1.Clean Water

This water category does not include any toxins and comes from a non-hazardous source such as a washing machine or water faucet. Most of the risks involved in this category are usually caused by a hidden clean water deposit or incomplete cleanup of flooding, which can lead to mold growth. If restoration professionals can move quickly to clean up a clean water deposit, most of your home’s infrastructure and furnishings can be salvaged before the deposit has a chance to become a health hazard.

2. Grey Water

This water category contains significant levels of toxins that are often the first noticeable sign of a biohazard problem caused by a faulty sanitation system. Flooding and water deposits that contain grey water often come from toilet bowls, sewer systems, sump pumps and anything else that sends water through the sanitation system.

3. Black Water

This is an extremely hazardous water category that contains bacteria, toxins and fungi that will cause harm to the homeowner if not addressed promptly. A backed up sewage or plumbing system causes most black water flooding events. Excessive amounts of seawater or river water may also make it into your home in certain circumstances, such as unusual amounts of rain that caused a river to overflow its banks and spill into homes. If not addressed within 2-3 days of the flooding event, a black water flood usually becomes Category 3 flooding that requires specialized equipment and extreme caution to clean up. Because black water is so hazardous even before it becomes Category 3, we prefer that homeowners who have been victims of a black water flooding event call us quickly so that we can send highly trained technicians out to the site and begin the cleanup process without any unnecessary delay.