Water Damage: Causes, Types, and Categories

Water damage can be a significant problem for homeowners and businesses alike. It can cause extensive damage to property and can lead to costly repairs. In this blog, we will discuss the different causes and types of water damage, as well as the three categories of water damage.

Causes of Water Damage

There are many different causes of water damage, including:

• Broken pipes
• Leaking roofs
• Clogged gutters
• Flooding
• Burst water heaters
• Washing machine or dishwasher overflows
• Air conditioner leaks
• Toilet overflows

Types of Water Damage

There are two main types of water damage:

• Clean water damage: This type of water damage is caused by water that is clean and free of contaminants. It is typically the least harmful type of water damage.
• Dirty water damage: This type of water damage is caused by water that contains contaminants, such as sewage or chemicals. It is more harmful than clean water damage and can pose a health risk.

Categories of Water Damage

Water damage is further classified into three categories based on the source of the water:

Category 1: Clean Water Damage

Category 1 water damage is caused by clean water sources, such as a broken pipe or a leaking roof.

Category 2: Gray Water Damage

Category 2 water damage is caused by water sources that contain some contaminants, such as a washing machine overflow or a dishwasher leak.

Category 3: Black Water Damage

Category 3 water damage is caused by water sources that are heavily contaminated, such as sewage or floodwater.