A house is often considered as one of our biggest investments, which is why necessary steps have to be taken in order to protect it from damages. However, water damage, which is a common issue in most homes, can still happen no matter how many precautions are taken.
Water damage stems from a variety of sources and can come in different forms, each requiring different treatments. Learn about them from the professionals at ServiceMaster by Reed.
Common Causes Of Water Damage
- Appliances – faulty or corroded
- Badly fitted bathroom tiles
- Baths – poorly plumbed in or unattended
- Blocked guttering
- Blocked sewers and sewage backflow
- Broken aquariums
- Broken or poor-fitting shower screens and curtains
- Corroded ball valves in toilet cisterns
- Drainage – poor or insufficient (around foundations)
- DIY, i.e. nailing into pipes
- External flooding
- Flashing around chimney – damaged or poorly installed
- Hot water cylinders – poorly maintained
- Insufficient threshold on external doors
- Leaking radiators
- Old corroded pipework
- Pipes in the loft – broken or frozen
- Poorly installed or broken windows
- Poorly maintained boilers
- Poorly maintained or open chimneys
- Roof tiles – missing or broken
- Shower trays – broken or badly fitted
- Storm drain overflow
- Unattended or blocked sinks
Water damage must be treated as early as possible in order to avoid material and structural damage, as well as health risks associated with mold growth. Mold exposure can cause the following:
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Skin rashes
- Asthma attacks
Water comes in different categories, which are necessary to the water damage restoration process. Here are the three categories of water according to the IICRC Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration (IICRC S500):
- Category 1 – clean water, or water that is safe for and is not a threat to humans. This type of water can come from faulty appliances or sink overflows.
- Category 2 – gray water. This indicates that the water is contaminated and could cause illness if consumed. This water is teeming with microbes. Broken toilets, sump pumps, and seepage all have the potential to create Category 2 water.
- Category 3 – black water. This type of water is unhygienic because it contains germs and other pathogenic microorganisms. Black water damage may be caused by sewage problems or contamination of standing water.
Classes of Water Damage
Determining the class of water damage is also important when assessing water damage repair options.
Class 1
Class 1 is the least harmful. Materials absorb a negligible amount of water as a result of this form of damage. Water damage restoration is the easiest in this case.
Class 2
Due to its rapid evaporation rate, Class 2 may cause damage to carpets and upholstery. Water damage repair is more challenging.
Class 3
Class 3 evaporates at the quickest rate. In this situation, the water may have been soaked into the walls and furniture by damaged sprinklers or other above sources.
Class 4
Class 4 necessitates the use of specialized water repair and water removal techniques. This form of damage is particularly destructive to hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.
How to Keep Your Family Safe from Contaminated Water
- Keep children and pets away from the affected area.
- Contact your insurance company and let them know a restoration team is on their way. Take pictures of the damage as proof for your insurance adjuster.
- Stop the further spread of contamination by keeping the area contained as best as possible.
- Be sure to use personal protective equipment such, as face masks, rubber gloves and boots, and impervious coveralls if you have to go into the area.
- Turn off all electrical power to your home in the affected area.
- Turn off the water supply and any running water into the home or area.
Schedule an Appointment in Miami, Florida
ServiceMaster by Reed is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (954) 922-2020 to provide residential and commercial water damage restoration in Miami, Florida and the surrounding areas.
- We offer FREE estimates for all insurance claims
- We bill insurance directly, so you don't have to
- 100% guaranteed work with years of industry experience
You may also connect with us online to schedule an appointment, or email us at smreedoffice1@aol.com. Our office is located in 1210 Stirling Rd. Unit # 8A Dania Beach, FL 33004.
An independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore®.