There are many ways to gauge water damage. One is by classifying the type of water that has contaminated a structure or area to properly assess the kind of water displacing or processing needed. The most prevalent water contamination can be classified into three: the clean water, the gray water, and the black water. This classification does not simply indicate the color of the contaminating water but also the characteristic, source, and contents. By these, one can easily provide the extent of water damage as well as the restoration needed for the project.



1.) Clean Water. Among the sources of clean water which can also damage properties, are those that are spouting from broken water lines, toilet tanks, rain water, or melting snow. All of these are clean when it is in its fresh state, but as time passes by, it starts to become dirty and harmful to the health of human beings. Another thing that must be taken into consideration aside from time is the particles or surfaces where it can hoard unfavorable mixtures. When these things happen, it can generate high level of water damage.

2.) Gray Water. The second type of water contamination is the gray water. This type include discharges that are coming from dishwashers or washing machines and even the overflows that comes from washing machines and toilet bowls with some urine but without feces. Other sources of gray waters are leaks and seepages of sump pump when it fails. It can also include seepage from containers and pumps that are rooting from too much hydrostatic pressure. It also includes water from broken aquariums and those that are coming from punctured water beds. The worst thing about gray water is that it contains different chemicals and bio-contaminants where fungal, bacterial, viral, and algae infections may root from. When exposed to these types of water damage, it is important that immediate actions be done on affected areas.

3.) Black Water. The highest form of dirty water types are those that belong to the black water classification. This includes toilet backflows from beyond the toilet traps of any color, sewages, flood from seawater, ground surface water, and rising water from rivers and streams. These types of waters carry silt and organic structures that's causing the coloration of water. They contain pathogens that are grossly unsanitary for humans, animals, and other living things which are affected by the water damage.

It will be easier to deal with water damage when it is already classified. Therefore, it is a must that before drying or cleaning it up, one is already equipped with the right history to be able to exercise cautions. One can never know what water damage may bring, not only to one's property but also to one's health as contact is made with these waters. And as the level of contamination increases, the higher the need for history checks so as to enable an individual to exercise a higher level of precautionary measure.