Each day, thousands of people have water-related emergencies in their homes or places of business. Almost every home will suffer water damage at some point in its lifetime. The three types are clear or clean water damage, grey water damage, and black water damage. Various types of water emergencies require different measures. It is critical to know the differences between them. Knowing the risks and issues attached to black water is crucial.
What exactly is black water?
Water that has been heavily polluted by human waste, animal waste, grease, etc. It is called “black water.” If it contains bacteria and pathogens, laundry water, for example, may be dubbed black water. In some cases, contamination does not appear in the appearance of water.
The presence of black water is not always obvious. Even though it doesn’t smell or look dirty, it can carry harmful germs and toxins that will multiply if not handled. Mould growth in black water compounds the health risks already present. To prevent black water damage, train yourself on spotting small problems before they become large ones.
The Perils of Black Water
Microbes, especially those that can cause illness, pollute black water. In addition to being infected with bacteria, black water often includes toxic gases, including methane and hydrogen sulphide. These gases can harm human health when exposed for too long or in large doses. Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and loss of focus can all result from methane gas poisoning. Drowsiness, loss of focus, lung system damage, and even death can result from hydrogen sulphide gas poisoning.
Black water can also include unknown chemicals and harmful algae. Tap water may contaminate your meds with harmful elements, leaving you exposed. The toxic algae growth can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and other health problems.
Water Contamination: Common Sources of Black Water
Pollution of clear water results in black water. There are two major reasons for this:
- Debris from natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis can accumulate quickly in watersheds and on dry ground. Because of this, sewage water may back up into people’s homes. Bacteria in floodwater can cause infections and other problems.
- Human error: Human error, such as tree root incursion or incorrect installation/maintenance, is frequently the cause of sewage system backups. For example, homes with improperly fitted sump pumps might cause black water from foundation drains to flow into your home rather than away from it. A typical source is clogged kitchen sinks caused by food pieces.
The issues are only sometimes obvious, even if they seem clear at the time. Quick action is required after it is found that black water has caused damage to your home. It would be best if you considered doing the following.
Cleaning Surfaces Contaminated with Black Water
There have been reports of deadly bacteria and human faeces in black water. As a result, consider contacting Reztor Restoration for assistance with black water damage mitigation and restoration. In this case, the team has the necessary tools, expertise, and training to ensure everyone’s safety. We do not suggest trying to remove black water on your own.
Cleaning up black water spills in a structure requires careful planning and highly specialised equipment. Repairing the damage, disinfecting the area, and removing all moisture are all tasks best left to professionals with the appropriate training and certifications.
Following are some things to take in the event of black water damage:
- Keep all humans and animals away from the damaged area until the cleanup is finished. When walking near black water damage, wear gloves, even when handling towels or other items near the damaged area. Germs on your hands have the potential to contaminate other surfaces. Also, keep an eye out for any scrapes or abrasions on your skin; bacteria can enter wounds and cause dangerous infections. If you come into contact with black water, wash it off with soap.
- Keep all doors between the contaminated area and the rest of the house closed to prevent outside air from recontaminating the area being cleaned. Turn off all air vents flowing into the room.
- An experienced contractor can thoroughly evaluate the damaged areas and assess their extent. Assessment is critical to the restoration process.
- As a precautionary measure, excess water should be cleaned up and discarded. Garbage, porous materials, and sewage are all examples of this. Special instruments may be necessary to prevent contamination in unaffected areas. When disinfecting surfaces, EPA-approved disinfectants are used.
- After sanitisation, the contractor installs a balanced drying system to restore the damaged areas to their pre-loss condition. This final phase necessitates using specialist processes, supplies, and equipment, such as professional dehumidifiers and large-capacity air movers.
If foam cushions or mattresses have come into contact with sewage or human fluids, dispose of them. Refinishing is commonly used to restore the appearance of wood surfaces such as cabinets, drawers, and mouldings.
Reztor Restoration handles water damage 24/7.
Reztor Restoration’s skilled personnel are trained to deal with all types of water damage. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for water damage restoration services. To contact your local Reztor Restoration office, please visit our website or phone 1800 739 867.
