What Category of Water Damage Is a Broken Pipe?

10/22/2021 (Permalink)

The cleanup of your flooded building in Pueblo, CO, will depend on the category of water.

Water damage can be tricky to deal with regardless of the source of the water. However, some types of water damage are more difficult to contend with than others. If you have water damage due to a pipe that needs water pipe repair, you may be wondering what category of water damage you have.

3 Categories of Water Damage in a Flooded Building

There are three categories of water damage. Water is classified according to the source and its exposure to contaminants.

1. Category 1 Water

Category 1 water damage is usually the easiest to deal with because it does not contain contaminants. Clean water from a broken pipe or supply line, an overflow from a sink or bathtub with no contaminants, leaking appliances, water from a toilet tank, rainwater, and melting ice or snow are in this category. Additionally, an overflow from a toilet bowl that contains only clean water is in this category. Most instances of water from a pipe that needs water pipe repair are Category 1 water.

2. Category 2 Water

Category 2 water is also known as gray water. This water contains chemicals or biological or physical contamination. This category is more difficult to deal with than Category 1 because anyone attempting to remove it needs to wear protective gear and surfaces that have come in contact with the water need to be disinfected. Examples of Category 2 water include leaks from washing machines or dishwashers, sump pump failures, chilled or condensate water, water from sprinkler systems, and overflows from toilets that contain urine, but no feces. Additionally, Category 1 water that has been left standing for too long or has flowed through building materials from a higher level in the building can become Category 2. As an example, a leak from a clean sink on the second floor of the building would be Category 1 on the second floor, but Category 2 if the water seeps through the floor, ceiling, or walls to get to the first floor.

3. Category 3 Water

Category 3 water is also called black water and is water that is considered grossly unsanitary. This is the most difficult type of water to deal with because it requires specialized safety equipment and training to remove it safely. Unless you have people on staff with this type of training, it is usually best to contact a water remediation company in Pueblo, CO, to remove this type of water. Examples of Category 3 water include water from a sewage system, rising water from rivers or streams, and rainwater mixed with sewage. Additionally, Category 2 water that has not been cleaned correctly can become Category 3. It is important to clean up any kind of water damage within 24 to 48 hours whenever possible.

Water damage from a pipe that needs water pipe repair is usually among the easiest types of water damage to clean. However, it is important to clean it up promptly or it can become contaminated. Additionally, any type of water damage needs to be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid the potential for further property damage.