Water damage is a common issue witnessed by around 14,000 people in the U.S daily. It is a stressful issue but not always. Sometimes minor faults can occur that are easy to handle.

But always keep in mind that never ignore these minor damages. They can turn into big problems over time and cause some hefty damage to your property. Appropriate restorations should take place to neutralize the situation. 

Just by identifying the source and the color of the water, you can predict a lot about the water damage. Water damages have various categories, and each type has its adversity and mitigation process. This blog explains the three broad categories of water damage!

1) Category 1 Water Damage: Clean Water Damage Category 1 Water Damage is the water that drains out of any sanitary source and has the minor changes of causing any infection.

This water is also referred to as Clean Water and originates from sources like:
 Water Supply Lines
 Broken water supply line
 Rainwater
 Water overflowing from bathtubs and sinks
 Toilet Tanks
Mitigation: 

This damage has the cleanliest water when compared to other water damages. Since this water is clean, you can handle the situation quickly. You can remove the water from the place manually by using a bucket.

It may take a lot of time and may damage your carpeting and flooring, and thus you can use wet electric or gas pumps. Once you remove the water, you need to dry out all the things that got wet to prevent mold growth.

You can even call a water damage restoration company to have specialized tools and equipment to check the damage. They can also identify internal water leakages, if any, and rectify them immediately so that further damage does not occur. 

2) Category 2 Water Damage: Grey Water Damage

Category 2 Water Damage is the water that drains out of places that are contaminated. This water has high chances of causing infection or discomfort overexposure as it contains microbes, detergents, seepage, diluted urine as contaminants.

This water is known as Grey Water because of its color. It originates from:
 Washing Machine/ Dishwater discharge or overflow
 Toilet overflowing with urine
 Broken Sump Pumps 
 Punctured Water Beds
 Seepage 

Mitigation: 
Since this water has contaminants and has a reasonable possibility of causing infection thus following safety precautions is necessary. You should even hire a water damage restoration company as they have the expertise and the correct equipment to resolve the condition. 

Initially, locate the water source and stop it so that more water does not enter the premises. Afterward, you should remove the water and check the damage. Inspect the carpeting, drywall, furniture, and other material and identify it are helpful; otherwise, dispose of them. You should also infect all the surface which have come in contact with this water. 

3) Category 3 Water Damage: Black Water Damage

Category 3 Water Damage is the most infectious and contaminated water. This water contains biohazards, pathogens, and sewage and is thus black. It can cause many types of infection upon exposure or consumption. This water can cause gastrointestinal disorders, wound infections, respiratory diseases, upper respiratory diseases, skin rashes, dysentery, etc.

The sources of black water are:
 Sewage
 Seawater
 Flood Water
 Rising water from rivers/streams
 Wind-driven rain from hurricanes and storms
 Toilet Bowl overflowing with feces

Mitigation: 

Removing blackwater is crucial as it is highly infectious. This water damage requires professional help, and it is best if you call a water damage restoration company. Keep in mind that all the professionals keep all the precautions in mind and wear masks, gloves, long boats, face-shield, trousers, and full sleeves shirts.

They should identify the source of the water and stop it. Then, extraction of water is the next step, followed by waste disposal. Replace everything which has come in contact with this water.

Replace your flooring, carpeting, tiles, etc. Wrap the waste in proper polybags and then dispose of them to control the spread of infection. After removal, dry the place and disinfect every surface properly. 

Last few words
Keep in mind mitigation is the key to this problem. Always take a quick step if you witness any water damage, as it will save you hundreds of bucks. Keep in mind that the situation is temporary and it will resolve quickly.