Grey Water or Black Water? Facts About Commercial Water Damage

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

When water invades your business, suddenly an essential resource becomes a threat to your property.

When water invades your business, suddenly an essential resource becomes a threat to your property. If your Doral, FL, business has sustained damage from water, it's important to assess the level of contamination as well as the extent of the damage. Whether a leaky dishwasher or encroaching floodwater caused your problem, you’ll want to understand the three water-contamination categories.

Category 1

This lowest level of contamination defines water that originates from clean-water sources, such as:

• a leaking ice maker or water dispenser
• a broken clean water pipe
• a roof leak
• an overflowing bathtub
• a leaking water heater
  
  

Cleaning up Category 1 water damage involves a basic water extraction and restoration process. It will generally be covered by your conventional business insurance policy.

Category 2

When water leaks from a shower, sink, or washing machine drain, it is called greywater. It may contain traces of grease, food, or dirt that make it more toxic than clean water but less toxic than flood water. During cleanup and restoration, disinfectants and other sanitation methods will minimize the spread of the contamination. Category 2 damage is generally covered by your business insurance.

Category 3

When stormwater enters your building from the exterior, or a toilet overflows, introducing sewage, you have Category 3 damage. This high-level contamination, also known as black water, requires professional cleanup and restoration services because it may contain bacteria, sewage or toxic chemicals. Restoration crews will wear specialized equipment and use elaborate filtration systems to safely extract the water and begin restoring your property.

If flood water caused your property damage, your business insurance would not provide coverage. Flood insurance is a specialized policy issued by the US government. Your insurance agent can explain the process.

When you experience a minor water leak or major storm damage, you’ll have some important decisions to make quickly. It’s crucial to determine your level of contamination, so you can employ the most suitable cleanup process and work toward restoring your business and your property to normalcy.