It can be difficult to clean up after a flood. Taking steps to prepare for the damage is crucial. To restore your home to livability as quickly as possible, follow the following guidelines.
Safety is the top priority. Although you may feel compelled to clean, you need to secure yourself against potential hazards. A structure may be unsafe if the water contains sewage or other contaminants. It is important to remember that cleaning may result in buildings being uninhabitable.
Shut off gas and electricity
Shut off the gas before entering the house. To avoid electrical shock, shut the power off tCheck the foundation for settling, cracking or undermining. Wear rubber boots.
Examine walls, floors and windows. Have an electrician check the electrical system. If the basement is flooded, pump the water out in stages, about 1/3 each day. If you have a well you may need to disinfect any flooded areas.
Waterproof gloves
Work boots or rubber boots
Safety mask or goggles
- Prepare a first aid kit for minor injuries that may arise while cleaning.
- Make sure you wash your hands and face frequently with soap and drink plenty of water.
Insurance claims
Before you start cleaning:
Consider taking photos or videos. Taking photos or videos before cleaning is necessary for insurance claims (and tax deductions).
Ensure that all expenses are recorded.
Your insurance company may have additional requirements for filing a claim.
Flooded books and papers can be frozen until you have time to deal with them. To freeze items, place waxed paper between layers and then place them inside plastic bags.
Cleaning and disinfecting products
To begin cleaning, you should have two goals: to clean and disinfect.
Flood dirt can be removed with household cleaners.
Floodwater can carry bacteria that can cause disease. Disinfectants help to prevent these bacteria from growing.
An aerosol cleaner is less effective and more expensive than a powdered or liquid cleaner.
You can reduce your costs by buying cleaners and disinfectants in the largest size available since large areas will probably need to be cleaned.
There are some products that are not suitable for all uses. It is important to read the instructions on the label of any product before using it.
In order to clean hard surfaces such as walls, woodwork, linoleum floors, and tiles, follow these steps:
Ammonia and trisodium phosphate can be used as household cleaners.
Mud, silt, and greasy deposits can be removed with liquid household cleaners such as Top Job, Ajax, Spic-n-Span and others.
Cleaning carpets and furniture:
If used in diluted form, chlorine bleach disinfectants can be used to rinse carpets and furniture.
Textile cleaning:
Generally, moderately or heavily soiled washable textiles can be cleaned with all-purpose detergents such as Tide, Wisk, and Cheer.
To disinfect textiles that can be disinfected with chlorine bleach, dilute the solution with 10 parts water to 1 part bleach.
To disinfect all other washable textiles, use Lysol or pine oil disinfectants such as Pine Sol.
Wool and silk items should be cleaned by a professional dry cleaner if they are damaged.
Mixing chlorine bleach and ammonia is not recommended. There is a risk of poisoning from the fumes.
Steps for clean-up
Step 1. RSteps for clean-up
Open all | Close all
Step 1. Remove standing water
In order to begin the cleanup process, you must remove standing water first. You can use pails or pumps, then vacuum with a wet/dry shop vacuum.
Step 2. Remove all soaked and contaminated materials
Put them in plastic garbage bags and take them outside. Depending on local regulations, contaminated sewer water may require them to be tagged and discarded.
If your carpet, furniture, or other textiles were damaged by the water, you may have to throw them out.
Step 3. Shovel out mud and silt before it dries
After the mud and silt have been shoveled out, the next step is to dry them out. If necessary, use a hose.
After a flood, make sure you clean and dry your walls thoroughly and safely. After flood water has been exposed to walls, they must be allowed to dry from the inside out. It is important to thoroughly dry the interior framing of walls.
You may be able to salvage solid wood trim and wall finishes after cleaning, disinfecting, and refinishing them. The majority of paneling will have to be discarded.
Removing paneling after flood.
Remove interior wall finishes
Immediately remove interior wall finishes and insulation to release water and mud from wall cavities.
All wall finishes above the high water line, as well as any capillary rise (water that has been absorbed upward), should be removed and discarded. The capillary action could extend up to 1 1/2 feet above the high water mark. Remove that portion of the wall and dispose of it if moisture is measured, seen, or felt.
Isolate the walls
To facilitate rapid drying, all wet insulation must be removed. The contaminated material should then be discarded.
The majority of insulating materials are adversely affected by water.
Plaster may survive brief water exposure, but the cavity in the wall must be dried quickly. In this way, wood framing members are prevented from becoming contaminated or decaying.
Insulation in the wall cavity that is wet must be removed and discarded immediately.
Clean and disinfect the area after removing mud and water
Make sure the walls and floors are hosed down before they dry.
Repeatedly rinse the walls.
They should be cleaned and disinfected. Using chlorine bleach, start at the bottom and work your way up. Bleach and ammonia should not be mixed; toxic fumes will result.
A moisture meter can be used to detect wet walls.
A wet wall or finish can be more easily determined if you have access to one. Do not keep materials you don’t need if you do not have a meter. If you are unsure, discard it. Moisture meters are also useful for determining when walls are dry enough for re-insulating and closing up.
After a flood, scrub floors and woodwork with a stiff brush within 48 hours to prevent mildew.
Floors
A disinfectant, an ammonia-free detergent, and plenty of hot water will help you clean up. Ensure that corners, cracks, and crevices are free of mud and silt.
Clean/scrub:
Use an alkali solution such as washing soda or tri-sodium phosphate (4-6 tablespoons per gallon) to scrub mildew stained floors.
Use the instructions on the borax label to make an alternative scrub using borax and water.
A product containing ammonia should also be avoided.
Cleaning products that are non-sudsy can be used for a final and thorough wash of the floors.
Disinfect:
Use a solution of 1/2 cup chorine bleach to 1 gallon of water to disinfect all surfaces.
Woodwork
You may be able to salvage solid wood trim and wall finishes after cleaning, disinfecting, and refinishing them. Paneling will need to be discarded in most cases.
Clean/scrub:
Wash mildew stained woodwork with washing soda or tri-sodium phosphate (4-6 tablespoons per gallon).
Use the instructions on the borax label to make an alternative scrub using borax and water.
A product containing ammonia should also be avoided.
Disinfect:
Use a solution of 1/2 cup chorine bleach to 1 gallon of water to disinfect all surfaces.
In the event that stained wood remains:
Paint remover can be used to remove paint or varnish.
Make a solution of 3 tablespoons oxalic acid dissolved in a pint of water and apply it to the stains. Oxalic acid is poisonous, so use caution.
After rinsing the wood with clear water, allow it to dry thoroughly.
Ensure that the room is heated to 50 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate the drying of mildew-infested wood. Mildew-resistant paint should be applied where necessary. Infected wood should be replaced.
Within 24 to 48 hours, surfaces should be dried with heat and air
The quick drying and removal of contaminated items may prevent biological contamination or mold growth.
It is possible to significantly reduce the drying time of wet surfaces by continuously circulating heated air over them.
You can speed up the drying process by turning on the heat. However, it is important to keep in mind that it may be necessary to clean, dry, and recondition the heating system.
Dehumidifiers can help with drying.
Time required for total drying
Depending on the materials used to build the house, the total drying time will vary. Additionally, it depends on how much air circulation there is and how much moisture is present in it. Total drying time may take weeks or months, depending on the type and duration of flooding and the building materials used.
Make sure the walls and floors are dry. It may take several months to complete this process.
If necessary, treat items for mildew.
How soon can I remodel?
Performing the necessary repairs and cleaning may take several months. Renovating after a flood is best avoided for six months because the humidity is elevated.