It’s hurricane season in Florida, which means heavy rain or storm surge can cause flooding. And unfortunately, water can cause substantial damage that requires significant and prompt cleanup. The good news is, there are beginning steps anyone can take over a period of a day to clean up the mess. Follow Crystal Cleaning’s tips for cleaning up after a flood.
This guide gives tips for conducting a safe assessment of flood damage. It will teach you what is involved with cleaning up after a flood to prevent further damage to the property.
WARNING: Only return to an evacuated area affected by flooding after local authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
Initial Inspection and Safety
Homes affected by floodwater are hazardous sites. Always assume that the water is contaminated, and therefore unsafe to drink or bathe. Do not step in puddles or standing water if power lines are down outside your home. Constantly examine the home exterior before entering. Foundation cracks or other visible structural damage can indicate a severe and unsafe condition inside. Also, turn off all electricity and gas services when you first return and have water, gas, electric, and sewer lines checked professionally at an appropriate time.
Next, notify your insurance company of the disaster. Please make a list and take pictures or video to inventory home damage, both of the structure and its contents, for insurance purposes. Be sure to wear protective clothing, sturdy waterproof boots, eye protection, and durable rubber gloves when touching anything. When looking around, beware of snakes, insects, and other animals that may be around or inside your home.
Other things to watch out for includes not forcing open doors. While it may be swollen from water, the door might also support the rest of the structure. Open windows to aid in ventilation, use only battery-operated light sources, and never use gas-operated generators indoors.
Remove Contents to Discard or Salvage
Remove all water-logged furniture, carpet, and bedding from home within 24 hours of the water receding. Long-term flooding will likely ruin most household items due to mildew and mold. However, keep discarded material on site for the insurance adjuster to see. Replace affected padding, carpet, and rugs because of contamination. Discard mattresses and upholstered furniture. Have a professional check gas and electrical appliances that flooded before use. Salvage plastic, metal, and solid wood furniture and then ake these items outside to hose off mud, then clean, sanitize and let slowly dry away from direct sunlight. Discard all food products other than label-removed, commercially sealed canned goods. The can must be cleaned, sanitized, and relabeled with an expiration date of the contents.
Photos and essential papers can be frozen within plastic bags in a frost-free freezer until there is time to thaw and clean them, perhaps by a professional. Removal of all furniture and other contents—both salvageable and discarded—allows room for cleanup of the structure.
Cleanup and Drying Prep
Aggressively control mold in the weeks after the flood. Remove mud and silt with a shovel or another appropriate tool, then use a garden hose to wash hard surfaces. Cleanup should begin as soon as the water recedes to prevent mold growth. When power is restored, use dehumidifiers and fans throughout the home to speed drying, which could take several weeks.
Take Care of Floors
Remove carpet and padding or other flooring and start drying the subfloor as quickly as possible. Wooden subfloors will likely swell if submerged for extended periods, so replace affected portions. Wood floors generally do not fare well after being submerged in floodwater. You can salvage tile, but the subfloor must be checked for any water damage and dried. Follow more tips for cleaning up after a flood.
Then Care for the Walls
Open all flooded walls to prevent odor, slow mold growth, and the decay of wall studs. Start by removing any baseboard trim and drywall one foot above the waterline. Consider removing a six-inch section at the ceiling level to promote airflow within the wall. Try to save plaster and paneling, but air must circulate into wall cavities to dry the area. Remove all damp insulation from inside the wall. Also, remove visible mud from wall studs, clean and spray with disinfectant to control mold. On the exterior, pressure wash the brick walls.
Contact Crystal Cleaning
Experience flooding damage recently? Read our tips for cleaning up after a flood. Then, give us a call right away so we can help you get your home back in tip-top shape! Crystal Cleaning is here to help you clean up any mess due to an act of nature.
