Flood, Clean and Sewage Damage: Where They Differ, and Why Classification Matters for Restoration

Given that you live in Phoenix with its high desert environment, it is very important to understand water classification, whether you are currently searching for Water Damage Restoration in Phoenix, or need emergency service for water damage repair or clean-up. By understanding the differences between Flood, Clean, and Sewage Damage, we can help protect your property and protect YOU!

Why Is It Important to Classify the Type of Water in a Water Damage Event?

Water Classification is a method of categorizing water based on its point of origin and level of contamination. Depending on the type of water, there are different types of clean-up procedures to use and different types of equipment and personal safety equipment to utilize during clean-up. Some examples of clean water damage include:

Leaky pipes

Broken appliances

Malfunctioning hot water tanks

Clean water, while it is not a health hazard, can still cause serious damage to structures if left uncorrected. In areas such as Phoenix, where high heat is prevalent, clean water can become contaminated if allowed to remain for an extended period.

If You Do Not Address Clean Water Damage, You Will Be at Risk of Ill-health

Even though clean water starts off safe, it will not remain safe for an extended period of time. Bacteria can develop and grow when clean water comes into contact with building materials, dust, or other organic materials.

If clean water loss is not corrected quickly, the clean water damage will turn into contaminated water loss, causing more expensive clean-up costs and health risks to the occupants/users of that facility. A fast and professional response is required to avoid the development of contamination.

Flood Water: What Is It and Why Is It So Much More Dangerous Than Clean Water?

Flood water, the type of water usually classified as Category 3, is water from outside sources due to heavy rains, flash flooding, or mutually overflowing bodies of water. Monsoon storms will cause flooding in Phoenix, introducing very contaminated water into homes.

Flood water can contain dirt, chemicals, bacteria, debris, etc., making it extremely unhealthy for anyone coming into contact with it, requiring specialized restoration methods to effectively restore property damaged by flood water to its pre-flood condition.

Health Hazards Associated With Flood Water

Flood Water can contain pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, and contamination from the streets and soil. If you are exposed to flood water, you could experience skin irritation, respiratory health issues, or both, and may even become seriously ill.

Professional restoration professionals who are fully trained in the removal of flood water are protected with protective gear and the most effective sanitation techniques in order to remove flood water from a property and disinfect all affected areas due to health risks associated with DIY cleanups.

Black Water Is the Most Dangerous Water Damage

Black Water is sewage water and is the most dangerous type of water damage to have in your home, which can result from:

Sewage backup

A toilet overflow that contains human waste

A broken sewer drain

Sewage water is filled with viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can make someone very ill if exposed to it. Therefore, anybody who comes in contact with sewage water must seek professional help as soon as possible.

Reasons Why Sewage Damage Needs Professional Restoration

When sewage has contaminated a surface, the contamination has also seeped into porous building materials like drywall, flooring, and insulation. In order to prevent ongoing contamination, all of these materials usually need to be completely removed. 

Many companies involved in the restoration of sewage damage have strict safety rules in place that govern how the contaminated area is contained and how the contaminated materials are disposed of and sanitized so that the property can be made safe for occupancy after the cleanup is completed.

Impact of Time on Which Category the Water Damage Goes

An important part of classifying water damage is understanding that up to 24 to 48 hours can pass from the time clean water is first introduced into an area to the time it could change to a contaminated water category. Because of the accelerated growth of bacteria from the extreme temperatures found in Phoenix, there is a higher probability of clean water becoming contaminated much sooner than in other climates. 

This is another reason why a Water Damage Restoration Company in Phoenix should be contacted quickly to help minimize the hazards associated with contaminated water.

Why Professional Assessment Is Important

The average homeowner rarely has the training or professional-grade equipment to accurately determine what type of water has been involved. Water that appears clean may have already become contaminated prior to the homeowner having knowledge of it.

Water-related flooding of buildings is an important issue in Phoenix, Arizona. To help protect citizens from water-related flooding of buildings, Arizona has implemented numerous services available for protection.

To determine the extent and source of water-related damage, it will require an assessment of the lost or misplaced property, as well as an evaluation of the current structure and condition of the structure itself. Following this assessment, it will be necessary to develop a restoration plan to restore the property and building integrity as soon as possible.

Rely On Arizona Restoration Contractors for Professional Restoration 

Arizona Restoration Contractors provides complete restoration services for all types of water-related damage in the Phoenix area. The restoration contractor specializes in the accurate identification of types of water involved in the restoration of residential properties. This requires developing a comprehensive restoration plan for each property. 

Our restoration contractors are committed to utilizing state-of-the-art technology and practices to ensure the safety, timeliness, and success of all water restoration projects completed by our restoration contractors. When flooding occurs, homeowners can contact us for restoration of water damage in Phoenix.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Water Damage Category

What is the difference between flooded water and clean water?

Flooded water typically comes from contaminated sources. Clean water comes from sanitary sources.

If I delay treating my clean water flood damage, is my clean water flood damage deemed hazardous sooner rather than later?

Yes. If a homeowner fails to treat flooded residential property immediately, clean water has an increased potential for contamination and may pose a threat to health and safety within 24 hours after flooding.

Is sewer water certified as an emergency condition?

Yes. All sewer water issues are hazardous and should be restored by a professional.

Can I do my own cleanup for flooded residential properties?

It is highly discouraged for homeowners to perform their own cleanup following flooding or sewage incidents. Professional restoration contractors ensure a safety-first approach.

How soon after experiencing flooding damage should a homeowner contact a professional restoration contractor?

Homeowners should contact a professional restoration contractor immediately upon discovering flooding to minimize the potential for structural damage, hazardous mold growth, and contamination.