When you hear about water damage, you probably categorize it by what was damaged: ceiling or walls, floors, basement, or roof. While all of these are common spots for water damage to arise, most water damage is categorized based on what type of water caused the damage in the beginning. In fact, there are three different types of water damage based on the contamination level of the water, each of which needs a specific approach to clean up and restore.
When water damage occurs, most Oviedo property owners just want to get things back to normal. But to do that as efficiently as possible, it’s important 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 flows from broken plumbing in and around the house, for instance, sinks and bathtubs, appliance hoses, and supply lines. Clean water damage is the fastest to prevent and wipe down after because there is no fear of contamination or toxins in the water.
While even clean water can cause mold if the water damage is not dealt with correctly, in some cases, clean water damage can be handled by the tenant, Oviedo property manager, property owner, or if bad enough, by a restoration company.
Category 2: Greywater
The second type of water damage is greywater damage. Greywater (also 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 just water – it possesses chemicals, soap residue, detergent, and waste. Due to that, water damage caused by greywater can be more challenging to clean up. The affected area must be replaced and disinfected before being safe for continued use.
Category 3: Blackwater
The third main type of water damage is blackwater damage. Blackwater damage is the most dangerous type of water damage since it poses serious health risks. Blackwater commonly comes from sewage, seawater, river or groundwater, and even dishwashers. Blackwater contains deadly bacteria and diseases, which signifies you’ll need skilled professionals to help you resolve and restore your property after blackwater damage.
Any goods or materials damaged with blackwater must be removed and destroyed – they cannot be cleaned up. This covers flooring, drywall, furniture, doors, and so forth. Afterward, the structures underneath must be completely dried and disinfected before renovations can proceed.
Water damage can be tough to cope with, both for you and your tenants. It’s critical to learn how to handle the different types of water damage to guarantee their safety and quickly restore your property to habitable.
The best approach to repair and prevent water damage is to work with Real Property Management Vanguard to manage your rental. Our team of rental property management experts can easily 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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