A Few Facts About Floodwater

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Water from a storm is considered Category 3 water.

Things You Need To Know About Floodwater

Storm season in Black Lick, PA, can wreak havoc on your home. One of the most common problems that occur is water damage from floodwater. Homeowners often are tempted to clean up this type of mess themselves, but that is a mistake. Contact with the water should be avoided. To protect yourself and your family, there are some things you need to know about floodwater.

Contamination Category

Water from a storm is considered Category 3 water, which is highly contaminated. Removing it and repairing its damage requires professional help from water remediation specialists. Storm water can pick up contaminants from multiple sources:

• Backed up sewer system
  
• Agricultural or industrial runoff
  
• Toxic waste site overflow
  
• Oil or gasoline from driveways or streets
  
  

You never know where the water flooding your home has been. It's better to be on the safe side and avoid contact with it.

Contamination Levels

One of the first things that remediation experts are going to do when they come to your home is to determine the extent of the water damage. To do this, they discern the level of the Category 3 water. At Level 1, the water comes from an interior source. The amount of water is miniscule and hasn't soaked into anything yet. The damage caused at this level is relatively easy to fix. At Level 2, the water also comes from an interior overflow, but it affects a much larger area and may show signs of seeping into floors or walls. During a flood, however, the water comes from an outside source and causes quite a bit of damage. These factors make it Level 3 water. Not only must the water be removed, the area must also be disinfected before contractors can begin to make repairs.

Category 3 water damage necessitates drying, cleaning and repairing. If your home has been flooded by storm overflow, it is important to have the problem assessed and remedied by certified experts.