Each year, floods kill more individuals than hurricanes, lightning, and tornadoes combined. They may also wreak havoc on businesses and homes, requiring everything from new structures to furnishings and drywall.
If your house is flooded, your priority should be safety. Without the right cleanup, bacteria and mold might also result in more damages down the road. To prevent this, here are tips for cleaning up after a flood:
- Clean and Salvage Carpeting
It is important to send removable rugs and carpets out for professional cleaning. It is unfortunate that installed carpeting cannot be cleaned adequately and needs to be thrown away.
If part of your carpeting got wet, you might use a vacuum to remove water. You may also clean your carpet using an extraction cleaner.
- Get Rid of Water on the Surface
Immediately you stop the source, ensure you start removing the water. Depending on your assessment, you have to choose tools that fit your requirements.
A wet vacuum can deal with small flooding in a confined place, but a bigger room with a deeper water level will need you to use one of the best sump pumps or water extractors.
- Check the Safety Hazards
If you are insured, be sure to contact your insurance company to report the flooding issue for assessment. Water damages might threaten the stability of your house, from its supporting ceilings and beams to floors and foundations.
If the floodwater level is deeper or you’re concerned that the structure can collapse, don’t risk going inside the house. Gas leaks are also deadly and hazardous, so be sure to notify your utility company if you suspect that there are problems with the gas pipe.
- Remove the Flooring
Whether it is solid wood, ceramic tile, laminate, and sheet vinyl floor, you need to remove it because moisture might make mold or bacteria to grow.
Immediately you discard this, make sure that everything is dry and clean before installing new flooring. Remember to maintain your home’s humidity at around 40% and use a moisture meter to ensure dampness content is below 15%.
- Do Away with Damaged Properties and Debris
Before cleaning your house, you need to remove everything, which is contaminated. Your neighbors would be doing the same thing; thus, ensure you check with your city or country if they will help for cleanup.
You may also talk to your neighbors regarding splitting the expenses of a big dumpster. It is important to arrange this as much as possible since most waste management firms can be stretched thin trying to meet the demands after floods.
- Follow the Local Laws
Some places prohibit re-entry to flooded houses until licensed inspectors have verified that they are secure.
If you are unsure whether your state needs inspections, make sure you ask your local police or insurance agent. Not respecting this requirement can easily affect your insurance claim.
Final Remarks!
From broken pipes and leaky roofs to torrential downpours, when flood invades your house, the damage might be brutal and swift. Food contamination and mold growth are the major concerns.
Your first step needs to pick up a phone and contact your insurance agent so as to report the water damages. A good insurance agent can offer you cleaning guidelines and recommend you to a professional contractor with experience in mold removal as well as repairs.
