Flooding can cause serious damage to homes and property, but there are steps that homeowners can take to begin cleaning and rebuilding after any water-related disaster. Use this guide to help you conduct a safe assessment of the situation and learn how to clean up after a flood.
Note: Only return to an evacuated area affected by flooding after local authorities advise that it is safe to do so. Do NOT step in standing water if there are downed power lines near your home, wait for power company personnel to let you know when it is safe.
STEP 1 – INSPECT:
Notify your insurance company of the disaster. It's also a good idea to take photos of everything to document for your insurance claim.
Examine your home's exterior. Foundation cracks or other visible damage can indicate it's unsafe to enter. If this is the case, contact a professional structural engineer to assess the damage.
Be sure that electricity and gas are turned off.
Have water, gas, electric, and sewer lines checked professionally at an appropriate time.
Protect yourself! Wear waterproof boots, eye protection, and durable rubber gloves before touching anything.
Beware of snakes, insects, and other animals that may have floated in with the floodwater.
Don't force open a door. While it may be swollen from water, the door might also be providing support to the rest of the structure.
Ventilate! Open as many windows as you can to get airflow happening.
Only use battery-operated lights and never use gas-operated generators indoors.
STEP 2 – REMOVE DAMAGED ITEMS:
Remove all water-logged furniture, carpet, and bedding from the home within 24 hours of the water receding. Removing the furniture and other contents, both salvageable and not, will make space for you to thoroughly clean and sanitize the property.
You may want to keep any damaged items onsite in case the insurance adjuster needs to see them. Check with your agent.
Soaked mattresses and upholstered furniture should be discarded.
Flooded carpet and rugs are likely contaminated and, in most cases, will need to be removed. Carpet padding should always be replaced.
Before using any flooded gas or electrical appliances, be sure to get them checked out by a professional.
Plastic, metal, and solid wood furniture may be salvaged. Take outside to hose off mud, then clean, sanitize, and let dry slowly - away from direct sunlight.
Discard any and all food products (with the exception of commercially sealed canned goods, which can be salvaged if you remove the label, clean and sanitize the can, and relabel it with the contents and expiration date).
Photos and important papers can be frozen within plastic bags in a frost-free freezer until there is time to thaw and clean them. You want to do this to prevent mold and pathogen growth from occurring.
STEP 3 – CLEAN FLOORS:
Remove mud** and silt with a shovel or another appropriate tool, then hose down surfaces. (Cleanup should begin as soon as the water recedes to prevent mold growth.) **You will need to keep removing mud as it appears in the weeks following the flood.
Tile might be salvaged, but subfloors must be checked for water damage and dried.
When power is restored, use dehumidifiers and fans to aide drying, which could take several weeks.
Begin drying the subfloor as quickly as possible after carpet and padding or other flooring is removed. (Wooden subfloors may swell if submerged for extended periods. Affected portions will need to be replaced.)
In the weeks following the flood, watch carefully for signs of mold or mildew. Treat with a disinfectant that can inhibit mold and mildew growth such as Simple Green d Pro 3 Plus.
STEP 4 – CLEAN BASEMENT
If you have a basement, it's probably the first spot to fill with water during a flood. Be sure to use a water pump to remove as much water as possible before drying the space.
Pump out water gradually, about 2 feet per day, to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped out too quickly, pressure from water-saturated soil could cause your basement walls to collapse.
Pull moisture from the air and woodwork behind the walls by using a dehumidifier.
Concrete is a porous material, so interior foundation walls must be cleaned, sanitized and dried.
STEP 5 – CLEAN WALLS:
Open all flooded walls to prevent odor, slow mold growth and the decay of wall studs.
Remove any baseboard trim and drywall that's one foot above the water line.
Consider removing a six-inch section at the ceiling level to promote airflow within the wall.
Plaster and paneling might be saved, but it is essential that air circulate into wall cavities to dry the area for this to happen.
Remove all damp insulation from inside the wall.
Remove visible mud from wall studs, clean and spray with a disinfectant to control mold.
Pressure wash any brick wall exteriors. Wood and Masonite siding will likely need to be replaced if it's water damaged.
STEP 6 – DISINFECT EVERYTHING
Stagnant water and organic debris can breed harmful bacteria and cause lingering odors.
After any type of flooding, it's essential to clean and disinfect all hard surfaces to remove harmful bacteria, viruses, and mold. Use a ready-to-use disinfectant to simplify the process and ensure thorough coverage.
To protect your family's health and safety, use a disinfectant such as d Pro 3 PLUS. Carefully follow label instructions to ensure you use the product correctly.
