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.

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• 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.

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• 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.