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.