What Is Category 3 Water Damage?

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Black water is likely to be contaminated. It may contain bacteria, viruses, parasites, or dangerous chemicals that other types of water are unlikely to have. When encountering this type of water, you should take precautions to keep yourself protected because exposure to this water is not considered safe.

What Are the Dangers?

Black water can come from many sources. Inside homes, it usually comes from toilets that have overflowed or from floodwaters that have picked up contaminants such as sewage and animal waste. This water can carry many potential hazards:

• E. coli
  
• Norovirus
  
• Intestinal worms
  
• Salmonella
  
• Rotavirus
  
  

What Are the Clean-up Methods?

Whether you are faced with a basement flood due to rising floodwaters or a sewage cleanup in your bathroom, you should treat the water as if it is contaminated. Protect yourself by staying out of the water whenever possible. If you must enter, wear protective clothing and gloves. Ensure the water does not enter your mouth or any open wounds. If you can stop the inflow of water, that should be the first thing you do. You may prefer to clean and sterilize minor accidents yourself, but unless the water damage is contained to a very small area, you may need the help of a professional. Professionals can safely extract the water, dry, and disinfect the area. They use specialized tools, machines, and disinfectants to dry larger areas quickly, reducing the likelihood of contaminants in your home. If you have sustained damage to structural items due to category 3 water, they can remove and replace these items for you.
If you experience black water in or near your home in Slaughterville, OK, remain calm and do your best to stay out of the water. Although it can be a scary situation, with the help of a professional water restoration company, you will soon be on your way to a clean and healthy home.