Water Damage Categories

Category 1 – Clean water
  • Water originating from either a broken pipe or a burst supply line to an appliance.
  • May deteriorate in cleanliness when in contact with structural surfaces and content materials.
  • The only Category of water loss where you are able to utilize in place drying.
  • Statistically, there is no such thing as clean water, as once the water comes into contact with carpet, it is gray water.
Category 2 – Gray water
  • Water originating from an appliance discharge, or from inside an appliance.
  • Water containing a significant degree of chemical, biological and/or physical contamination.
  • Cushion (carpet pad) must be removed and replaced.
  • Carpet that is saved must be cleaned with hot water extraction.
  • Clean water becomes gray water after 72 hours.
Category 3 – Black water
  • Grossly unsanitary water containing pathogenic agents arising from sewage or other contaminated water sources. 
  • Water originating from a source that poses substantial threat to human health. 
  • Carpet and cushion must be removed and disposed.   All porous materials must be disposed of.
  • Gray water becomes black water after 72 hours.

To learn more, read about Water Damage Classes.