Where Do Different Types of Flood Damage Come From?

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

A flooded basement in River Falls, WI.

What Causes Water Damage?

Heavy flooding can cause serious damage to your River Falls, WI, home, but did you know there are different types of issues it can cause? Depending on the source of the water, your home and its contents may experience a wide variety of problems. Learning what causes water damage and why may help you call for the right type of assistance when these floods happen.

Outdoor Floods
When outdoor floods occur, the water source is usually from a variety of sources, such as:

• Local creeks
  
• Ponds
  
• Clogged sewers
  
  

These floodwaters usually carry dangerous bacteria, animal offal and sewer contents. Because of its contents, professionals mark this water as Category 3 or black water. You should avoid handling this type of water if it enters your home and call a professional flood restoration service for assistance.

Indoor Sink and Toilet Floods
Flooding that occurs from an indoor source, such as a sink, washing machine, or toilet, may have different grades of cleanliness. For example, if the flood comes from a broken refrigerator line that is used to make ice, this is a Category 1 flood situation that should not be harmful. However, if standing water from a clean source sits for more than 24 hours, it can break down rapidly and grow bacteria. This can cause it to become dangerous to handle. Toilet water is usually considered a Category 3 flood and typically requires the assistance of a flood mitigation and restoration service.

Flood Damage In Basements
When spring thaws occur, they can affect your home's gutters and cause ice dams, which may result in serious water leaks inside your home from the gutters not draining water away properly. Basement leaks and floods are quite common, and depending on how long the water stands in the room, it may be either a Category 2 or Category 3 flood.

Different types of flooding in River Falls, WI, can affect your home in a variety of ways. Generally, avoiding the water until you can call for assistance regarding its removal is usually the wisest course of action.