Step-by-Step Flood Clean Up

Experiencing a flood is terrifying, and when the waters recede homeowners are left with a sense of relief and a huge mess to clean up. Debris of all kinds can be left behind by flood waters including branches, household items, and mud (lots of mud!). Flood clean up is a big job and there are restoration companies who can help, but if you want to get started on your own, here are some suggestions.

Contact the Insurance Agent

The first thing to do, even before re-entering the home or business, is to call the insurance agent so that the insurance company can schedule an inspection. While cleaning, put aside items instead of throwing them away even if they seem like a total loss. The adjuster may assign some value to them and that could make a big difference in the check received.

Be Careful of Contamination

The difference between water from a leaking roof or burst pipes and flood water is contamination. A flood sweeps through the area and picks up all kinds of things and can contain anything from the carcasses of dead animals to bottles of pesticide from your neighbor’s garage to raw sewage (it’s just plain nasty).

Shovel Out Mud and Debris

The first order-of-business after the water is gone, is to shovel out the mud and remove any debris. Be sure to wear protective clothing or, at the very least, rubber boots and heavy-duty gloves when undertaking flood clean up. The next step is to disinfect everything. Once the dirt is gone, scrub all surfaces with a disinfectant. Use 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water for this. Scrub anywhere that was touched by water.

Sort Through Furnishings

The next step in flood clean up, is to divide the furnishings into piles according to what can be cleaned and reused and what needs to be thrown away. Send upholstered furniture out to a professional for cleaning and drying. Throw away any mattresses that got wet. Solid, wood furniture can be dried and restored, but anything made with particle board and veneer probably cannot be saved. Because of contaminants in the water, toys and stuffed animals that were in the flood water should probably be thrown away. The good news is that it is often possible to save books, photos, and important papers. Wash the mud off and store them in a frost free freezer to be frozen and dried out later.for professional restoration. Wash the mud off and store them in a frost-free freezer for professional restoration later.

Dry It Out

It is important to dry the flooded area out as soon as possible and to treat the space with an antimicrobial agent to slow down the growth of mold. It is impossible to prevent mold from growing entirely, but the growth can be slowed down if you can get ahead of it during flood clean up. Any wall board that has been soaked in flood water should be removed. The insulation underneath may be salvageable depending upon the type. Styrofoam sheets can be rinsed and wiped with disinfectant. Fiberglass batts can be removed and dried and can be reused if they are not covered in mud. Blown-in cellulose insulation can’t be saved because of mold danger. They will need to be removed and replaced.

Turn off Electric

Turn off the electricity to the building and call an electrician to check the wiring and breaker box. Appliances should be professionally checked and cleaned. It is also a good idea to call a professional to inspect the heating and cooling system as part of your flood clean up plan.

TLC for Floors and Carpets

Floors need special attention during flood clean up. Remove carpeting and rugs as soon as possible. If there was sewage in the flood water, set the floor coverings aside for san francisco hazmat cleanup. It isn’t safe to try to clean and reuse them. Also get rid of any carpeting that was underwater for 24 hours or longer. Don’t try to save the padding underneath the carpet.

Once they have been removed, clean carpets by draping them over a support and hosing them off then scrub them with a disinfecting carpet cleaner. Discourage mold growth by rinsing the carpeting with water that has bleach in it (2 tablespoons per gallon), but don’t use this on carpets made from nylon or wool. On floors without carpeting, pull up the vinyl flooring or tile to allow the sub floor to dry. Dry wooden floors slowly to lessen the chances of cracking or buckling. Use fans and dehumidifiers to help floors dry.

Check for Structural Damage

Moving water is amazingly powerful and can even knock a building off of its foundation. Have a professional determine if your home or business has sustained structural damage before starting on flood clean up.

Professionals Can Help

Flood clean up can be daunting and overwhelming, but Vital Restoration can help. We are trained and certified in water and flood damage clean up and have all of the specialized equipment that is necessary. Call Vital Restoration if you find your home or business underwater.

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