Let's start with the easy diagnosis: Category III Water
Remember, category III water has either sewage or toxic chemical potential. This includes not just raw sewage, but water from a source of raw sewage. For example, a toilet overflow from the bowl, even if the water in the bowl was "clean" just prior to the overflow, should be treated as category III because the source of the contamination. Think about it this way: no matter how clean water sitting in a toilet might be, you likely would not add Kool Aid to it and mix it up for a nice summer drink, right?
Salvaging After Category III Water Damage
When category III water damage occurs, all porous surfaces should be removed with full personal protective equipment on (we'll look at this equipment in a subsequent post). Drywall, carpet, carpet pad, insulation, baseboard, wood flooring, rugs, furnishings, etc. You name it. It should be discarded.
Now, if you have an antique rug from the 1650's worth more than our national debt, you of course would try to save it by hiring a restoration company specializing in textiles. But if the products are not unique, they should be tossed. It's for the safety of your family.
Non-porous materials, like tile, concrete, plumbing fixtures, etc. can be cleaned with a standard biocide cleaner and left in the home. You may want to get a a relatively strong biocide from a janitorial supply company. When using such products, be sure to follow the use label on the product explicitly. Not doing so can harm the occupants of the home and is also illegal.
Salvaging After Category I and II Water Damage
In contrast to category III water damage, salvaging materials after category I or II water damage depends on the actual damage to the material, not necessarily the contamination to the material. In essence, you are concerned more about the finished product rather than endangering the occupants.
Tankless water heaters have been the rage for sometime but if you still crave a more traditional water heater but want the energy savings then you may want to consider the Hybrid Water Heater from GE which we saw at the 2010 Builders Show.
It's the first water heater to be to be listed on the U.S. Department of Energy's website as Energy Star rated. GE claims it will reduce energy expenses up to 62%, saving as much as $320 annually on energy bills. This is achieved through a unique technology in addition to electric power explained below.
We appreciate simple products that upon visual inspection are easy to recognize what purpose they serve. The PermaFLOW is one such product. Simply remove your current p-trap located below a kitchen or bathroom sink and replace it with a the PermaFLOW which will allow you to easily remove a drain buildup before a clog develops. This in turn eliminates the use of plunging, toxic drain cleaners and expensive service calls.
If your drain starts to slow down you reach under the sink and give the external dial a spin which moves the debris back into the water stream and you've got a clear drain again. This product is clear which also makes it easy to locate lost jewelry or valuables that may have fallen into a sink. Because it also eliminates the need for drain chemicals your home waste water will always remain much cleaner.
It's bitter cold outside and you go to turn on your water or take a bath and, surprise! No water. There's a good chance that the water in your pipes has frozen therefore stopping the flow of water into your home. As water freezes and unfreezes the pipes feel the brunt of the damage as the water will expand and contract. Over time this will lead to the pipes bursting which is a problem you want to avoid at any cost or it will cost you.
When should I worry about my pipes freezing?
When the outside air temperature dips to 20 degrees F or below you need to take the proper precautions to prevent your pipes from freezing. In Northern climates that have days or months below 20 degrees, homes are built with water pipes located inside a building behind insulated walls. Pipes can still freeze if your home isn't properly insulated and there are holes allowing the cold air inside. Pipes can also easily freeze in climates that don't typically experience cold weather because these pipes are usually built on the outside of homes and are more exposed.
Avoiding the freeze
Water pipes that are exposed to freezing temperatures are vulnerable. This means all pipes in crawl spaces, attics, basements and uninsulated rooms should be protected by wrapping insulation sleeves around the pipes. These are usually made of fiberglass or foam rubber and come in different diameters and at whatever length you need.
You also need to seal any areas of your home where cold air can enter an uninsulated area. Holes created from electrical or phone cables can be large enough to compromise the heat in an area.
Relieving the pressure
Although we don't advocate water waste, letting a faucet drip ever so slightly is enough to reduce the pressure buildup in your plumbing system and could help prevent a frozen pipe. If the drip stops keep the faucet open as the water may have frozen but without that back pressure your pipes could still be okay.
The Zip-It is one of the easiest tools around to unclog drains especially in a bathtub. It won't damage pipes like Draino and other snaking devices. But the results can be a bit disgusting as the above video shows. At least you'll have a tub that drains!
Close loop water systems are sustainable and a major step in water conservation.
Ecologist Brent Bucknum, principal of Hyphae Design Lab in Oakland, California, shares the ABC's of re-routing a home's waste water (greywater) to sustainably irrigate gardens and other green spaces. He takes us from his live/work space in Oakland to several residential sites around Berkeley that feature greywater systems in various stages of completion.
Water damage has three categories that identify the source of the damage.
Category I is clean, potable (drinkable) water. This is water coming from an overflowing sink or bathtub, or perhaps from a broken water supply line or a fixture shut-off valve. This is the preferred source should water damage occur. Category I water poses minimal risk of contamination or respiratory danger.
Category II water is sometimes called "gray" water. It is certainly not drinkable but not full of sewage, either. Examples of Category II water are dishwasher run-off or washing-machine run-off. These sources contain soap and/or food contaminants but not raw sewage.
Category III water, sometimes called "black" water, is highly contaminated. It contains bacteria or chemicals harmful to touch, consume or inhale. Category III water must be removed by a professional with proper immunizations and personal protective equipment. Examples of Category III water are any type of sewer back-up, water that has run across open ground before entering the structure, or anything related to a chemical spill.
Once you identify the Category of water, immediately move to Step 3...
American's have become used to expecting a strong stream of water from our faucets and shower heads. Thanks to larger diameter plumbing and high-pressure water pumps, the stream that flows into American homes is one of the highest in terms of gallons-per-second. Unlike our European or Asian counterparts who deal with older and less modern plumbing systems as well as more urban environments that put a higher demand on each water source, American's typically enjoy baths and high water pressure that other parts of the world do not.
In an age of water conservation the rise of high pressure yet low stream kitchen and bath products have become popular. The technology behind shower heads that feel as if they are delivering strong streams of water but really use much less is interesting. Many shower heads use a combination of water constriction and air injection to provide a shower with a strong stream but using less water.
The only reason not to replace your worn water heater with an electric one is upfront cost. Electric water heaters start paying for themselves as soon as you start using them as no energy is wasted keeping water hot.
