What Is Category 3 Water Damage and How To Recover From It

6/30/2019 (Permalink)

There is so much to consider when you experience flood water at your business in Elmhurst, IL. One of the many considerations is what category the water is and what kind of recovery the resulting level of damage requires. The worst possibility is category 3 water. It is important to understand what you are dealing with and how to protect yourself and employees.

What Is Category 3 Water Damage?

Category 3 water damage is the unhealthiest level. It occurs when highly contaminated water, or flood water, infiltrate materials such as wood and sheetrock, leading to poor environmental conditions. This type of liquid can come from broken sewer lines, severe weather conditions, flash floods, backed-up sewer mains, and even toilet overflow.

Why Is Category 3 Water Damage Dangerous?

There are serious health concerns involved with category 3 water damage. The highly contaminated black water can carry pathogens that can lead to communicable diseases such as hepatitis, tetanus, HIV, tuberculosis, and West Nile virus. The water can spread quickly through a building, making it very difficult to properly clean up all the materials in which it can permeate.

How Does a Business Recover from Category 3 Water Damage?

To recover from a flooding event, it is important to allow a professional company specializing in water damage repair to thoroughly clean your building. Make sure the company is certified in category 3 damage. These professionals can ensure you meet OSHA and EPA standards at your place of business for the sake of all employees. If possible, move your workplace to another location during the cleanup process. Using a professional cleaning company can help reduce the spread of pathogens, aid in the reconstruction of damaged structures, and help with recovering salvageable materials and personal belongings.

Cleaning up from a flood water event in your business is not easy. Do not risk your health and the health of your employees by trying to restore category 3 water damage by yourself. Call a professional instead.