Category 3 Water Damage

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

How Dangerous Is The Flooding In My Home?

It is awful enough when the toilet overflows in your home or business. In addition to being nasty and damaging, toilet water, which is category 3 flood water, can be dangerous. It is imperative when dealing with category 3 floodwater to seek professional help immediately to assist you in the cleanup process.

Category 3 flood water, or black water, is highly contaminated water. This contaminated water contains harmful chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and funguses. Category 3 water differs from category 1 and 2 water because it is the most dangerous and polluted category of floodwater. The pathogens present in category 3 water can cause illnesses such as norovirus, tetanus, and hepatitis.

When you call SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County for flood restoration, our team will first assess the category of water involved in the flooding. If you suspect that the flooding maybe category 3, call for help immediately to stay safe. Professional help will be able to locate all of the water damage and have the tools to properly dry and decontaminate your property. 

When help arrives, they will assess and mitigate the damage with these steps:

1. Inspection and Assessment

When a SERVPRO professional arrives at your property after a flood, the first thing they will do is carefully inspect the water damage. They will determine what category of water you are dealing with and what areas were affected and need to be addressed. Professionals will wear proper PPE (personal protective equipment) including rubber boots and a respirator to prevent further spread of contamination from the area if necessary. All utilities including water, gas, and electricity will be turned off to address the flooding safely.

1. Water Extraction

After the assessment, the water is then extracted from the affected areas using pumps and vacuums. These tools are prepared to handle hundreds to thousands of gallons of water at a time. This will be done as quickly and effectively as possible to avoid mold growth or further contamination. Salvageable items will be separated out and sanitized in this step.

1. Drying

SERVPRO professionals will use specialized equipment in this step to dry the water damaged areas after the standing water has been removed. Professionals will also use dehumidifiers to get rid of any remaining moisture. This step commonly takes three days but can take longer in more severe situations.

1. Cleaning and Sanitizing

Water affects personal items such as furniture and clothing. SERVPRO, and when that water is unsanitary, properly cleaning personal items is essential. We will use a combination of detergents and sanitizers unique to your flood situation in order to disinfect your personal items and return them to being pre-flood condition.

Category 3 water damage is dangerous, and should be dealt with by a professional, and  SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County is experienced in handling any of your water damage needs in your Charlotte, NC home. For more information on categories of floodwater, visit our blog, or give us a call at (704) 840-6112, day or night.

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