Flood Classification
We categories flood incidents to help with our decision making. Internationally accepted standards classify water damage incidents according to the source of the water as follows:
- Clean water – not harmful to humans; from broken pipes, sink overflows, appliance leaks.
- Grey water – water which may carry some micro-organisms, for example, water from dishwashers, washing machines, broken aquariums.
- Black water – grossly unsanitary water, containing large quantities of micro-organisms and other contaminants. This could include sewage entering a building, sea water, ground surface water and water from streams and rivers.
In addition to this we classify flood and water related incidents by the following factors:
Vertical leaks – where water has spread to the floor below there will be a greater chance of unpredictable penetration of water into structural voids and electrical services.
Aged incidents – prolonged humid conditions over several days can cause absorbent materials to pick up extra moisture. There is then an increased risk of mold growth, along with the potential for health effects.
