How to Begin Damage Cleanup After a Flood

Flood damage cleanup does not have to be impossible. Though the task at hand may seem endless, you won’t feel overwhelmed if you follow these helpful tips. Read on to learn how!

The Basic Steps for Flood Damage Cleanup

1. Call your insurance agent. Take pictures of the messy areas, videotape the vicinity, and list all damage so you can ensure that you will be compensated properly. Oftentimes your insurance company will even take care of cleaning the home, as detailed below, so you do not have as much to worry about. If not, you can begin work on the following steps yourself to get your home back in shipshape.
2. Flood damage cleanup is not going to be a pretty process. Floods are known to dig up dirt and grime, which can cause some icky things to get into your home. Because of this, it is a good idea to wear a mouth-protecting mask as you clean to avoid getting dirt in your body. Also, wear gloves to protect your hands.
3. Remove all the water using a mop, bucket, or sump pump. Phew. It is a relief to see the place look less like a swimming pool, huh? It is a start, but the work of the flood damage cleanup has just begun.
4. In addition to removing water, your job is to make the place less of a hotbed for sneaky diseases. Get started by cleaning and disinfecting the area. Use hot water and intensive cleaning products to remove grime and kill germs that may have arisen from the flood.
5. Some things must be taken outside. Let furniture, rugs, bedding, and clothing begin drying outside immediately.
6. Next, all of your precious items should be taken care of. To clean glass, porcelain, china, plastic dinnerware, and enamelware, set the items in a disinfecting solution that consists of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach for every gallon of hot water. Then, let the dishes air dry.
7. Do not forget to look in the drawers. Silverware, metal utensils, pots, and pans can be disinfected by boiling in water for ten minutes.
8. In addition to cleaning the items inside the drawers, flood damage cleanup includes cleaning the cupboards and counters themselves with chlorine bleach before putting dishes back in their place.
9. Then, freshen up the space. Use a dehumidifier to remove lingering moisture from the air. Open windows to let fresh air circulate throughout the house. Remove any evidence of mildew and mold right away.
10. Unfortunately, some things can’t be salvaged. Throw away mattresses, toys, and stuffed animals if floodwater has infected them.
11. Other things are too much to handle on your own. Have furniture professionally cleaned. Depending on the material, some of the furniture may have a good chance of being repaired, while others are less likely to be patched up. Remember, salvaging your furniture is much more cost efficient than buying new pieces.
12. Though it may seem that your treasured family photos, yearbooks, and important documents are lost forever, it is actually possible to save these things. Photos, books, and papers can be frozen and cleaned at a later time. A company like Vital Restoration specializes in flood damage cleanup and can help professionally clean your cherished items, as well as help with other aspects of the cleanup process.