Here's how to tell the difference between clean, gray and black water for your Middle River water damage!

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers from a water damage, its critical to know the difference between the classes of contaminated water. There are 3 classes of water: Clean, Gray and Black. Understanding the class of water is quintessential into understanding the severity of your water damage and the risk it poses on those exposed.

Clean water: Generally, clean water is usually from a broken pipe, water from a hot water heater, or sink. Could you drink this water? If yes, then your water damage is coming from a clean water source. However, if the clean water has been left untreated for over 24 hours, the class will change.

Gray water: Water that is slightly contaminated, such as water from a clean water source that leaked through a ceiling, or clean water that was left untreated. Gray water contains bacteria and is where microbes will begin to multiply. While not as dangerous as black water, gray water still poses a health risk if ingested or interacted with. In addition, if left untreated it could cause further damage as well as become black water.

Black water: Water that is highly contaminated with fungi, bacteria, chemicals, viruses and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding, or any type of natural disaster. Black water should never be handled by the homeowner and should always be handled by a trained certified professional. Despite the name, black water is not always black; sometimes it appears clear. If it comes below a drain trap in a shower, washing machine or sink, and NOT the faucet, it’s considered black with an unknown contamination time.

Have a water damage in Perry Hall or Parkville?

If so, don’t wait! If you see signs of water damage in your home, investigate the cause. If it is coming from inside of the home, such as a sump pump or toilet overflow, first call a plumber to ensure that the water stops coming into your home. Then, call your local SERVPRO! A water damage specialist will be able to dry the structure, carpet, and hardwood, and salvage contents such as clothing and electronics but not everyone is equipped to do this: we are. We can help you restore your home to the way it was before.

Remember: Water damages are expensive to treat, but it is far more expensive to wait. If the water damage in your home is not treated by a professional within 48-72 hours of the initial leak, it will cause further damage not only to the structure, but to YOU too. In only 48-72 hours, bacteria will flourish and grow within the wet, moist, and humid environment of a water damage site.

*SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase is a locally owned and independently operated Franchise, nationally recognized by all insurance companies. We go anywhere we are called, and we will make it "Like it never even happened."