What To Do After A Flood

When faced with the aftermath of a flood, quick and immediate action becomes the key component in protecting your home from further damage. Immediately following a flood, there is a great deal of stress and countless things to consider. If appropriate precautions are not taken after a flood, you might be putting you and your family at risk and leave your home vulnerable to further damage. Ideally, you should hire a professional water restoration company to handle the flood damage cleanup immediately, but that may not be an option given certain situations.

Assessing Your Home & Property After A Flood

After a flood, you and your family should proceed with caution. Be sure to properly assess the situation and the condition of your home and property to ensure you and your family’s safety.

Re-entering Your Home

1. Do not re-enter your home until you are sure it’s is safe.
2. If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter your home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe.
3. Use caution when re-entering your home after a flood.
4. Appliances that may have been flooded pose a risk of shock or fire when turned back on. Do not use any appliances, heating or sewage systems until electrical components have been thoroughly cleaned, dried, and inspected by a qualified electrician.
5. The main electrical panel must be cleaned, dried, and tested by a qualified electrician to ensure that it is safe.
6. Depending on where you live, your municipal authority may be responsible for the permitting process before your electric utilities can be turned back on.

Safety Confirmation

1. Make sure the building is structurally safe. This may require a structural engineer.
2. Look for buckled or damaged walls or floors.
3. Watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris.

Check for Water and Its Condition

1. Flood water can be heavily contaminated with pathogenic bacteria from sewage and other pollutants. It may cause sickness and infections.
2. If your tap water smells, looks or tastes bad, don’t drink it.
3. Household items that have been flood-damaged may have to be discarded according to local regulations.

Check Your Important Documents

1. Store all valuable documents that got wet in a freezer until they are needed (After your cleanup, consult your lawyer to determine whether flood-damaged documents, or just the information in them, must be retained).
2. Record as much of your flood damaged home by photograph or video, if possible.
3. Advise your insurance agent immediately of the amount of damage to your home and belongings.

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Flood Damage Cleanup & Structural Dry-Out

When it comes to major water intrusion (like flooding), we do advise that homeowners contact an emergency water mitigation company to properly handle the flood damage cleanup. However, contacting a professional may not be a feasible option right away. In the aftermath of a natural disaster roads may still be blocked, communication channels may be down and various other obstacles may get in the way of hiring a flood damage cleanup company immediately.

Quick Cleanup tips

1. Protect yourself during flood damage cleanup.
2. Minimize contact with floodwater or anything that may have been in contact with it.
3. Keep children away from contaminated areas during cleanup operations.

Flood Damage cleanup equipment

1. Gloves (preferably rubber)
2. Respiratory protection: Masks with P100 filters for potential airborne mold
3. Mops, buckets, garbage cans (without holes) and squeegees
4. Plastic garbage bags
5. Unscented detergent
6. Large containers for soaking bedding, clothing and linens, and clotheslines to hang them to dry
7. Depending on your situation, you may need to rent additional equipment such as extension cords, submersible pumps, wet/dry shop vacuums, a carbon monoxide sensor and dehumidifiers, fans or heaters.
8. When using the equipment, keep extension cords out of the water.

Removing Flood Water From Your Home

1. Remove flood waters from your home slowly. Drain it in stages – about one third of the volume daily – because if the ground is still saturated and water is removed too quickly, the walls or the floor could buckle.
2. Use pumps or pails to remove standing water, then a wet/dry shop vacuum to mop up the rest.
3. For instructions on how to disinfect and restore wells and cisterns, contact your local health authorities or emergency management coordinator.

Check appliances & Heaters

1. Do not heat your home to more than 40°F until all of the water is removed.
2. If you use pumps or heaters powered by gasoline, kerosene or propane, buy and install a carbon monoxide sensor. These devices can produce large amounts of carbon monoxide if they’re not properly ventilated.
3. Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse-breaker panels until they have been checked by your local utility.
4. Whether you use a wood, gas or electrical heating system, have it thoroughly inspected by a qualified technician before using it again. Replace the furnace blower motor, switches and controls if they have been soaked.
5. Flooded forced-air heating ducts and return-duct pans should be either cleaned or replaced.
6. Replace filters and insulation inside furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers if they have been wet. However, it is often cheaper to replace this equipment.

Dirt and Debris

1. Remove all soaked and dirty materials as well as debris.
2. Remove drywall, wood paneling and insulation at least 2 feet above the high-water line.
3. Hose down any dirt sticking to solid-wood furniture then rinse several times.
4. Wash and wipe down all surfaces and structures with unscented detergent and water.

Clean Floor Drains

1. Flush and disinfect floor drains and sump pumps with detergent and water. Scrub them to remove grease, dirt and grime.
2. Clean or replace footing drains outside the foundation when they are clogged. Consult a professional for advice or service.

Drying Out Your Home

1. Ventilate or dehumidify the house until it is completely dry. This is usually best left to professional flood restoration and drying companies.
2. Replace flooring that has been deeply penetrated by flood water or sewage.

Drying Carpets & Furniture

1. Carpets must be dried within the first two days. For large areas, hire a qualified professional to do the job. Carpets soaked with sewage must be discarded immediately.
2. Remove residual mud and soil from furniture, appliances, etc.
3. If items are just damp, let the mud dry and then brush it off.
4. To test if material is dry, tape clear food wrap to the surface of the item. If the covered section turns darker than the surrounding material, it is still damp. Dry until this no longer occurs.
5. For upholstered furniture you should consult a professional to see what can be salvaged. In the meantime, remove cushions and dry separately. Do not remove upholstery. Raise furniture on blocks and place fans underneath.
6. Wooden furniture: Remove drawers and open doors. Do not dry quickly or splitting may occur.

What to throw away after a flood

1. All insulation materials, carpet, and anything other non-salvageable building materials.
2. Throw away all porous materials that have no sentimental value: particle board furniture, mattresses, box springs, stuffed toys, pillows, padding, cushions and furniture coverings that have been exposed to flood water.

Assessing For Mold Development After a Flood

In the event that you detect mold development in your home after a flood, you should consider contact a professional mold inspector to thoroughly assess your property.

Handling Mold Contamination 

1. Mold can develop within 24 hours after a flood. It may also lead to serious health problems.
2. You may need to have your home professionally cleaned for it to be covered by insurance. Check with your insurance company.
3. If you are cleaning up in a room where mold is present, wear a face mask and disposable gloves.
4. To minimize mold growth, move items to a cool, dry, well ventilated area within 24 hours and set up fans.
5. Alternatively, textiles, furs, paper and books can be frozen until they are cleaned.

Before Moving Back In

Once the flood waters have receded, you must not live in your house until:

1. The regular water supply has been inspected and officially declared safe for use.
2. Every flood-contaminated room has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and surface-dried.
3. All contaminated dishes and utensils have been thoroughly washed and disinfected – either by using boiling water or by using a sterilizing solution of one part chlorine bleach to four parts water. Rinse dishes and utensils thoroughly.

Contact Us to learn more about professional mold remediation services, Call us today! 609-948-8844

Flood Damage FAQ

Q: How soon should I start cleaning up after a flood?

A: Cleanup should begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Mold can start to develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure, so immediate action is crucial.

Q: Can I stay in my home during the cleanup process?

A: It is generally not safe to stay in your home until it has been inspected for structural integrity, electrical safety, and contamination. Follow official guidance and consult with professionals.

Q: What should I do if I detect mold after a flood?

A: Contact a professional mold inspector immediately. Mold can pose serious health risks and requires proper assessment and remediation.

Q: Is it necessary to hire a professional for flood cleanup?

A: While it is possible to handle minor cleanups yourself, major flooding often requires professional assistance to ensure thorough drying, decontamination, and restoration.

Q: What items should I throw away after a flood?

A: Discard all porous materials that have been soaked and are not salvageable, such as insulation, carpet, particle board furniture, mattresses, and any items that have been contaminated by floodwater.

Q: How can I prevent mold growth after a flood?

A: Keep the affected area as dry as possible, use fans and dehumidifiers, and remove any materials that cannot be thoroughly dried. Professional mold remediation may be necessary for extensive contamination.

For more information and professional assistance, call us at 609-948-8844. We’re here to help with your flood damage cleanup and mold remediation needs.