Water Damage: Understanding Different Classes of Water

Water damage can strike at any moment. There are many different causes for water damage: from a simple leaking pipe to a completely flooded home from a pipe that busted. Just as there is many different types of causes for water damage, there are also some different types of water that can intrude into your home. These types of water are clean, gray, and black. I will discuss these types of water in more detail below.

Clean water – This type of water is usually from a busted or leaking pipe in your home or even from a faulty appliance. This type of water is the least concerning of the three types of water. This is because it is typically free from any type of contaminants, hence the term “clean.” Even though the water is clean, it still should be dealt with quickly as it can still lead to the development of mold and many other problems.

Gray water – Grey water is water that is slightly contaminated. This could be because of where the water came from or because it has sat over a period of time and became contaminated. When a washing machine or a toilet malfunctions, then this water would be considered grey because of where the water came from. When handling grey water, proper precautions should be exercised, such as the use of gloves and other protective wear.

Black water – Black water is water that is extremely contaminated and should not be dealt with by amateurs. Black water usually contains toxic materials such as bacteria and harmful chemicals. A professional should only handle this type of water.