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While all types of water damage can cause serious harm to your home, knowing the type of water damage you are dealing with is essential for proper mitigation. At ATI Restoration, our team of skilled and certified water damage restoration specialists knows how to identify the source of water intrusion, the type of water present, and the extent of damage it has done. Available 24/7/365, we are here when you need us to stop water damage at its source, prevent additional deterioration and environmental impacts, and restore the damaged areas of your home to their best-ever condition.
Call ATI Restoration or contact us online to request a damage assessment immediately. With our 24-Hour Emergency Response service, we can dispatch a crew of licensed restoration professionals to determine the type of water damage in your home and establish the swiftest plan for recovery.
ATI Restoration is the nation’s largest family-operated restoration firm. We maintain over 70 regional offices and serve homeowners living throughout the country.
Water, no matter its source or contaminant level, can deteriorate building materials, rust metal, rot wood, and allow for mold intrusion, but different categories are necessary for understanding the dangers posed by different types of water damage. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has developed a universal standard for categorizing water damage into three types. This allows water damage restoration technicians to respond appropriately to each situation and ensure the best possible outcomes for the affected property.
The three categories of water damage established by the IICRC are:
Category 1 water, also known as clean water, originates from clean and sanitary sources and poses no health risk. Possible sources of category 1 water damage are:
Category one water poses no health risks to people or pets, but it shouldn’t be ignored. Even clean water can lead to structural damage—including warped walls and flooring—and allow mold to grow. Taking care of water intrusion right away helps to prevent these larger issues.
Signs of category 1 water damage include:
An unusually high water bill may also be an indication of clean water intrusion. At ATI Restoration, we utilize advanced leak detection technology to find even the smallest vulnerabilities, helping to ensure the source of the problem is addressed completely.
Category 2 water, also known as greywater and sullage water, contains chemicals, soaps, microorganisms, and other contaminants that can pose some risks to humans and animals. Common sources of category 2 water include:
Category 2 water poses the largest risks when ingested. However, it can also irritate skin and harm or burn sensitive areas like eyes and nasal passages. Greywater can also cause serious property damage, stain and contaminate furnishings and belongings, and produce lasting odors.
Signs that water damage is category 2 include:
Like clean water intrusion, category 2 water damage may present as dampness or pooling water, warped walls and flooring, a musty odor, and mold growth. Graywater should be addressed as soon as possible to help reduce damage to your home and long-range risks to your health.
Category 3 water, also known as blackwater, is the most severe and dangerous type of water intrusion. Blackwater contains pathogens, bacteria, and other contaminants that can make it extremely dangerous to humans and animals. It typically comes from sources such as:
Blackwater damage may create the same structural issues as graywater and clean water, such as peeling paint, stains, and pooling water. However, it has some clearly identifying characteristics as well.
Signs that blackwater has damaged your home include:
Category 3 water damage requires the most thorough and attentive response. This makes it all the more important that your water damage restoration technicians are HAZWOPER-certified. Training in the proper handling of hazardous wastewater helps to ensure that restoration efforts—from the very start of water cleanup—are sufficient to address all aesthetic, structural, and health-related concerns.
OSHA’s HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training prepares technicians to handle a variety of hazardous materials—including categories 2 and 3 water—safely and effectively. HAZWOPER training emphasizes safety, property handling techniques, and the use of protective equipment, giving trainees the ability to address even the most hazardous water damage scenarios.
At ATI Restoration, all of our water damage technicians have undergone HAZWOPER training. All of our technicians are also certified by the IICRC. We are dedicated to hiring and retaining the most qualified, experienced, and educated water damage technicians in the industry.
In addition to HAZWOPER and IICRC certification, our crews are composed of licensed and certified tradespeople from every conceivable background. This allows us to handle all aspects of water damage mitigation and structural restoration in-house, which saves you money, reduces reconstruction time, and ensures the entire project is done to the high standards ATI Restoration is known for.
The water damage restoration process at ATI Restoration may include:
When needed, we can utilize leak detection technology to identify the source of the intrusion and advanced moisture mapping services to determine the extent and location of water damage. We also offer thorough mold remediation services, enabling us to deal with the mold infestations that so commonly accompany all types of water damage.
As the oldest family-operated restoration company in the country, we have had time to develop our strategies and refine our approach to water damage remediation and restoration. Combining our experience with our advanced training and rapid response, we can complete water damage restoration projects much faster than the standard general contractor, allowing you to get back into your clean, healthy, and lovingly restored home that much quicker. Our crews do it all—from damage assessment through finishing touches—so you can focus on getting back to normal.
To schedule your damage assessment, contact ATI Restoration online or call us right away. With our 24-Hour Emergency Response service, we can dispatch a crew of IICRC and HAZWOPER-certified professionals to carefully evaluate the type of water damage you are facing and craft a personalized recovery plan. We know that your home is precious to you and your family. We are prepared to act swiftly to address water damage and restore your property to its previous condition—or better—so you can get on with your life.