Category 1: “Clean” Water - Clean water is just that, water that doesn't pose any harm when it comes in contact with living elements and doesn't contain any contaminants. Clean water comes from a potable supply line. If water passes through or comes in contact with other areas, it may mix with soils and other contaminants from walls, decking, sub flooring, floor coverings and other building materials, making it no longer potable. If “clean” water is left alone over time it will accelerate the growth of bacteria and will become “gray” or “black” water. Any Category 1 water damage will change to Category 2 after 48 hours.
Examples of clean water sources can include:
- Water supply lines (plumbing pipes, fixtures, or washing machine and toilet supply connections)
- Rainwater or melting ice
Examples of gray water include but are not limited to:
- Water discharge from household appliances (Washing machine, dishwasher drains)
- Overflow from toilet bowl containing some urine but no feces.
- Broken or punctured aquarium, waterbed or other source of chemically treated water.
Examples of black water include but are not limited to:
- Toilet water back flow beyond the toilet trap
- Sewer water, or sewage backup
- Ground, surface, or seawater water
- Rising water from natural bodies of water
Note: Do not try to remove black water yourself, it is extremely dangerous! Allowing black water to remain in an area will quickly make a bad situation worse. Stay out of contact with it and call Superior Steam Cleaners immediately!