What are the 3 Categories of Water Damage?

Kristen Schmitz • August 17, 2022

We certainly all know that there can be different severities of water damage, from a small leak to a flooded home. However, what some may not realize is that water damage is actually categorized based on the origin of the water and its level of contamination. These categories are important, because they give insight into potential health threats the water could pose and the steps needed to ensure the damaged property is fully cleaned and restored.


Category 1: Clean Water Damage


Clean water is defined as originating from a source that does not pose harm to humans and that is free of sewage or known toxins. Unsurprisingly, this is the least serious of the three types and the easiest to clean. Wet materials may even be able to be saved by drying. An example of clean water would be some coming from a water intake for a washer or dishwasher.


Category 2: Gray Water Damage


Gray water does contain levels of contamination which has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed. It may come from the water outtake of a washer, dishwasher, or toilet. Unlike clean water, items damaged by gray water cannot simply be dried. In order to be safe, everything must be removed and thoroughly decontaminated.


Category 3: Black Water Damage


The most dangerous form of water damage is black water. This occurs when the water is grossly contaminated and certain to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed. Examples of black water include sewage and flood water. When a structure is impacted by black water, it is necessary to remove most materials, reconstruct, and thoroughly disinfect before it can once again be considered inhabitable.


Cleaning and Restoration After Water Damage


No matter which category of water damage you experience, you will need the help of restoration experts to restore your home or business to its pre-loss state. Our team of water mitigation and restoration experts will take all appropriate steps to ensure your health and safety are protected from potentially dangerous levels of contamination. Meanwhile, we also work to get you back onto your property as quickly as possible – staying true to our mission to ensure continuity of lives and businesses. Contact Guarantee Restoration today to get started.

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Meet The Team | Whitney Hampton

By Christina Mullins • October 8, 2025
Ahh, October. It’s hard to fathom that we’re already on the brink of Halloween — and then, you know how the rest of the year goes. Before long, we’ll be preparing for our last full company meeting, Family Day, and our Thanksmas celebrations. The end of 2025 will be here before we know it! That being said — no matter what the busy season brings — when it comes to property damage emergencies, our team is always there for you. Meet the Team | Whitney Hampton Every month, I have the opportunity to showcase one of our awesome team members. For October, we are excited to introduce you to Whitney Hampton , one of our Gulfport Business Development Representatives. Gulf Coast Roots & Family Life Whitney was born and raised in New Orleans but has split her time between Louisiana and Mississippi throughout her life. She later moved to Gulfport, where she graduated from high school. As a young adult, she lived in Bossier City, LA. Now, she is back on the coast in Biloxi, where she raises her two children, Kohen and Kobi, with her husband. Education & Professional Background Whitney graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Marketing — SMTTT! This December, she’ll be finishing her master’s in marketing with a specialization in Digital Strategy. Before joining our team in December 2023, she worked in property management. Whitney started in leasing, then was promoted to Community Manager, where she received the Best Marketing Award in 2023 . Life Outside of Work Personally, when she is not working, Whitney is usually busy with “The Adventures of Kohen and Kobi.” They love spending their weekends exploring new places, such as the science museum, zoo, or splash pad. Staying active and making fun memories together is what she enjoys most. Sports are a big part of the Hampton household. They are big Philadelphia Eagles fans — GO BIRDS! They also love the Florida Gators and have attended many games in Gainesville. Saturdays and Sundays are definitely football days in their house.
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