Categories of Water Contamination and What That Means for Your Carpet

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Contamination can also be reliant on time, call SERVPRO for fast, reliable service.

When a water loss strikes many elements affect what type of remediation can take place. The water that is needing removed and dried will have a level of contamination that comes into play on what we can save and what must be removed to keep your home or business sanitary. In this scenario we will be discussing how depending on that level of contamination if it is possible to save your carpet.

When it comes to the cleanliness of the water there are three levels that we here at SERVPRO follow for our protocol:

• Category 1: Clean and Sanitary. Typically comes from a sanitary source such as faucet, toilet tanks, drinking fountains, or water heaters.
• Category 2: Grey Water which can cause illness or discomfort if ingested. Typical sources are dish washers, washing machine overflows, flush from sink drains, or toilet overflows with urine (no feces)
• Category 3: Black Water is grossly unsanitary which could cause health effects if ingested. This includes sewer backups, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid which has supported microbial growth.

These categories are also reliant on time, so a flood caused by a drinking fountain (Category 1 clean water) will become contaminated category 2 water after 48 hours. Another 24 hours after that it becomes a category 3 loss. The escalating level of these categories will largely affect what steps we take to ensure the job is done correctly.

With a category 1 loss, we are usually able to dry and save the carpet and pad unless there is a vapor barrier. The vapor barrier if not removed could cause mold and mildew.

With a category 2 loss we pull the pad and save the carpet. Once we dry the carpet, we spray our EPA registered disinfectant.

Finally with a category 3 loss we completely remove and dispose of the carpet and pad. In some instances, we must cut out the bottom portion of the walls if they got wet/contaminated.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will always be on site as quick as possible to avoid any further contamination caused by the water loss. Give us a call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (316) 684-6700.