Dealing with the aftermath of a flood is no easy task. However, it’s essential to tackle the cleanup promptly to avoid causing further damage to your property. Failing to dry out your home after a flood encourages mold growth which is difficult to deal with. Also, the more your items sit on the water, the fewer the chances of saving them.
If you’re uncertain about your ability to manage the cleaning process after water damage, it may be wise to consider hiring professionals. Water damage specialists have the expertise to handle such situations safely and efficiently, ensuring that neither you nor your property is at risk. To gain a better understanding of how these professionals can assist you with flood-related issues, you can read more on the Water Damage Specialist website.
While waiting for the experts, here are some basic steps that you can do to clean up your home after a flood effectively:
Turn Off The Electricity And Gas
After a flood, the first thing you should do is switch off the electricity and gas. You should only start cleaning your flooded home after switching off the utility. However, you should never attempt to switch off the utility if doing so requires you to stand on water. Therefore, study the area and determine if there’s a possibility of standing on the ground with no water.
Suppose the ground surrounding the electrical service panel is submerged in water. In that case, you should contact an electrician to avoid being electrocuted.
Additionally, immediately contact your gas company if there’s water around gas-powered appliances, such as a water heater or furnace. If you notice a smell like rotten eggs, it could indicate a gas leak, which can lead to a serious fire. In this situation, leave your home right away and wait for a professional to address the issue.
Protect Yourself
Flood water is usually contaminated and can cause deadly diseases. It’s not advisable to proceed with cleaning activities in a flooded house without protecting yourself. The best way to protect yourself is by wearing protective gear such as gumboots, gloves, a face mask, and a waterproof apron. They can prevent direct contact with contaminated water on your skin, preventing the likelihood of contracting diseases.
Remove Standing Water
Now that you’re in protective gear, it’s time to begin the cleaning activity. First, you need to remove the standing water. Here, you can use buckets when dealing with lots of standing water. After removing as much water as possible, use a wet or dry shop vacuum to remove the remaining water. Then, remove debris and mud while still damp to prevent the mass from creating a crust.
You should also remove wall coverings up to the highest waterline mark, such as wallpaper and insulation. Since you want your home to dry completely, you might need to tear down the drywall—check if you’re comfortable doing this by yourself or if you’d rather let the professionals take over.
Dry Your Home Immediately
The next step after removing standing water is drying out your home to prevent further property damage and mold growth. Mold begins to grow on surfaces after 24 hours of dampness.
The first and most effective way to prevent mold growth is by creating proper ventilation in the impacted space of your home. Start by opening windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the room. Set up fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process, focusing on areas with the most water damage.
If you have power, using an air conditioner can be helpful in drying your home after a flood, especially if it has a built-in dehumidifying function. Set the air conditioner to a low temperature and allow it to run continuously to help remove moisture from the air. It’s still essential to supplement the air conditioner with fans and dehumidifiers to ensure proper air circulation and faster drying of affected surfaces.
Lastly, monitor the progress and continue the drying process until all surfaces, including floors, walls, and furniture, are completely dry.
Clean And Disinfect Your House
After a flood, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean your home to eliminate any contamination. Start by mopping the floors with a solution of one cup of household bleach mixed into a gallon of water. Once you’ve finished mopping, rinse the floors and let them dry for about five minutes. This process will help keep your floors both clean and free from harmful contaminants.
Flood water often contains pollutants, so it’s essential to disinfect various surfaces in your home to prevent the spread of illness-causing bacteria. You can also use a mixture of liquid chlorine bleach and water to clean your walls, toilets, sinks, tiles, and countertops effectively.
Salvage And Toss
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to save everything after a flood. Items submerged in water for a prolonged period might encourage mold growth and pose a health hazard. Therefore, determine what to keep and toss. You might need to throw items such as soggy upholstered furniture, books, mattresses, and severely damaged carpets.
However, there may still be some items you can save, like utensils, wooden furniture, and toys. Nevertheless, you should clean and sanitize these items to ensure they are no longer contaminated.
Conclusion
Cleaning up your home after a flood may seem overwhelming at first. However, by tackling the process step by step, focusing on safety, and enlisting professional help when needed, you can effectively restore your home to its pre-flood condition. Remember, patience and persistence are key during this challenging time.
