Disaster damage, the dreaded two words that every property owner hates to hear but most likely has experienced. When there’s a heavy thunderstorm or a drastic change in weather that results in a quick snow melt, this type of home property damage often occurs. Thousands of dollars worth of destruction all due to water. damages wood furniture, upholstery, household appliances, electronics, and plumbing equipment. If damage is not treated quickly enough, it can also increase the chance of mold growth which can be life threatening and costly to fix. Hiring a restoration professionals for these emergencies can make the cleanup process easier to handle, prevent ongoing issues, and these types of professionals know the best and most efficient way to handle damage cleanup and repair.

Causes of disaster damage

Several things can cause damage; broken pipes, clogged toilets, leaky dishwashers or showers, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs, plumbing leaks, foundation cracks, the list goes on and on. Other weather related causes of damage are floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain. Often, this results in basements being flooded or can result in the destruction of a home or business. It is vital to start the restoration process immediately to increase the likelihood of saving damaged carpets, rugs, clothing, furniture and more.

Categories of disaster damage

It’s important to decipher the severity of the damage to determine what is needed to start the damage repair and removal process. It’s important to properly access the category to prevent severe injury or death. A Category 1 type damage is damage caused by clean water or water that not pose a threat to humans or pets. This could be water from broken appliances, or sink overflowing. A Category 2 is also called grey water, and this water can be dangerous. It can cause sickness if ingested and contains microorganisms. Causes of a Category 2 damage include dishwasher or washing machine overflows, toilet overflow with some urine but not feces, flush from sink drains. The last category of damage is Category 3 or black water. This type of water is unsanitary and contains bacteria or other sickness inducing organisms. Causes of this type of damage are sewage problems and standing water that has been contaminated.

The water restoration process can begin when the damage Category has been identified. Stay tuned for the next article on the Restoration Process and more information on potential health hazards.