What is Category 3 Water Damage?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

If flood water has invaded your business in Oviedo, FL, it is important to clean it quickly. Category 3 water can contain high levels of contaminants, making it unsafe to enter. If it sits for an extended period, mold can begin to grow and bacteria can multiply. The sooner the problem is remedied, the less damage you may have, and the faster you can be back in business.

What Is Category 3 Water?

There are three categories of water contamination. Category 1 has little to no contaminants, and Category 2 contains some contaminants. Category 3 is the dirtiest and can contain a variety of contaminants:

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Decaying organic matter
• Silt
• Pesticides
• Heavy metals
• Sewage

A toilet overflow is a common cause of Category 3 water because it can contain high levels of bacteria and viruses. Flood water is considered Category 3 water since it picks up everything along its path, including environmental toxins and e.coli.

How Can Things Return To Normal?
Most insurance companies cover water damage from a variety of sources, so the first thing you should do is contact your agent. Since it can be hazardous, it is best not to try to clean Category 3 water yourself. There are teams of professionals who are used to working through the entire process and know what needs to be done and in what order. A water remediation team can work to extract the excess water using specialized equipment and industrialized blowers to dry the area quickly. Experts can use an appropriate disinfectant or biocide to sanitize the area. If you have carpets, walls, or other structural materials that need to be removed, they can remove these and replace them with new materials.
Flood water damage can feel overwhelming. By working with a professional remediation company, you can have your workplace restored and business back to normal "Like it never even happened."