When you hear about water damage, the odds are that you rapidly categorize it by what was damaged: ceiling or walls, floors, basement, or roof. While these are all ordinary places for water damage to arise, most water damage is categorized based on what type of water caused the damage at the beginning. Truthfully, there are three different types of water damage based on the contamination level of the water, each of which demands distinct strategies to clean up and restore.
When water damage occurs, most Kuna property owners wish to return things to normal. However, to achieve it as quickly as possible, it’s imperative to know what the different categories of water damage are and what to do to address and repair your property after each one.
Category 1: Clean Water
The most typical kind of water damage inside residential properties is clean water damage. Clean water comes from broken plumbing in and around the house, such as sinks and bathtubs, appliance hoses, and supply lines. Clean water damage is the easiest to prevent and clear up after since there is no sign of contamination or toxins in the water.
While even clean water can cause mold if the water damage is not addressed correctly, in most circumstances, clean water damage can be handled by the tenant, Kuna property manager, property owner, or if critical enough, by a restoration company.
Category 2: Greywater
The second type of water damage is greywater damage. Greywater (often spelled graywater) is water that has been used previously. In a residential setting, greywater comes from the washing machine, the toilets, and bathtub drains. This wastewater is not only water – it has chemicals, soap residue, detergent, and waste. In that case, water damage caused by greywater can be tougher to clear up. The affected area must be replaced and disinfected before being safe to utilize again.
Category 3: Blackwater
The third main type of water damage is blackwater damage. Blackwater damage is the most catastrophic kind of water damage because it may bring serious health risks. Blackwater typically contains sewage, seawater, river or groundwater, and even water from dishwashers. Blackwater possesses hazardous bacteria and diseases, meaning you’ll need the best professionals to help you clear up and restore your property after blackwater damage.
Any items or materials damaged with blackwater must be removed and destroyed – they cannot be cleaned up. This comprises flooring, drywall, furniture, doors, and all that. Then, the structures underneath must be completely dried and disinfected before renovations kick-off.
Water damage may be challenging to manage, both for you and your tenants. It’s necessary to learn how to handle the different types of water damage to ensure their safety and easily restore your property to habitable.
The easiest solution to repair and prevent water damage is to contact Real Property Management Boise to manage your rental. Our team of rental property management experts can immediately assess the situation and take the appropriate steps to get your rental property back to business as usual. Contact us online to learn more.
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