Water Damage: Causes, Types, and the Distinction from Flood Damage
Causes of Water Damage
Water damage can arise from various sources, including:
- Leaking pipes, appliances, or roofs
- Flooding due to heavy rainfall or natural disasters
- Basement seepage or burst water mains
- Overflowing sinks, tubs, or toilets
Types of Water Damage
Water damage can be categorized into three main types:
- Category 1 (Clean Water): Caused by clean water sources, such as appliances or melting snow
- Category 2 (Grey Water): Contaminated by pathogens or harmful substances, such as washing machine overflows or toilet backups
- Category 3 (Black Water): Heavily contaminated and potentially hazardous, originating from sewage or floodwaters
Is Water Damage the Same as Flood Damage?
While water damage can occur due to flooding, they are not always synonymous.
Flood damage specifically refers to water damage caused by excessive water from a source, such as a river or storm surge, that inundates an area.
In contrast, water damage can arise from various other sources, such as burst pipes or appliance malfunctions, and may not involve flooding.