If you find yourself reading this article, odds are that you’ve caught a second glimpse of the apocalypse in the form of water damage. We know you might be close to panicking, but remember: It's always darkest before dawn! The good news is that there can be an end to this hell. All it takes is a little knowledge about what category 3 water damage actually is and how it spreads so quickly. It’s almost a predictable science.
What is category 3 water damage?
Category 3 water damage, also known as water with no visible path, has no traces of where the water came from. This can include standing water in pools or sunken puddles on your floor that have no visible source. Though it may seem impossible to fix, at times it can be completely unavoidable and harm to your home would be inevitable even if you were to attempt the clean-up.
How does category 3 water damage spread so quickly?
When there is no visible source of water, it collects in the air and can become airborne rather quickly. This makes category 3 water damage extremely hard to stop, as you cannot see it coming or know where it’s going to end up. Category 3 water damage can travel through your walls via tiny cracks in your drywall, through holes in your ceiling, and even through intact wood. This is why you cannot clean up category 3 water damage, because even if you do remove the standing water, it’s still in the air and will continue to spread as long as you don’t get rid of it all.
Why can’t I clean up category 3 water damage?
In many cases, it makes more sense to leave the category 3 water damage alone. The most important thing when dealing with category 3 water damage is to prevent it from spreading. If you have a basement or cellar, make sure that the door is secured tightly and that your valuables do not end up in the area if possible.
What should I do if there is category 3 water damage?
The first thing you should do is turn off your home’s electrical power. This will prevent dangerous sparks and shocks, which can be devastating if you have standing water that can heat up when it comes in contact with a live wire.
The next thing to do is call a professional restoration company. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and category 3 water damage is one of the most dangerous forms of water damage that exists. If left untreated, the problem will only worsen and spread even further.
In most cases, a restoration professional will be able to tell you at a glance whether or not there is category 3 water damage. If you have reason to believe that your home may have been contaminated with category 3 water, do not wager for your safety and that of your loved ones by trying to fix it on your own.
Will insurance cover my damages?
Category 3 water damage is almost always covered by homeowner’s insurance. However, it’s important to file a claim as soon as possible. If you wait too long, your insurance company could possibly deny the claim, so it’s best to get in contact immediately. If possible, take photos of the damage and keep dated records; this will help if there is a dispute later on down the line.
Category 3 water damage has become one of the most common water problems in homes across the country, but it doesn’t have to be a problem for you. As long as you keep your home’s dry areas safe and secure, you should have a lot of peace of mind. If you do believe that you have category 3 water damage, don’t panic! Instead, contact a professional restoration company and get your life back to normal.
At iDry Restorations , we specialise in category 3 water clean-ups If you have any questions about category 3 water damage, please feel free to call us at 0800437969.
