During the onset of Hurricane Katrina, many homes were damaged not just by the impact of the storm, but mostly by the extreme cases of water damage that resulted from the onslaught of many days of consistent rain and flooding that did not dissipate for a long time. Water can cause long term damage to homes, and the hazard levels of water content can be categorized into three main types.
Clean water is the first category of water content, wherein the potable water that comes from the main water supply of a home or office has found a way out of its usual path. When there is a leak in the pipeline, or an appliance malfunctions while it is attached to a water source, these are the causes of water damage that can be quickly contained, and cause minimal damage to a home.
The damage caused by this first category does not pose any health or safety hazards to humans, although it can be a major problem if not fixed right away. Such a leak could, however, cause significant damage in materials all around the immediate area such as propagating wood rotting or destruction of laminate in plywood. Minor damage from water spots may not be noticed right away, but can gradually get worse with time.
The second category of water is that which can pose a potential or significant health risk to humans, causing major problems from exposure. This type of water is known as grey water that has been contaminated by chemical, physical, or biological factors. This type of damage is that caused by failures of sump pumps in water tank areas, drains such as those in toilet bowls, and water discharge seeping from washing machines or dishwashers.
There are insurance policies that need to be amended to state that they have sewer and drain coverage before they will actually pay for these damages, and this means an added fee to the monthly premium. Once this is amended however, the policy holder can at least claim damages for such issues, especially since these things do happen in some homes, and it is best to get the additional coverage.
Finally, black water which is present in the third category is the most hazardous type of water that can cause serious health problems. This is a big issue for many people whose homes have been affected by flooding due to natural causes, damaged sewage systems, and overflow of rivers and seawater.
Category three or black water can also be a classification given to water that has been left to stagnate in a certain area for more than seventy two hours – causing more damage than originally anticipated. This category is given regardless of color of the water or any visible content, since it may have already developed potentially harmful organisms by being stagnant.
Health hazards do not necessarily show themselves during the time of water presence, and in fact these health issues may occur long after the damage has been done and already cleared. The dampness left behind by water is conducive to the growth of mold which may cause nasal allergies as well as airborne diseases, especially if they are left to grow inside vents. It is best to find professionals to remove mold and trace areas wherein they may grow in order to eliminate the problem while it is still in its early stages.
There are also different ways to restore property that has been ruined by water damage, however this may cost quite a lot as it requires trained experts to completely clear out the area and repair what is necessary. Many of these professionals are experts in the field of restoration for areas damaged by fire and water, and they have complete equipment which helps them do their jobs in the quickest possible time.
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