The 3 Types of Wastewater in Your Home

10/15/2019 (Permalink)

A dripping shower head is an example of clear water

The 3 Types of Wastewater in Your Home

Every homeowner should know the basics of contaminated water in Geneva,IL. It could mean the difference between using a bunch of towels or calling in a professional water damage remediation specialist.

Clear Water: Category 1

This lowest category is water that hasn't been used yet- it's clean water that has come into your home and escaped its confines before it's intended use. This means that it is safe for you to clean up, if the damage isn't too great and you know what you are doing. Keep in mind that if left sitting for too long, category 1 water can become category 2 water in about 48 hours, depending on temperature and setting. Some examples of clear water are:

• Broken water supply line
  
• Leaking faucet
  
• Dripping shower head
  
  

Gray Water: Category 2

Category 2 is water that has been lightly used, and is only considered slightly contaminated water. It can cause slight discomfort to those who come into contact with it. Some common sources of gray water are dishwasher overflow, washing machine overflow or toilet overflow (with no feces). This type of water can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated, because there may be bacteria or viruses sitting in it.

Black Water: Category 3

The third category, black water, is the most dangerous to you and your family. You should avoid contact with this type of water at all costs. If you must interact with it, be sure to wear protective gear such as tall boots and long rubber gloves. This type of water usually comes from sewage backup, and can contain feces or microbial growth. River and stream overflow also fall into this category.
If you've discovered accumulated water in your home, do your best to identify the category of water before moving forward. When in doubt, avoid contact and call the professionals. Don't forget to take care of it as soon as possible to prevent the water from becoming more contaminated and more damage occurring.