The Three Categories of Water Damage in Oceanside, CA Part Two: Category 2 “Gray” Water Damage

There are many ways a home can suffer water damage. If your home has been damaged by water, it’s important to call a water damage restoration specialist as soon as possible after the damage has occurred. The longer you wait, the more difficult the repair and restoration process will be.

Water damage restoration professionals categorize home water damage according to the condition and source of the water that caused the damage. There are three categories: clean, gray, and black. In this second post, we’re going to take a look at Category 2 “gray” water damage.

What is Category 2 “Gray” Water Damage?

“Clean” water damage is damage caused by water that doesn’t pose a health threat to humans. “Black” water damage is caused by a water source that is unfit for human consumption. “Gray” water damage lies in the middle.

Gray water is water that contains a significant amount of biological, physical, and/or chemical contaminants that have the potential to cause health problems if it is consumed by or comes into skin contact with humans. It’s called gray because the mixture of contaminants often turns the water a gray color. While not fit for human consumption, gray water can often be reused for flushing toilets or watering plants.

Examples of gray water sources include:

• Water that has been used for washing, laundering, cooking, bathing, or showering
• Overflowing toilets (with no feces in the water)
• Sump pump failures
• Seepage due to hydrostatic pressure
• Chilled and condensate water

Depending on environmental conditions, Category 2 water damage can escalate to Category 3 water damage if left untreated for even just a couple of days.

Repairing and Restoring Category 2 Water Damage

The repair and restoration process for category 2 water damage is similar to the one used for category 1 water damage. If the damage is the result of a plumbing issue, the first step is to address the problem that’s causing the damage.

Before restoration can begin, all affected structures and items need to be dried and cleaned. Excess water can be removed by physical means (mopping, wet vacs, etc.), evaporation, dehumidification, and temperature control. A number of cleaners are used to eliminate the risk of mold contamination.

Once the home has been cleaned and dried, technicians can perform an inspection to determine the extent of the water damage and what work will be required to repair and restore the home to its original condition.

Your First Choice for Water Damage Restoration in Oceanside, CA

If your home has suffered water damage, it’s important to begin repairs and restoration as soon as possible to mitigate the damage, especially if it’s category 2 or 3 water damage. The people to call are 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration. We’ve been providing expert water damage services to Oceanside, CA home and business owners since 2012. Our team of experienced and licensed water damage restoration specialists has the equipment and know-how to repair and restore any category of water damage.

Don’t let water damage impact the value of your home or the health of your family. You can contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration through our website or call us at 866-437-0205 to schedule a call any time of the day or night. 24/7 emergency plumbing services are available. In most cases, a licensed Oceanside, Ca water damage restoration specialist can be onsite within an hour of your call.