Don’t Mess with Category 3 Black Water
Don’t Mess with Category 3 Black Water
Water damage in a home can be devastating, even more so when facing Category 3 water damage. It is important to act quickly and seek help. Below are answers to common questions concerning Category 3 and what to do if it happens to you.
How Does It Happen?
The most common sources of Category 3 water include:
- Broken sewer lines
- Backed-up sewer mains
- Extended rain events
- Flash floods
- Hurricane flooding
Is it dangerous?
Yes. The IICRC S500 (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) defines category 3 water is as follows;
Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogens and toxins.
Category 3 water can include, but not limited to: sewage, waste line backflows that originate from beyond the trap regardless of visible content or color. Even a small toilet overflow causes Category 3 damage when contaminated water spills onto the floor and surrounding areas.
Rising flood water is considered Category 3 because of the possibility of chemicals and organisms found in lawn chemicals, fertilizers, animal feces, decaying ground debris, and over filled sewer and septic systems. I can cause serious damage when it enters your home.
Can it spread?
Yes. Wood, walls and flooring are porous making it a food source for black water contaminants and a breeding ground for pathogens and fungus. Add that to the resulting humidity and stagnant air in a flooded house and you now have a perfect environment for bacteria and mold to grow inside walls and under floors.
Can I clean it myself?
No. According to the IICRC, the harmful agents can cause significant adverse reactions to humans if contacted or consumed. The contaminated water puts you at risk to serious diseases including:
- Hepatitis B and C
- Norovirus
- Tetanus
- West Nile virus
- Tuberculosis
- HIV / AIDS
What should I do?
Call Water Extraction Experts. We know exactly how to remedy a Category 3 situation.
Why call Water Extraction Experts?
We take extra steps to protect our technicians and our clients. Safety measures and PPE for our technicians are a must for their health and safety.
We install safety measures for our clients such as building containments around the affected areas, using HEPA air scrubbers to clean and purify the air quality during the process, applying antimicrobial to all affected surfaces, and going to extra lengths of our cleaning process.
We provide full restoration and repairs for all of our customers: for all categories of water damage. All porous materials that come into contact with category 3 water have to be removed and replaced. Any flooring, drywall, cabinets, trim work, painting, insulation; anything that we remove we also replace so that the customer is fully taken care of by our company and does not need another contractor to come in after us for repairs.
We want to help!
As you can see, Category 3 is dangerous and needs to be taken care of by a professional you can trust. You don’t have to face it alone. Call Water Extraction Experts! We use the most advanced technology in water damage mitigation and mold remediation to quickly get your home and your life back to normal again.
Water Extraction Experts
Emergency 24/7 Water Damage Restoration
Serving Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, East Mountain, and Surrounding Areas
Call: 505-808-2080
The Experts That Care!