Flood Clean Up Services is a major undertaking that should be done by professionals with experience. They use specialized equipment to extract water, dehumidify the area and restore damaged areas.
It is important to ensure personal safety before beginning flood cleanup work. There may be hidden dangers such as damaged pipes, exposed electrical wiring or contaminated water.
A major part of flood cleanup is the removal of water and debris from the affected area. This step is extremely important because it lessens the severity of subsequent damages, including mold damage.
If you are able to, it is best to vacuum and use a shop vac to remove excess water and debris from hard surfaces in your home such as flooring, countertops and furniture. If you are unable to do this yourself, it is important that you call in professional flood cleaning services. This will ensure that all areas of your house are thoroughly cleaned, and will also minimize the amount of cleanup work required in the future.
When removing materials such as wood or drywall that have been in contact with flood waters, it is important to wear safety equipment including long sleeves and closed-toe shoes. Also, it is recommended that you wear a mask to avoid breathing in any harmful contaminants. You should also take precautions to prevent electrical shock, especially if you are using a saw or other power tools.
After the excess water and debris has been removed, it is time to dry out the affected areas of your house. This is where the drying process begins and should be done as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of further damage. Use fans and dehumidifiers throughout the affected areas to circulate the air and help with the drying process. Moisture absorbers like DampRid can also be used in rooms and smaller spaces to draw out moisture and odors.
Don’t forget to unblock gutters to allow the water to run off your property and into sewer systems. In addition, be sure to remove any debris that has been deposited in the gutters such as trash, leaves and even animal droppings.
It is recommended to clean all surfaces and materials that have come into contact with the flood waters with a disinfectant soap or bleach. This includes food, beverages, utensils and medicine that were exposed to the water or mud. Any foods that have been contaminated with bacteria should be thrown away and not eaten.
Deodorizing
Depending on the type of flood and how it was caused, many items inside the home may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or even toxic chemicals. This can also cause a musty odor that is hard to get rid of. Deodorizing the affected areas will help eliminate this odor and keep the area safe to return to.
This can be a lengthy and difficult step but is important to the success of the flood cleanup process. If you’re unsure how to deodorize your flood-damaged property, contact a professional disaster restoration company. They have the skills and equipment to tackle this task quickly and efficiently. They can also provide a thorough inspection of the damage to ensure that all areas are clean, dry and ready for repair.
If your home has suffered severe flood damage, you will need to start by removing all of the standing water from your home. This will include scrubbing down walls and surfaces with warm soapy water to remove any dirt or debris that has been impacted by the flood. Be sure to pay special attention to areas that have been affected by sewage flooding, as these areas will likely need to be disinfected using a bactericidal agent.
Once the flooded areas have been scrubbed and dried, it’s time to begin the cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing process. This step is critical in preventing the growth of mold and ensuring that all items are sanitized and free of harmful bacteria and germs. It’s also important to clean all items that came into contact with flood water, including furniture and carpeting. This will help prevent the growth of mildew, which can be extremely hazardous to your health.
Remember to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing any sort of flood cleanup or repairs. This includes a mask that is certified to filter out any dangerous particles and a pair of rubber gloves. In addition, it’s a good idea to use a HEPA air cleaner to remove any remaining dust and debris from the area. It’s also important to make sure that you have enough fans in your home to circulate the air, as it will help reduce the amount of moisture in the air.
Cleaning Up
When a flood occurs it leaves behind a muddy mess that can be very dangerous. This is true whether the flood is caused by mother nature’s fury with tropical storms, intense thunderstorms and raging rivers that overflow their banks or of a man-made variety when pipes burst, washers overflow or sinks and toilets overflow into homes. The clean up process for both types of floods must take into consideration a number of different things.
Homeowners should not return to their properties until local officials give the all-clear signal, as contaminated water and compromised structures pose many dangers. However, even once they are safe to enter, there is much that needs to be done.
For example, floors and walls often need to be scrubbed or washed with a disinfectant soap mixture. Carpeting and rugs that are soaked with water or sewage should be thrown out, as can wood furniture that has been in contact with the wet sand. Items that cannot be cleaned or thrown away should be covered in plastic bags and stored in a freezer until they can be washed and disinfected.
Once the home is clean and sanitized, it is important to dry out the building as quickly as possible. This can be accomplished by opening windows and doors, weather permitting, and using fans and dehumidifiers. Professionals, such as those at Exit Mold, can also use moisture detection equipment to locate hidden pockets of water that are not visible to the naked eye.
Structural drying should not be attempted without expert help, as it is a critical step in preventing future problems with mold and mildew that may damage the building.
Lastly, yard areas that were flooded should be sanitized with a liberal application of hydrated lime, which can be purchased at garden and lumber stores or from many hardware supply outlets. This will reduce bacteria from sewage and other contaminants that can cause gastrointestinal illness, vomiting and diarrhea. This is especially important for children and pets who have come into contact with contaminated floodwaters.
Repairing Damage
When it’s time to begin repairing the damage done by flooding, you will need to be very careful. Wear PPE (personal protective equipment) including safety goggles, rubber boots, a hard hat, face mask, and gloves. Make sure all power and water is turned off and check for damaged power and gas lines before entering the building. Look for cracks in the foundation, broken pilings, shifted floors and walls, and other structural damage. If you notice any issues that pose dangers, stay out of the area or leave the building completely until local officials give you the all-clear to return.
During this phase, you will also need to sort and discard items that are unsalvageable. Doing so will help you to avoid a massive cleanup and restoration bill in the future. It will also help you to avoid health concerns like mold and mildew, which can lead to a variety of health problems.
If you’re unsure whether something is salvageable or not, don’t hesitate to consult a professional flood restoration specialist. They can use high-powered pumps and vacuums to extract water from carpeting and other flooring surfaces, as well as specialized moisture detection equipment to identify hidden pockets of moisture that may not be visible to the naked eye. They can also provide structural drying services to prevent further damage from occurring to wood, metal, and other materials.
After all the standing water has been removed, you can begin to restore your home or business. This process can be lengthy, but it’s well worth the effort when you see your hard work come to fruition as the building begins to look and feel like a home again.
Before attempting to clean and repair flood damage, be sure to contact your insurance company to find out what documentation you will need to have on hand for the claim. They will likely want to view your property and any salvageable personal belongings, so take detailed photos of the flood damage from several angles and make note of even minor issues like water stains on walls and ceilings.