It’s the dead of winter, which hopefully means that you went through drain maintenance, water heater maintenance and other basic yearly checkup tasks through a professional, full-service plumber like Whipple. These simple checklist items may seem like a small deal, but they can be the difference between a warm winter season and a cold, expensive one.

People who haven’t taken care of certain bits of upkeep may run into that often-terrifying devil: Water damage. Whether it’s a water heater leak or some other root cause, water damage can be one of the most expensive and inconvenient plumbing issues out there. What causes it, how is it classified and what can it lead to?

Water Damage Causes

There are several potential causes for water damage in your home:

• Clogged toilets
• Broken hoses
• Leaking pipes or roofs
• Leaking water heater
• Overflowing dishwashers or laundry machines
• Floods or heavy snowfall
• Foundational cracks in the home

Categories of Water Damage

Classifying water damage is important, and it’s based on the kind of water involved in the damage and the repairs that are likely to be required. The categories of water type are as follows:

1. Clean water, does not pose a health risk. Generally comes from a sink, a dishwasher or a water heater
2. Gray water, contaminated, can cause sickness or even death in some cases. Usually comes from toilets or sewage runoff
3. Black water, contains bacteria, is completely unsanitary

The classes of damage and likely repairs that are used includes the following:

• Class 1: Much of the damage has been absorbed, and limited repairs are needed
• Class 2: Carpets or cushions have been affected, and a high rate of evaporation is needed for repairs
• Class 3: Fastest evaporation possible is needed – for broken sprinklers or overhead water sources
• Class 4: The worst type of damage, possibly including hardwood floors or concrete. Will require special restoration procedures and often large scale replacements

Effects of Water Damage

Water damage can lead to moderate to severe health issues, including:

• Bacteria and mold growth
• Severe allergy and asthma symptoms
• Raised risk of respiratory illness
• Complications for people with limited immune systems

For water damage repair, maintenance assistance or any other plumbing needs, our experts at Whipple are standing by to assist you today.