Water Categorization: Category Two

4/18/2019 (Permalink)

Floodwater has three categories and four classifications, and the hazardousness of the water increases with each ascending scale.

Floodwater has three categories and four classifications, and the hazardousness of the water increases with each ascending scale. Therefore, category one, class one is the least concern in terms of water damage, with category four, class four being the most concerning. Category two falls in the middle of the spectrum, and there are many likely causes, like a failed water pipe repair, that may have led to its development.

1. Category Two

Category two likely started from a sanitary broken pipe, meaning that it originated as clean water and then became contaminated over time. While this type of water started from a clean source, it would now be considered grey water, and it should not be consumed at this point.

2. Standing Water

While a water pipe repair may have fixed the initial issue, the water that was left standing after the break has had time to absorb chemicals and bacteria. The waiting and absorption can cause an escalation in classification and category because the water becomes contaminated and unsafe.

3. Soaking Through

As stated previously, waiting too long after an area has flooded from a sanitary source allows for absorption and an increased categorization. However, this transformation also occurs when the clean water soaks through from a higher level to a lower one. The water passes through building materials and collects contaminants along the way, meaning that the water can be category one on an upper level but category two on a lower level.

4. Proper Handling

A plumbing specialist in the Cincinnati, OH area should be called in to handle the removal and cleanup of category two water damage because of the health risks. Gray water is not safe to consume or touch, and it should be dealt with rapidly to avoid further deterioration and contamination.

There are several tiers to water categorization, and while a water pipe repair may stop the flooding from a clean source, the standing water can quickly transform into category two or worse. Therefore, when a pipe breaks or your building experiences flooding, call in a professional.