Recovery Services

Types of Water Damage Including Sewage

The Water Source is Key to Proper Cleaning

Clean Water

This water originates from a source not posing substantial harm to humans.

Sources of clean water include broken water supply lines, sink overflows with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines, melting snow, falling rain water, broken toilet tanks, and toilet bowls that do not contain contaminants or additives.

Clean Water becomes “Gray Water” if left untreated for 72 hours.

Gray Water

Gray water contains a significant level of contamination, microorganisms and nutrients for microorganisms. It has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness in humans.

Sources of gray water include discharge or overflows from dishwashers, washing machines, or toilet bowls (with some urine but no feces); sump pump failures; seepage due to hydrostatic pressure; and broken aquariums.

Gray water may contain chemicals, biocontaminants, and other forms of contamination including physical hazards and is unsuitable for consumption. When affected with gray water, the carpet pad must be removed and disposed of properly. Salvagable carpet must be cleaned with hot water extraction.

Gray Water becomes “Black Water” in 48 hours or less when left untreated.

Black Water

Black water includes sewage and contains pathogenic agents and is extremely unsanitary and dangerous to health. In a black water emergency, sewage and other contaminated water sources enter or affect your indoor environment.

Sources of black water include toilet backflows that originate from beyond the toilet trap, and flooding from seawater, ground surface water, and rising water from rivers and streams carrying silt and organic matter into structures. Carpet and padding must be removed and disposed of properly after a black water loss.

Regulated Materials

Regulated materials pose potential or recognized health risks.They may require a specialized expert to assess the damage and assist with clean-up.

These materials include, but are not limited to, arsenic, mercury, lead, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, fuels, solvents, caustic chemicals, and radiological residues.