The 3 Types of Water Damage Explained

One of the worst things that can happen to any home is a flood. Not only are floods a major inconvenience that can drive people out of their homes for days or months on end, but a build-up of water can cause major health problems and even damage the structure of your home. That’s why it’s so important to clean the water from a flood right away. But before you can start cleaning, you have to know what kind of water you’re going up against.

Clear Water

A burst pipe or rainwater can cause what we call clear or clean water to enter your home. Clean water has very few microbes living in it, which makes it easier to clean and less harmful to your family.

But often because the water is deemed “clean” people will not take it as seriously as a dark water flood, meaning they’ll leave it to air dry on its own. Even though clear water is not as dangerous as other types, it is still water and can cause mold to grow rapidly.

Gray Water

Gray water is considered to be slightly contaminated and may come from an overflowing toilet, washing machine, or dishwasher. Though it’s not advised, homeowners planning on cleaning gray water themselves should always wear masks and gloves.

To show once again just how important it is to clean clear water right away, it is possible for sitting clear water to turn into gray water.

Black Water

As the most dangerous type of water, homeowners should never take it upon themselves to clean black water. This type of water is considered highly contaminated and can harbor diseases, chemicals, and pesticides. Typically, black water makes its way into a home that suffered a flood months or years ago and was never tended to or via natural disaster.

It’s important to remember that terms like clear, gray, and black water are used to describe the level of contaminants in a water supply, not necessarily the color of it. While gray and black water often have a discolored tint to them, it is possible for contaminated water to appear clear.

If your home suffers a leaking pipe or serious clog, don’t let this small fix turn into a major problem. At the first sign of a leak or flood, call the pros over at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Southeast WI!