Categories and Classes of Water Damage

You go through the proper steps to protect your home, but sometimes accidents happen and you are left with costly damages. You should take water damage seriously because it can cause your family to vacate your property. If you notice any type of water damage in your home, it is important to know what type of damage is occurring.  It is crucial to know the different types of water along with the various classifications of water damage.

Professional Water Damage Restoration Company 

If you’ve been hit by water damage, don’t hesitate to call ServiceMaster by LoveJoy. We can help professionally restore any damaged area. If you just have questions about disaster prevention, let us know, too. Being properly prepared is essential for your safety and well-being.

We offer damage restoration services such as: 

• Water damage restoration service
• Drying and Dehumidification 
• Document Restoration 
• Sewer Backup
• Water Damage Restoration and Repair
  
  

What Are The Common Causes Of Water Damage? 

• Pipes in the loft – broken or frozen;
• Blocked guttering;
• Storage tanks – leaky or over-flowing;
• Badly fitted bathroom tiles;
• Broken or poor-fitting shower screens and curtains;
• Shower trays – broken or badly fitted;
• Baths – poorly plumbed in or unattended;
• Poorly maintained sealant around bath and shower;
• Poorly maintained or open chimneys;
• Flashing around chimney – damaged or poorly installed;
• Roof tiles – missing or broken;
• Poorly installed or broken windows;
• Defrosted fridges and ice machines;
• Damp-proof course – failed or missing;
• Insufficient or low-lying air bricks;
• Damp-proof course – bridged;
• Old corroded pipework;
• DIY, i.e. nailing into pipes;
• Leaking radiators;
• Corroded ball valves in toilet cisterns;
• Blocked sewers and sewage backflow;
• Unattended or blocked sinks;
• Appliances – faulty or corroded;
• Storm drain overflow;
• Drainage – poor or insufficient (around foundations);
• External flooding;
• Insufficient threshold on external doors;
• Poorly maintained boilers;
• Hot water cylinders – poorly maintained; and
• Broken aquariums.
  
  

Dangers Of Not Treating The Source Of  Water Damage 

It is important that property owners are able to pick out possible water damage as early as possible and to find experienced professionals to accurately find the source of the water damage if it isn’t obvious.

There are health risks linked to water damage one must be aware of. A common health risk is seen (or unseen) mold. A build-up of this can cause symptoms such as: 

• Coughing
• Fatigue 
• Skin rashes
  
  

Categories and Classes of  Water Damage

• Categories of Water Damage

Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal.

Category 1 - clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows.

Category 2 - gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause illnesses if ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause Category 2 water damage.

Category 3 - black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other microorganisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.

Classes of Water Damage

The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options.

• Class 1 
  • The least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation.
• Class 2 
  • It has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves Class 2 damage.
• Class 3 
  • It has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture.
• Class 4 
• It requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.

If you are unsure which type of water you are dealing with, be sure to call a water damage restoration team like ServiceMaster by LoveJoy. With the proper training and equipment, restoration crews that specialize in water damage restoration and mold remediation can determine the water category and proceed with an appropriate plan of action. 

While you are waiting for the water damage cleanup team to arrive, there are steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe from contaminated water.

• Keep children and pets away from the affected area.
• Contact your insurance company and let them know a restoration team is on their way. Take pictures of the damage as proof for your insurance adjuster.
• Stop the further spread of contamination by keeping the area contained as best as possible.
• Be sure to use personal protective equipment such as face masks, rubber gloves and boots, and impervious coveralls if you have to go into the area.
• Turn off all electrical power to your home in the affected area.
• Turn off the water supply and any running water into the home or area.

ServiceMaster by LoveJoy and Water Damage Categories

Our team at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy is certified by the IICRC to handle your water damage regardless of its category. Our goal is not just to dry the damage; it’s to make sure that you can occupy an environment without facing ill-health effects. If you have water damage, call ServiceMaster by LoveJoy today.

The Top 5 Dangers of Standing Water

Whenever there is a flooding incident, may it be knee-deep or a small flood, it still is dangerous. Two to three inches of water might not seem like a big deal to most Conyers residents, but it is important to remember that any standing water that comes from flooding has potential risks and it must be drained out as soon as possible. Standing water is an annoyance to anyone.

 

What is Standing Water?

Standing water or stagnant water refers to water that does not flow continuously. It is a collection of water that stays in one place and becomes smelly and dirty within a short period. 

 

Standing water in your home right after a flood is a water damage disaster waiting to happen.

One of the absolute worst things you can do is to wait around before taking steps to remove the standing floodwater. However, Water Extraction Services in Conyers is 24/7 ready to help and assist you to remove the headache brought by standing water. Here they share a list of the dangers of standing water.

 

Danger No. 1: Bacteria

                                                                      E. coli. Photo by geralt (via Pixabay).

Floodwater is often originally contaminated with bacteria and other micro- and macro-contaminants. When there is a presence of sewage in the water, the types of bacteria present include E. coliand Salmonella.

 

Danger No. 2: Mold

 

One of the big problems that become most apparent as standing water stays after a flood is mold. In just a short time, mold can go from beginning to generate to becoming a pervasive problem in your home. The health problems stemming from simple mold are usually minor signs and symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat, sneezing, irritated skin, and red/itchy eyes.

 

Danger No. 3: Viruses

Photo by PIRO4D (via Pixabay)

Stagnant water will permit viruses to breed, such as the Norwalk virus and rotaviruses. Insects and mosquitoes are also known as virus carriers.

 

Danger No. 4: Parasites

Photo by nastya_gepp (via Pixabay)

The most common and popular parasites in standing water are Entamoeba, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. These may grow in clean and clear water but are much more common and present in gray water and sewage.

 Danger No. 5: Structural Damage

Photo by b0red (via Pixabay)

Long-term exposure to standing water can devastate drywall, allow the wood to swell, and possibly even destroy certain portions of your home that they may be required to be replaced completely. Water Damage Restoration Conyers will help you restore your home and business and will give you the serenity of living.

Danger No. 6: Increased Pressure on the Foundation

Photo by struppi0601 (via Pixabay)

Heavy and water-laden soil can give pressure on the sides of your foundation. Hence, this can give rise to bulging or cracked walls in your basement.

 

Danger No. 7: Pests and Rodents

Photo by sibya (via Pixabay)

Stagnant water can likewise attract insects and rodents. Mosquitoes can carry malaria, the West Nile virus, and cause Zika fever. Rats, mice, and other small rodents can carry a variety of bacteria and pathogenic diseases.

 

How Professionals Get Rid of Standing Water

If your home is affected by standing water and you have determined the underlying cause of the issue and problem, the good news is that you don’t have to live with it for life! 

Depending on where your drainage troubles stem from, there are a plenty of options and actions you can take to alleviate your land’s drainage and get rid of standing water once and for all.

 

• Organic Matter and Material

For lawns or gardens, you can place organic matter and material such as compost, leaf mold, and manure on them. These will open up the soil, create and generate natural drainage channels, and precisely permit your lawn to absorb water much more efficiently. 

• Re-grading Activity

With the help and guidance of a professional landscaper, you’ll be able to re-grade the land around your entire home. See to it that you obtain an appropriate survey of the land’s low-lying points, drainage channels, and outlets.

•  De-thatching

You can probably tackle a lawn with a heavy thatch by utilizing a manual rake or specialized machinery like a dethatcher or vertical mower. Make sure that any debris and leaf litter is eliminated right before using a garden fork or lawn aerator to aerate the soil to increase drainage.

 

• Properly Install a Drainage System

If you’ve determined a high water table as the major cause of standing water or if drainage problems persist, installing a drainage system could be the best solution.

 

Whether you have stagnant water at the exterior or interior part of the house, it can be destructive. You should hire a professional who can help and guide you in identifying problems and suggest short as well as long-term solutions. This sort of thing must be addressed promptly if you want to make sure that your family stays safe and healthy. 

 

At ServiceMaster by LoveJoy, we have over 20 years of experience with water removal and water damage remediation. We are committed to responding quickly to your property and have experienced technician teams located in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Stockbridge, Conyers, McDonough, Stone Mountain, Covington, Social Circle, and Dekalb County. 

 

We have a team of experienced, trained, and certified technicians to provide you with any or all of the following secondary processes that could be necessary after a water damage loss:

• Structural Drying
• Mold Remediation
• Structural Damage Reconstruction
• Cracked Flooring Restoration
• Foundation Damage Repair
• Carpet and Floor Repair
• Wall Reconstruction or Remediation
• Content Cleaning and more

Contact ServiceMaster by LoveJoy, your Water Removal Company in Conyers, at 678-293-0297 for Conyers customers and 770-992-1575 for Roswell customers, or visit our website at https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com/contact-us/ for immediate water removal and water damage remediation services in Conyers, GA and surrounding areas.

Different Types of Mold in your Home

Mold can happen anytime and anywhere in your home or working establishment. Most people assume that mold is not harmful and just lowers the aesthetics of your home or business.

Mold will trigger asthma and can cause serious illness. If you experienced sneezing or coughing you need a mold inspection in your home or business establishment. Different types of mold require different kinds of treatment. As soon as you discover mold in your home or business establishment call your trusted mold remediation and inspection company.

HERE ARE SOME COMMON MOLD TYPES THAT CAN BE SEEN IN YOUR HOME:

ASPERGILLUS

Over 185 species are appearing in many different colors and are commonly found in American households. It has long flask-shaped spores that can form thick layers or walls of the mold. This creates long chains of mold growth on surfaces.

Aspergillus is an allergenic mold, but it is also capable of becoming more toxic depending on the species and the environment affected. It can lead to symptoms like asthma attacks, lung infections, and respiratory inflammation.

ACREMONIUM

This mold typically grows in humidifiers, cooling coils, drain pans and window sealants. It first starts as a small moist mold that turns into a fine powdery substance. Acremonium mold is often pink, grey, orange or white.

CHAETOMIUM

Chaetomium is a mold commonly found in water-damaged homes and buildings. This mold is usually found in a damp or leaking roof, basement or sink and maybe recognizable by its musty odor. This mold causes health effects such as skin and nail infections.

AUREOBASIDIUM

You can find this mold growing behind wallpaper or on painted walls or wooden surfaces. Aureobasidium usually develops in pink, brown or black color. As it ages, aureobasidium typically turns a darker brown color. This kind of mold can cause dermatitis or skin rash if directly touched with bare skin.

ALTERNARIA

This mold typically grows wherever dampness occurs like showers, bathtubs, and leaking sinks. Alternaria is the most common form of allergenic mold in the world. It’s a velvet-textured mold with dark green or brown hairs. Alternaria is also a common mold species that appear as a result of water damage to a home or building.

As soon as you discover water damage in your home call ServiceMaster by Lovejoy for water damage restoration and mold inspection and remediation services.

ServiceMaster by Lovejoy mold inspection and remediation services will help you prevent mold from returning to your home. There is a more urgent need for awareness than just the aesthetics of your home or business. Mold has very real health concerns. If you think you have mold you should call us at 678-293-0297 immediately! We have the needed equipment, professionals and experience to help you with your mold problems.

Servicing homeowners and business owners in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Stockbridge, Conyers, McDonough, Stone Mountain, Covington, Social Circle, and Dekalb County and nearby Counties.