Not all water damage restoration service companies are the same. When you are facing an emergency flood, plumbing leak, sewage backup, slab leak, pipe burst or other water disaster, it is crucial to contact a trusted provider for immediate and efficient service. Contact the team at Bill Howe Restoration and Flood for expert emergency water remediation services.

Understanding Water Damage
Water damage occurs where excess water accumulates in areas it shouldn’t. Knowing what the usual causes of water damage are, you can take the necessary precautions to protect your property. By staying diligent and keeping an eye on the causes of water damage, you can spot the problem when it happens and mitigate the chances of significant water damage or mold growth. When you do notice a problem, make sure to call the experts at Bill Howe Restoration & Flood to help fix the problem.

Some causes of water damage are bursting or leaking pipes, water heater leaks, water buildup in crawl spaces, attics or basements, broken appliances, issues with your HVAC system, and natural disasters. If water or moisture builds up due to any of these causes, mold, fungus and bacteria can grow, damage to your property can occur and major problems can develop. If you notice water intrusion or damage, addressing it quickly is key.

Water Damage Assessment
Water damage comes in three distinct categories. Our San Diego water damage restoration service team is able to categorize your water loss based on the length of time the water has affected the structure, the temperature of the affected materials, and assessing pre-existing conditions. With this knowledge, your water damage can easily be remediated, and your home or commercial building restored to its original state using extraction and evaporation.

There are 3 categories of water involved in water loss: clean, gray, and black.

Category 1 Water Damage
Often referred to as “clean” water because the source does not pose substantial harm to humans. Some clean water sources may include broken water supply lines, bathtub or sink overflows with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines, melting ice, or falling rainwater, that has not flowed over soil or through structural components. Even broken toilet tanks and bowls do not contain contaminants or additives. But, once a clean water source contacts other surfaces or materials, the condition may change as it dissolves or mixes with soils and possible contaminations over time.

In San Diego, plumbers at Bill Howe often encounter minor category 1 water damage when responding to burst supply lines underneath sinks.

Category 2 Water Damage
Also known as “grey“ water contains some degree of contamination and is considered unsanitary. Category 2 water could potentially cause discomfort or sickness if consumed and carries microorganisms. Gray water examples can include discharge from dishwashers or washing machines, overflows from washing machines, and overflows of toilet bowls with liquid waste. All of these may contain chemicals or bio-contaminants (fungal, bacterial, viral, or algae) or other forms of contamination. Time and temperature can aggravate Category 2 water contamination significantly.

Structures that remain untreated longer than 48 hours can change from category 2 to category 3.

Category 3 Water Damage
Known as “black” water, category 3 is severe water loss and is harmful to individuals. Blackwater can originate from the main sewer overflows, storm waters, and/or standing waters and ground surface waters.

Category 3 contaminated water contains unsanitary bacteria, fungi, pathogens, and can cause serious illness requiring specialized containment and mitigation.