Where from obvious flooding or from unseen and hidden causes, water damage is the leading cause of structural damage to the average home, as well as the root of biologically toxic air conditions in the interior space.

Water damage causes deterioration structural wood, promotes the growth of mold in both interior wall space and exterior painted surfaces, rusting of steel frame connectors such as roof trusses, de-laminating of structural plywood, and decreasing the fire integritg of sheetrock.  Let’s review the types of water damage categories.

Category 1 Water damage results from broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows that while not immediately hazardous, can begin the process of creating a happy environment for mold and other common bacteria to grow. It doesn’t have to be something dramatic – a properly installed window is all that it takes to postitively ruin all the frame members below it!

Category 2 Water or “Grey Water” contains significant degrees of chemical and biological contaminants that can cause mold spore release into the home interior space, which is then ingested into the inhabitants lungs, deposited on horizontal surfaces and transferred to hand, food, etc. Grey Water damage occurs commonly due to sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.

At the extreme end is Category 3 Water or “Black Water” that contains enough unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi to render a house biologically toxic, both in air, and on all surfaces. Damage from “Black Water” is frequently sourced to toilet backups, sewage pipe burst or flooding from rivers or streams that have come into contact with the civic sewer service.

If you have any conditions that seem suspect – paint discoloration, any odors that seem odd, changes in sheetrock surfaces - give SceneKleen Restoration a call – diagnosing such symtoms is our specialty!