Basic Flood Damage Cleanup Procedures
Oct 29th, 2008 by admin
By Ramona Weisly
Time is an essential factor in achieving a successful flood damage cleanup outcome. The longer the materials are submerged in floodwater, the more extensive the damage will be and the more materials you need to have replaced. Porous materials that have become irreparably damaged (like gypsum boards on your ceilings and walls that have been saturated for more than two hours,) need to be removed in order to prevent further damage to the overall building structure.
Part of cleanup is the drying process and it has to be done in the quickest time possible. The most effective way to achieve thorough drying of the entire building or house interior is through cross ventilation. Do this by opening every door and window inside your home, including closets, cabinets, and cupboard doors. Use fans and air conditioner to help speed up the process. Use of a heater is not strongly recommended because it raises the humidity level rather than decrease it. Increase humidity level encourages sprouting of mold and mildew. Keep the interior structure well ventilated until items are thoroughly dry. The length of time will depend on how saturated the materials are. You can use a moisture meter to test the progress of drying.
How to clean and restore homes damaged by flood:
Safety should also be a primary consideration before starting flood damage cleanup efforts. Before proceeding with it get a tetanus shot. It is recommended especially if your tetanus vaccination is not current. Tetanus vaccines last for 10 years or about.
Turn off all electric power as well as gas powered appliances, space heaters, and water heaters. Make a walk-through your house; inspect places like closets and cabinets for animals such as snakes and insects that the floodwater might have carried in.
Wear protective suits such as rubber boots, goggles, and gloves when doing flood damage cleanup in order to avoid skin contact. The water may contain bacteria and other harmful organisms that can cause health problems.
Take photos (or a video recording) and write notes documenting the damage before you initiate any flood damage cleanup activities, especially if you plan to file claims with your insurance company.
Remove wet and soaked materials, and wash down walls, floors, and other surfaces with disinfectant or bleach solution to inhibit growth of mold. A garden spray hose will do to make a thorough application of disinfectant or bleach solution. Upholstered furniture and mattresses that have been saturated beyond any salvage effort should be disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
Remove carpets and pads immediately. Clean the carpet and dry it. Saturated carpets and pads house bacteria that pose significant health risks to people. Vinyl tiles and other such materials may need to be replaced especially if they are already curling at the edges.
Thoroughly flush the HVAC ducts. Be sure to disinfect them too since ductwork water contains bacteria and germs already
Do not use electrical appliances until checked out and prove to be safe to use.
Lastly, take extreme care when doing flood damage cleanup to prevent injuries and to prevent exposing yourself to bacteria, germs, and other health risks.
Always wear protective gear as advised.
About The Author
Ramona Weisly is a article writer for document and water damage. For more info go to http://www.rugmasterclean.com