What is a Category 3 Water Damage? – Water Damage Restoration

What is a category 3 water damage? Category 3 water damage is a severe type of damage caused by contaminated water. Porous materials like sheetrock and wood get affected by this type of extensive water damage. The following section provides you a brief description of what is a category 3 water damage and its causes. It also explains the steps you need to take to clean and restore the affected area.

What is a Category 3 Water Damage?

Category 3 water damage is the worst type of damage to any home or business. It is usually caused by leakage of contaminated black water. Category 3 water contains bacteria and viruses that can cause harmful and infectious diseases. The most common sources of these contaminated water include

1. Broken sewer lines.
2. Clogged sewer lines.
3. Prolonged raining.
4. Flash floods.
5. Hurricane and cyclone flooding.

How does the Damage Spread so Quickly?

When the category 3 water reaches your walls and floors, it starts spreading germs and bacteria. The cellulose in walls and floor serve as a food source for these bacteria. The porous materials can form a breeding ground for these bacteria, pathogens, and fungi.

The high humidity, warm temperatures, and stagnant air create a suitable environment for the bacteria and mold to grow. They spread and cause infectious diseases to children and older adults. The water also damages the furniture and upholsteries in your home when it comes in contact with the water.

Why You Can’t Clean up the Damage?

Damage by flood water has the potential to cause serious health risks. Category 3 flooding is dangerous to life and health as it has bacteria and viruses. Category 3 water can spread diseases such as hepatitis b and c, tetanus, tuberculosis, and HIV.

Cleaning such water damaged areas needs professional experience and expert knowledge. It needs to be done effectively, by the use of proper tools and disinfectants. It includes removing the contaminated water, drying up the area and treating the affected area with chemicals. It is further cleaned and ensured to prevent the spread of bacteria and molds. A professional restoration contractor has all the required tools and expertise to clean. You do not have these tools, expertise and complete know-how of cleaning the affected area.

What You Should do to Cleanup

When your home or business is damaged by category 3 water, you need to immediately hire a professional water damage contractors. The affected area needs to be cleaned within 24 hours to prevent further water damage. Professional restoration contractors are well trained and experienced in these tasks. They have the required tools and equipment to remove the contaminated water, dry up the wet area. It has to be further treated with chemicals and disinfectants to prevent the spread of diseases.

When you call a professional restoration company, you get the following benefits.

What is a Category 3 Water Damage?

1. Reduce the spread of dangerous bacteria and viruses.
2. Control and prevent the formation of mold.
3. Cleanup and restoration of the damaged area.
4. Prevent further damage and recover furniture and accessories that can be reused.

Will Insurance Cover Your Damage?

Most of the homeowners’ insurance policy covers water damage. You may need a separate policy to cover damages due to flooding. Your water damage restoration team works on your behalf with your insurance company. They will help you to handle all the insurance paperwork and get compensation for the water damage.

In Conclusion

The above has provided you an overview of what is a category 3 water damage. We have covered the sources of category 3 water, its damages and how to clean and restore the affected area. It also explained why you cannot clean and need a professional restoration team.