How To Clean Up Contaminated Water

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Let Contaminated Water be cleaned by specialists.

Water in your home can cause significant property damage. It can also be more complicated to clean up than simply grabbing a mop and bucket due to the risk of dealing with contaminated water.

Contaminated Water Cleanup

Before you attempt to clean up water damage in your home, it is important to identify which of the three types of water damage you have.

1. Clean Water

Clean water is water damage caused by a leak from a sanitary water source. Examples include water from a broken supply line, rainwater and water that overflowed from a clean sink, toilet tank or bathtub. This type of water contains minimal contamination.

2. Grey Water

Grey water is wastewater that contains some contamination but is not grossly unsanitary. Grey water may contain bacteria, mold, viruses, chemicals or nutrients that promote the growth of microorganisms.

Examples include wastewater from your washing machine, water from a broken aquarium and overflow from a toilet that contains urine but no feces. 

3. Black Water

This water is grossly contaminated. It may contain pathogens or toxins that pose a risk to human health. Examples include floodwater, seawater, sewage, wind-driven rain and an overflow from a toilet that contains feces. 

Cleaning Different Types of Water Damage

If there is a small amount of clean water in your home, you can clean it yourself with a mop and bucket, sponges or a wet/dry vacuum. Surfaces that have come in contact with grey water must be disinfected.

Additionally, because contaminants in the water may irritate the skin or pose other risks, protective gear, such as rubber gloves, should be worn while cleaning grey water damage. Black water can not be safely cleaned without the proper protective equipment and safety training. Homeowners should not attempt to clean this type of damage.

Reasons To Clean Water Damage Promptly

If you have a significant amount of any type of water or you have damage from grey or black water, consider contacting a water restoration service in Black Forest, CO, to clean and disinfect your property. Water damage should be cleaned within 24-48 hours whenever possible.

Water that has been left standing longer than this may become contaminated with mold and other microorganisms. The moisture can also promote mold and mildew growth in your home. Once past the 24-48 hour window, clean water may become grey or black.

What To Do With Water Damaged Property

Property that has come in contact with contamination must be disinfected before it can be safely used again. Some types of porous materials, such as insulation, drywall and carpet padding, may need to be thrown out. Additionally, discard any food items that have been exposed to contamination unless the food is stored in an undamaged waterproof container. 

Food or drink in waterproof cans or pouches can be used if you remove the labels, wash the containers in soap and water, rinse them with clean water and then sanitize them with boiling water or diluted bleach.

Contaminated water can be difficult to clean without the proper equipment and training. Many homeowners can benefit from professional cleaning assistance when dealing with water damage.