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Contamination Detection Systems: How Water Damage Restoration Contractors Determine If Water Is Bad

There are three categories of water loss according to IICRC S500 standard. The water damage restoration process would be determined, in part, by the category of water loss. The three types of water loss are: Category I, Category II, and Category III.

Category I refers to water damage cause by falling rainwater, tub overflows, sink overflows, melting snow, and such. In short, Category I water damage is caused by clean, uncontaminated water source.

Sources of Category II or gray water damage include discharge water from washing machines and dishwashers, toilet bowl overflow with urine but no feces, broken aquariums, punctured waterbeds, and sump pump failures.

Category III or black water sources are contaminated water sources such as those by sewage. Seawater flood and water from rivers, ground sources and streams, and toilet backflows are examples of Category III water.

Most water damage restoration services, before doing actual cleanup and water removal, test the water to determine the category of water loss. This step in the restoration process is very important in determining the safety measures that the crew would take to safeguard their health. This is also important in determining whether materials should be disposed of right away or not. For instance, carpets saturated by black water should be removed and disposed of; while carpets saturated by Category I clean water can still be salvaged and restored.

How do water damage restoration crews determine the category of water damage?

The crews use a liquid sampling device. This device uses luminometer technology to measure the level or amount of water contamination. It can determine if there are bacteria and other biological matter in the matter. As such, this liquid sampling device is trusted not only by restoration professionals, but also by Indoor Environmental Professional and restoration contractors.

Though bio-contamination detection devices cannot identify the specific strains of viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants in water, it can measure and document the level of pathogenic contamination in liquids. It can also determine where the direct impaction of contamination has occurred. Bio-contamination detection systems can also be used to quantify the amount of bacterial concentration in water. Using bio-contamination devices is easy. Results are also given right away, so there is no need to bring water sample to a laboratory anymore.

To use the device, remove the collection tube and dip in the water. Make sure not to touch the tube in with your finger or other material to avoid contamination. Do this for 5 seconds only or so. A five-second dip would collect about .10 ml of water. Insert the open end of the device into the collar of the liquid sampling device.

Break the snap valve from the bulb end by bending tube backward and forward. Squeeze the tube to add reagent into the collection device. Shake the device to mix reagent and liquid sample. Insert the liquid sampling device into the luminometer. You should do this within sixty seconds after collection of liquid sample. Press the start button. After 15 seconds, the luminometer will yield its result.

Thus, when choosing water damage restoration company especially if the source of water damage in your home is flood, make sure they have a bio-contamination detection system. Guided by results of bio-contamination detection system, a company can determine the category of water loss and the corresponding water damage restoration and mitigation steps.

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