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[A450]All Types Of Water

by Isolde Werry, Iso

Water damage can be described as the damage or loss occurring due to the encroachment of water into buildings. Most common sources of water damage are floods, rains, leaky pipes, clogs in gutter, unbalanced ducts and vents, ice dams and faulty water-intensive appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines.

Water damage has many harmful effects. It can lower the quality of air inside the house, provide the perfect conditions for the growth of molds, act as a breeding ground for insects and viruses, cause structural damage to buildings and damage the interior decorations of the house.

The extent of water damages in your belongings and house structure largely depends on the type of water that caused the damage. You'll find that the process involved in cleaning and repairing water-damaged items vary also depending on these categories.

Water Damage is classified into 3 categories, namely clean water, gray water and black water.

Category 1: Clean Water
Clean water usually refers to water damage from leaky pipes, broken water lines, overflow of water from faucets, bath-tubs and sinks or rain-water. This water is frequently clear in appearance and does not pose any major health hazard. When this type comes in contact with your possessions, this is the easiest to clean and restore. However, you should still identify the source and fix the problem as soon as possible.

Category 2: Gray Water
Gray Water is water that is partially contaminated. This includes water from toilet bowls, dishwashers, washing machines, broken aquarium, sump pump failures and water seepage. They contain some form of contaminants and micro-organisms that can cause a certain degree of discomfort or mild sickness. This has to be removed immediately because over a period of time this gray water can become black water.

Category 3: Black Water
Black Water is water that is extremely dirty and unhygienic. It can come from leaky sewage, stagnated gray water, seawater, floods and rising ground water. They provide a perfect breeding ground for insects and other bacteria. They may also contain many harmful materials like toxins, heavy metals and pesticides. They are very dangerous and can cause severe health hazard for anyone who comes in contact with it. This is an emergency situation and steps to remove the water must be taken without any delay.

Water Damage Restoration

There are many water restoration methods depending upon the category of water damage. Water restoration is the process that utilizes some techniques to bring back a certain structure or item to its pre-damaged condition. The primary processes in any water restoration methods are: drying out the wet areas, cleaning up the place and using anti-bacterial sanitizers.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration certification (IICRC) lays down certain standards for water restoration. Because of the unique nature of each water damage case, it is impractical to lay down specific rules.

The most popular method is to hire the services of a professional water restoration company. They will have the right expertise and equipment to restore the property from water damage.

Water damage is caused by a number of things including flooding, burst or leaky pipes, fire hoses, and regular humidity. Water damage is typically very severe because it impacts every aspect of your home. It can rots the wood in your floors, furniture and walls. It can rust the steel and other metal items. It can de-laminate plywood. It can completely ruin important documents, family photos and memorabilia.

To protect your home from water damage you must first understand the various types of water and the damage it can cause. The three classifications of water that causes damages are Clean, Grey and Black.

Clean Water

This type of water damage does not pose a health risk to humans and is really just incredibly annoying. An overflowing sink or tub or leaky appliance are examples of Clean Water damages.

Grey Water

This type refers to water that contains degrees of chemical, biological or physical contaminants. This can lead to sickness in humans and animals if consumed or exposed. Toilet bowls, dishwashers and washing machine leaks are the most common kinds of Grey Water.

Black Water

This classification contains highly unsanitary agents such as bacteria and fungus which can lead to severe illness. This classification is most rare and comes mainly from sewage, seawater, and contaminated river or stream water.

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage restoration techniques vary greatly depending on the water classification. It is important to know what classification of water you are dealing with before you attempt any restoration projects. If you suspect the water to be of either Grey or Black classification, contact your state environmental protection agency or the water bureau to have your home evaluated.

There are primarily two good techniques used to restore water damaged materials (documents, photos, books, etc).

Desiccant Dehumidification

This restoration process removes moisture from the air quickly and safely, effectively salvaging important documents and helping prevent mold growth. The process involves dehumidifying the air surrounding the damaged documents or personal effect, allowing the water molecules trapped in the damaged items to escape into the air. Desiccant dehumidification is a great restoration option available through some document reprocessing services. It is especially beneficial for businesses and government agencies because the process allows for documents to be accessible for use throughout the process should the need arise.

Freeze-Drying

This process is best for books, binders, and any bound printed matter. Freeze-drying restoration works on a similar premise as dehumidification but in a contained chamber and at much lower temperature. If you can, find a service that offers vacuum freeze-drying as this process will not warp the way regular freeze-drying can.

Time is of the essence when it comes to water damage. Starting the process of restoring your assets as soon as possible will increase the likelihood that your items can be restored to a usable state again. Additionally, mold can quickly become a secondary effect of water damage if time is allowed to pass. To help move quickly after a flood or other water damage, have an emergency plan in place ahead of time.

Water damage has the potential to ruin an entire business or home. Pre-planning and education coupled with a fast-acting, properly equipped damage recovery team can make all the difference in your life returning back to normal.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Article Source : Pg. 49

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Both Isolde Werry & Ben Anton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Isolde Werry has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Carpet Cleaning and Upholstery and Pets. Isolde Werry researches restoration items for homeowners for and. Isolde Werry's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

Ben Anton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Software, Home and Writing. Want to learn more about ? Visit the Rapid Refile website today, and read about the latest in. Ben Anton's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.