What Is Category 2 Water Damage and How Do You Treat It?

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

An overflowing toilet can cause Category 2 water damage

Water damage is not always the same, whether it be caused by storm flooding or a faulty water pipe repair. It is comprised of three categories classified by contamination level: clean water (Category 1), gray water (Category 2) and black water (Category 3). This guide offers information about gray water in the event it impacts your Chandler, AZ, business.

What Is Category 2 Damage?

Gray water features a heavy amount of contaminants in it, making it more harmful than clean water, but not as unsanitary as black water. Properties found within gray water may include any of the following:

• Chemicals, such as detergents
  
• Biological contaminants, such as urine
  
• Microorganisms that could be harmful
  
  

What Causes Category 2 Damage?
A number of issues can cause Category 2 water damage. In a commercial space, this may include sump pump failure, a broken pipe, an overflowing toilet without feces, or even clean water that has either seeped through building materials or sat long enough to support the growth of microorganisms. A water pipe repair, sump pump replacement or structural restoration could be necessary depending on the cause and total damage.

How Do You Treat a Space Flooded With Category 2 Water?
Immediately call a water damage mitigation company. Only these professionals are suited to safely extract the contaminated water, sanitize the space and repair any damage. Acting quickly prevents the water from escalating to Category 3 damage, which can occur within 24 to 48 hours. 

How Do You Prevent Water Damage?
Be sure to do routine plumbing maintenance to detect when your space needs a water pipe repair or sump pump replaced before there is significant water damage. Staying on top of this maintenance is the best way to limit water issues within your business.
Gray water is cause for concern and requires swift attention if it impacts your business along with cautionary measures to prevent it from occurring.