subject: Understanding How Different Kinds Of Water Damage Occur [print this page] Water damage can cause many types of problems, and it accounts for a significant portion of all loss of property. This is partly because such losses can come from many different sources, including both human and natural. In some cases they may be preventable, but in many other instances there is no way to foresee them. In particular, natural causes fall into the latter category. Problems may also occur quickly, as in flooding, or slowly, as in the case of a leaky pipe.
Extreme weather conditions are generally the source of natural causes not subject to human regulation. Houses and other edifices such as industrial and business offices may have roofs that leak during heavy rainfall. Torrential rain may also be responsible for flooding, as may tsunamis and tropical storm systems.
Human error and negligence are often to blame for property loss, whether due to worn pipes or improperly installed machinery or appliances. Leaking pipes and faulty gaskets are two examples of this. Another problem of human origin results from the incorrect disposal of items in sinks or toilets, which leads to clogging and overflowing. Sometimes it is a combination of natural and human causes that leads to problems, as a roof in disrepair leaking in a heavy rainstorm.
No matter what the source of the problem is, the type of material affected, and to what extent, will determine the seriousness of the results. Wet carpeting, as an example, may simply need to be allowed to dry out to return to its former state. In more dire circumstances, extensive cleaning and disinfecting may be required to reverse the damage. Ultimately, if the damaged item can not be repaired, replacement will be necessary.
How serious the damage is will be in part a function of the quality of water that has caused it. Excessive wetness from a leaky pipe or from a bath tub that has overflowed will be messy, but basically it is clean water compared with that from other sources. Toxic chemicals and harmful bacteria will be absent that might otherwise cause health problems.
A more serious level of contamination is called gray, and it is this that can cause disease and illness when in contact with humans and animals that may also consume it. A leaking sump pump would be an example of this, or the liquid from a toilet bowl without solids in it. This is a serious level of contamination, but not as potentially problematic as black.
The most serious type of contamination is known as black, and may contain bacteria, fungi, and toxic chemicals that threaten health. Raw sewage would be an example of the black level, as would river and ocean water overflow. Black water may also result from gray that has become stagnant and thus has permitted the development of toxins and harmful microbes.
The first treatment for water damage is to remove the excess moisture as soon as possible, using devices such as pumps or siphons. Of course, the source of the moisture, if it is something that can be fixed, should be stopped. The wet areas or objects must then be dried out using equipment including heaters and fans. Repairs as needed can then begin, which may entail treatment with anti-microbial substances to eliminate the presence of mildew or mold.
