Water Damage: Causes, Types, and Categories

Causes of Water Damage

Water damage can occur due to various factors, including:

Water damage is categorized based on the source and severity of the damage:

Clean Water Damage: Caused by water from clean sources, such as broken pipes or leaking faucets.
Gray Water Damage: Resulting from water contaminated with mild pathogens, such as those found in washing machines or sinks.
Black Water Damage: Originating from sources that contain harmful bacteria and pathogens, including sewage, floodwater, and standing water.

Water damage is further classified into three categories based on the level of contamination and the amount of damage:

Category	Description
Category 1: Clean Water	Water from clean sources that poses no significant health risks. The affected area can be restored to its pre-damage condition with proper cleaning and drying.
Category 2: Gray Water	Water containing some level of harmful bacteria or other microorganisms. The affected area requires thorough disinfection and cleaning to prevent health hazards.
Category 3: Black Water	Water contaminated with severe levels of pathogens and hazardous substances. The affected area poses a significant health risk and requires extensive remediation and disinfection.