Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Water damage in any type of building can result in the destruction of building materials, equipment, furniture, belongings, and even structural damage. Water can also create an indoor environment that could be hazardous to building occupants and contractors repairing the damage.
Depending on the water source, it could contain bacteria, viruses, mold, chemicals, and more. Even water damage due to clean water, known as Category 1 Water, can result in mold growth in as short as 24 to 48 hours.
Category 2 Water, known as Grey Water, typically contains a significant amount of biological or physical contaminants that can cause sickness when humans are exposed or if it is accidently consumed. Examples include sump pump failures and water discharged from a dishwasher or washing machine. Category 2 Water, which is not promptly removed or has remained stagnant, may at times be reclassified as Category 3 Water.
Category 3 Water, also known as Black Water, is grossly contaminated. It may contain harmful pathogens, microbes, and chemicals that could cause illness. Sources include sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water, and standing water.
No matter the source or category of the water, it’s important to have it safely removed as quickly as possible. It’s also important to recognize that during the drying process, other contaminants or materials already in the building may cause health concerns. For example, asbestos-containing materials or lead-based paints may become aerosolized during the drying and cleanup process if not handled properly.
The drying process could also result in airborne contaminants being spread throughout a property, even into areas not damaged by the water. These contaminants could include mold, bacteria, and viruses; lead and asbestos; particulate matter and chemical hazards.
These are just a few of the many things to know about potential exposure concerns associated with water damaged buildings. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
Water damage in any type of building can result in the destruction of building materials, equipment, furniture, belongings, and even structural damage. Water can also create an indoor environment that could be hazardous to building occupants and contractors repairing the damage.
Depending on the water source, it could contain bacteria, viruses, mold, chemicals, and more. Even water damage due to clean water, known as Category 1 Water, can result in mold growth in as short as 24 to 48 hours.
Category 2 Water, known as Grey Water, typically contains a significant amount of biological or physical contaminants that can cause sickness when humans are exposed or if it is accidently consumed. Examples include sump pump failures and water discharged from a dishwasher or washing machine. Category 2 Water, which is not promptly removed or has remained stagnant, may at times be reclassified as Category 3 Water.
Category 3 Water, also known as Black Water, is grossly contaminated. It may contain harmful pathogens, microbes, and chemicals that could cause illness. Sources include sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water, and standing water.
No matter the source or category of the water, it’s important to have it safely removed as quickly as possible. It’s also important to recognize that during the drying process, other contaminants or materials already in the building may cause health concerns. For example, asbestos-containing materials or lead-based paints may become aerosolized during the drying and cleanup process if not handled properly.
The drying process could also result in airborne contaminants being spread throughout a property, even into areas not damaged by the water. These contaminants could include mold, bacteria, and viruses; lead and asbestos; particulate matter and chemical hazards.
These are just a few of the many things to know about potential exposure concerns associated with water damaged buildings. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
