Effects of Water Damage On Building Materials, the Health Hazards, and Its Effect On Insurance Claims and Claim Costs on Long Island and New York City...

Effects of Water, Water Damage, Building Materials, Health Hazards, Clean Water, Black Water, Insurance claims, claim costs, grey water, long island, new York, split, warp, swell, musty odor, wet drywall, standing water, water intrusion, elevated humidity, elevated relative humidity, relative humidity, humidity, mold spores, health hazard, indoor air quality, iaq, ih, industrial hygienist, mold remediation, mold testing, water damage insurance claims

Effects of Water, Water Damage, Building Materials, Health Hazards, Clean Water, Black Water, Insurance claims, claim costs, grey water, long island, new York, split, warp, swell, musty odor, wet drywall, standing water, water intrusion, elevated humidity, elevated relative humidity, relative humidity, humidity, mold spores, health hazard, indoor air quality, iaq, ih, industrial hygienist, mold remediation, mold testing, water damage insurance claims

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Effects of Water, Water Damage, Building Materials, Health Hazards, Clean Water, Black Water, Insurance claims, claim costs, grey water, long island, new York, split, warp, swell, musty odor, wet drywall, standing water, water intrusion, elevated humidity, elevated relative humidity, relative humidity, humidity, mold spores, health hazard, indoor air quality, iaq, ih, industrial hygienist, mold remediation, mold testing, water damage insurance claims

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Categories of Water Damage

These categories designate the TYPE of water that is involved in the water damage!!!

Category 1: Clean Water.

A clean water source is one that does not pose substantial harm to humans. Examples of clean water sources may include, but are not limited to: broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines, melting ice or falling rainwater – not that which flows over the soil or through multiple structural components- broken toilet tanks, and even toilet bowls that do not contain contaminants or additives. Once a clean water source contacts other surfaces and materials, its condition may change to grey water or black water as it dissolves or mixes with soils and other contaminants over time.

Category 2: Grey Water.

Unsanitary or grey water contains some degree of contamination. Potentially, it could cause substantial discomfort or sickness if consumed by humans, and it carries microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms. Category 2 grey water examples may include, but are not limited to: discharge from dishwashers or washing machines, overflows from washing machines, overflows of toilet bowls with some urine (no feces), broken aquariums, and punctured water beds. All of these may contain chemicals or biocontaminants (fungal, bacterial, viral, algae), or other forms of contamination. Time and temperature aggravate Category 2 grey water contamination significantly. The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) may be compromised.  Grey Water in flooded structures that remains untreated longer than 48 hours can change from Category 2 grey water to Category 3 black water.

Category 3: Black Water.

Category 3 black water always contains pathogenic agents. Grossly unsanitary, black water sources are those that arise from sewage or other contaminated water entering a structure.  Sewage contains the expected urine and feces; but it could also contain dangerous chemicals or medical wastes.  Toilet backflows that originate from beyond the toilet trap are considered to be Category 3 black water situations, regardless of visible content or color. This category includes all forms of sea water, ground surface water, and rising water from, rivers or streams. They carry silt and organic matter into structures and create Category 3 black water situations. In situations where structural materials and/or contents have been heavily contaminated with such materials as pesticides, heavy metals, or toxic organic substances; the water damage is considered to be Category 3 black water.  There are serious Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues with this type of water damage.

These Categories Of Water Damage inform you of the precautions that MUST be taken BEFORE you place airflow on the drying job to reduce health hazards for occupants and technicians.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       * IICRC Standard S500: Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration.

The Effects of Water Damage On Building Materials and Its Health Hazards...

Effects of Water, Water Damage, Building Materials, Health Hazards, Clean Water, Black Water, Insurance claims, claim costs, grey water, long island, new York, split, warp, swell, musty odor, wet drywall, standing water, water intrusion, elevated humidity, elevated relative humidity, relative humidity, humidity, mold spores, health hazard, indoor air quality, iaq, ih, industrial hygienist, mold remediation, mold testing, water damage insurance claims

Within Minutes...
  • Water damage spreads to other areas originally damaged by the effects of water, causing secondary damage thereby rapidly increasing the scope of insurance claims while increasing claim costs.
  • Transfer stains occur due to wood and metal furniture, especially antique, staining carpeting.
  • Discoloration of furniture.
  • Paper goods start to swell, warp, and split.

 

Within Hours...
  • Furniture delaminates or starts to swell and/or warp, legs begin to split.
  • Wet Drywall begins to soak up the water 
  • Finish Building Materials begin to swell, warp and split.
  • Musty Odor becomes apparent from the standing water.
  • Tarnishing of uncoated metal surfaces.
  • Normal household odors becomes more apparent.
  • A Clean Water intrusions starts to become a Grey Water situation

 

Within Days...
  • Water damage becomes a Grey Water intrusion
  • Fungi appear, along with a stronger musty odor.
  • Internal components in pianos and organs swell and warp due to the effects of water or elevated Relative Humidity (RH) (>60% RH).
  • Wet Drywall (Sheetrock, gypcrete) and other porous building materials begin to swell and disintegrate.
  • Uncoated metal surfaces begin to rust.
  • Door and window casings swell and warp or split.
  • Wood decking, joists, studs begin to swell, warp and split.
  • Electronic components may malfunction.
  • Health Hazards associated with Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) becomes an issue
  • Occupants with health issues or compromised immune systems begin to experience distress.

 

Within Weeks
  • A Grey Water instrusion turns into a Black Water situation
  • Mold spores associated with the building materials prolonged exposure to water damage starts to erode natural fibers, paper coverings on wet drywall, paneling, and other building materials
  • Building materials comprised of wood components warp and split, while chemicals within wood dissolve, discolor or destroy finishes.
  • Claim costs on Water Damage Insurance Claims escalate dramatically; demolishing and replacing contaminated building materials becomes necessary.
  • Serious occupant health hazards abound; liability increases on insurance claims
  • The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) turns into a serious health hazard and proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is required to enter the area effected by water damage
  • Serious consideration should be made to contacting an Industrial Hygienist (IH) to perform mold testing and formulate a mold remediation protocol

 

Disaster & Water Damage Restoration: Long Island and New York City

Effects of Water, Water Damage, Building Materials, Health Hazards, Clean Water, Black Water, Insurance claims, claim costs, grey water, long island, new York, split, warp, swell, musty odor, wet drywall, standing water, water intrusion, elevated humidity, elevated relative humidity, relative humidity, humidity, mold spores, health hazard, indoor air quality, iaq, ih, industrial hygienist, mold remediation, mold testing, water damage insurance claims