Discover the impacts of contaminated water and learn how to safeguard your home and family with this guide from the experts at ServiceMaster Restore UK.

Water damage can be a devastating and hazardous experience for homeowners, whether it is confined to the basement or spreads throughout the entire house.

It’s essential to understand the various types of contaminated water and their potential effects on your family’s health.

What is contaminated water?

According to Environment Law, water can be contaminated by:

• Agricultural pollution
• Sewage and wastewater
• Oil pollution
• Radioactive substances
• River and marine dumping

What threats does contaminated water pose?

Contaminated water poses a serious threat to your health and property.

After water damage, using the proper methods to clean and disinfect every area of your home is essential.

Since water damage can come from a variety of sources, the cleanup procedures and safety protocols used will vary.

For example, restoring a home damaged by a broken pipe or an overflowing sink will differ from restoring one impacted by severe flood damage.

The types

Water damage, ranging from roof leaks to severe flooding, is a common issue many homeowners face and can be quite destructive.

There are three main types of water damage:

Category 1 – Clean water

Water damage classified as Category 1 originates from clean and sanitary sources, such as:

• Broken water supply lines
• Bathtubs or
• Sink overflows

Although Category 1 water is generally harmless to humans and pets, it can still cause a potential risk to your home.

If left untreated, Category 1 water may cause toxic mould growth within 24 to 48 hours.

Mould can cause a significant amount of damage to the structure of your home, your health and your belongings.

Category 2 – Grey Water

Category 2 water contamination includes chemical, biological, and physical contaminants.

This type of water has not come into contact with faecal matter. However, it may still contain other harmful substances that could cause illness if ingested.

If these contaminants are not removed, Category 2 water can be reclassified as Category 3 within as little as 48 hours.

Category 3 – Black Water

Category 3 water contamination is the most unsanitary and dangerous type. It can originate from raw sewage or natural disasters such as floods.

This type of water is a breeding ground for bacteria, pathogens, and other organisms that can cause disease.

Due to the hazardous nature of this contamination, porous materials like drywall, upholstery, and carpets become completely unsalvageable.

Risks to your home

If you have contaminated water in your home, it is crucial to begin cleanup and restoration immediately to minimise damage.

Unfortunately, most items that come into contact with Category 3 water must be removed due to the risk of harmful bacteria.

Protect your home against contaminated water damage

From a burst pipe to extreme weather, we’ll handle flood & water damage quickly and effectively, 24/7, 365 days a year.

By sorting the incident quickly, we’ll minimise any disruption to your business and keep the damage low, saving you time, money and hassle in the long run.

We also offer leak detection services to help you spot and prevent water damage before it occurs.

To learn more about how we can help restore your property, call us direct on 0845 762 6828 or find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business today.