Affectionately referred to as “the city nestled between the mountains and reality,” Boulder, CO is a great place to call home. With lots of outdoor activities, a close-knit community, and some amazing places to eat and shop, this mountain town is a hub for many people hoping to enjoy all that Colorado has to offer.
Although the mountains are beautiful, the extreme weather that often hits the area can create significant water damage to nearby homes. Fortunately, Boulder residents don’t spend too much time worrying about potential flooding or damage to their homes because they know they’ve got 24-7 Restoration on their side 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, if you’re a resident of the area, there are a few things you should know about water sources and water damage, so you can take appropriate measures to protect your home.
How Are the Various Water Sources Classified?
One of the first things to understand about water sources is that there are several classifications, which help determine the type and extent of damage that may be caused by the specific water source. These classifications can also help determine the level of danger to humans who may come into contact with the water.
Here we explain the three basic water sources and their classifications. When thinking about these classifications, it’s important to keep in mind that time and temperature can have a significant impact on the quality of water in any classification. These factors can result in a change in the category for the water coming from a specific source. To give you a better understanding of how water sources are classified, we’ve put together a detailed explanation of each category and how it could affect you.
Category 1: Clean Water
Water sources classified under Category 1 typically pose no substantial risk to exposed skin, or to the human body when ingested or inhaled. This is in part because water sources in this category typically originate from a sanitary source. However, it’s important to understand that although the water originally comes from a sanitary source, it may not always remain clean once it comes into contact with other materials or surfaces in and around the home.
Category 2: Gray Water
With a potential to cause sickness or discomfort to humans, contact with Category 2 water sources should be avoided. Water sources in this category contain significant contamination, which means humans should never come into contact or consume water in this classification. In addition to containing unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients from microorganisms, Category 2 water sources may contain dangerous chemical or biological organic or inorganic matter.
Category 3: Black Water
As the most dangerous of all the water source classifications, Category 3 water sources are grossly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents. These water sources may also carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances. Any water originating from Category 3 sources is extremely dangerous to humans and should be avoided at all costs. It’s important to contact your local water damage restoration professionals the moment you suspect a Category 3 water source has infiltrated your home.
What Are the Different Levels of Water Damage?
Water damage in your Boulder, CO home can be a major problem if left untreated. Depending on the type and amount of damage, you can end up with more than simply a puddle of water to clean up. Significant damage can spread into other surfaces inside and outside your home very quickly, which is why it’s crucial to contact the professionals immediately at the first sign of water damage.
Much like water sources have their own unique classifications, water damage is classified as well. There are four primary classifications of water damage.
Class 1
Of all the water damage classes, Class 1 involves the least amount of water, absorption, and evaporation. Some signs that your water damage may be considered Class 1 damage are:
- The water damage affects only part of a room or area
- There are larger areas of water damage, but they contain materials that have absorbed minimal moisture
- There is little or no wet carpet and/or a cushion is present
Class 2
In Class 2, there is typically a large amount of water, absorption, and evaporation. Signs of Class 2 water damage can include:
- The water damage is affecting an entire room or more of carpet and cushion
- Water has wicked up the walls (less than 24 inches)
- There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil
Class 3
Involving the greatest amount of water, absorption, and evaporation, Class 3 water damage can wreak havoc on any home or building in a hurry. Signs that the water damage in your home or building may fall into Class 3 are:
- The water came from overhead
- Virtually the entire area is saturated, including the ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion, and subfloor
Class 4
Unlike the other three classes, Class 4 water damage typically relates to specialty drying situations. It can involve:
- Wet materials with very low permeance like hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, and stone
- Deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity
- Losses that may require longer drying times and special methods
What Does the Water Source and Damage Level Mean for You and Your Boulder, Colorado Home?
When your home has incurred any type of water damage, it’s important to seek help from a professional who understands how the water source and water damage can significantly impact the cleanup and restoration process. Although Class 1 water damage originating from a Category 1 water source may be something you can easily handle on your own, it’s often difficult to tell on your own where the water came from. Fortunately, an experienced professional will know the signs of danger at first glance, which means they can help you get your home back in good shape while ensuring the utmost safety of your family in the process.
If you think your home may have water damage, turn to your highly qualified professionals in Boulder. We are experts in our field and will work hard to mitigate your damage and restore your home as quickly as possible. Contact 24-7 Restoration for more information about water sources and water damage, or to schedule an estimate for water damage repair at your home or property.