Post-Flood Action Plan Steps
Floods can cause serious water damage. Floods can cause serious water damage to your property and home. While some items can be disinfected and cleaned, others need to be discarded and replaced. Floodwaters can lead to mold and bacteria growth so it is crucial that you get rid of any traces as soon as possible. Your chances of salvaging items are better if you have them removed immediately. Learn what you can do after a flood and what to throw away.
What To Do After A Flood:
- Drain the water. You can drain the water yourself, but a professional restoration company such as 911 Restoration of Mesa will be able to quickly clean up after a flood.
- You should get rid of any items that have been contaminated with sewage or floodwaters.
- High-velocity fans or structural drying dehumidifiers can dry your house.
- To clean items that are slightly damp, use soap. Next, disinfect the items with bleach or rubbing alcohol.
- Qualified technicians are qualified to inspect your appliances and electronics.
- You can make repairs to your home, including replacing carpeting or hanging new drywall.
Who To Call In A Flood Emergency
You should immediately contact a water damage repair firm in case of an emergency. It is possible to save time and get rid of the water as quickly as possible. Even if your home is still under water, they can send a flood recovery team. This will reduce the amount of damage and save you money. You can do the restoration yourself, and you should clean up as soon as possible. Use a submersible pumps to remove water. Use high-velocity fans to remove water or dry dehumidifiers to repair flooding.
What Can You Do After A Flood?
Many household items can be cleaned up after a flood. Items that have been submerged in floodwaters or are contaminated by sewage will need to be disposed of. Anything moldy or damaged should be thrown out.
Walls
You can dry and clean the walls after a flood. The water can quickly cause drywall crumble. You will need to replace drywall that is crumbling, warping or bubbling. Cut damaged drywall 6 inches above the waterline, then place it in heavy-duty bags. Use fans or dehumidifiers to dry the wall studs. To clean the walls, use mild detergent. Spray them with bleach to disinfect. Allow to dry completely before you hang new drywall.
Hardwood Cabinets
First empty the cabinets, then discard any items that are damaged. Use fans or dehumidifiers to dry hardwood cabinets. You might need to sand or refinish cabinets, depending on how severe the flood damage was and what water staining has occurred.
Laminate Or Composite Cabinets
As hardwood cabinets, empty the cabinets before you start. Because of their natural nature, water can cause laminate and composite materials to crack or swell. If they are damp, dry them thoroughly. Next, inspect them for damage. If cabinets have been damaged by water, replace them. Wash your cabinets with soap and warm water to kill mold and bacteria.
Upholstered Furniture
Fans or dehumidifiers can dry furniture completely. Use an upholstery cleaner or a carpet cleaner with an upholstery setting. Follow the manufacturer’s directions when cleaning an upholstery cleaner or carpet cleaner. To clean metal and wood parts, use a mild detergent. Spray the cleaner with non-bleach disinfectant, and allow to dry. To deodorize, sprinkle baking soda on the cleaner. Allow it to sit for several hours before vacuuming. Repeat the process as many times you want.
Hardwood Furniture
If there is no mold, you can dry the hardwood furniture with fans or dehumidifiers. To clean the items, use mild detergent. Spray the items with a non-bleach detergent and allow to dry.
Furniture Made Of Laminate Or Composite Materials
Furniture made from laminate and composite materials can warp, crack, or swell when they are submerged under floodwaters. You should get rid of any weak or damaged items. You can dry damp items with air movers or dehumidifiers. Next, clean and disinfect them as you would other furniture.
Carpeting
To dry the carpet, you can use fans or dehumidifiers. Next, shampoo or steam clean the carpets. Spray a non-bleach disinfectant to prevent mold growth. Baking soda can be used for removing odors. You should remove and replace carpet padding. Carpeting can be dried.
Hardwood Flooring
To dry hardwood floors, fans or dehumidifiers can be used to blow them off. Next, clean the floors with oil soap. Then, clean the floor with oil soap. It may be necessary to sand or refinish the floor depending on the extent of the damage. You may need to replace bent or damaged boards.
Vinyl Or Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring can be cleaned and dried after a flood. You can kill mold and bacteria by cleaning the laminate floor with soapy water. Then, you can use bleach to clean it. Depending on the extent of damage, you may need to replace some boards.
Mattresses
You should dispose of your mattress if it is submerged in floodwaters, sewage, or any other liquids. You can dry your mattress if the floodwaters come from a source. Use towels to absorb any water that has gotten onto your mattress. To extract any water, use a vacuum to clean the mattress. The mattress should be dried thoroughly using fans or dehumidifiers. Spray the mattress with equal parts of 70% sterile alcohol (or water) to disinfect.
Electronics
Make sure that you have certified technicians inspect any wet electronics before you use them. You should also throw out any items that were soaked in water following a flood. You can clean most electronics with a damp cloth, then disinfect with bleach. Flat-screen TVs should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It is not always easy to clean and disinfect remote controls or game controllers.
Toys
Toys can be cleaned easily with warm water and dish soap. You can also disinfect them using rubbing alcohol. As long as there’s no sewage, you can wash plush toys.
Curtains and Drapes
The material of the item may allow you to wash it. Items may need to be professionally dried cleaned. Curtains that have been contaminated by sewage or mold should be removed immediately.
Books And Documents Photos
If books, documents, or photographs aren’t covered with mold, they can be dried. Water can cause books to become damaged, so dry them thoroughly. Although a hair dryer might work, the best way to dry paper is in the freezer. It’s easy to use and minimizes drying damage.
Heirlooms And Artwork
You can restore art and heirlooms depending on the extent of damage. It is best not to clean or disinfect them. Always call a restoration specialist or an art preservation company for assistance.
What Appliances Can Be Saved After A Flood?
Many appliances can be saved from flooding. Before you use appliances, it is a good idea to have them inspected by an appliance technician. To clean your appliances, follow the manufacturer’s directions. Next, clean them with bleach. All appliances that have been in direct contact with sewage should be thrown out. A technician can service these appliances to save them from being damaged by flooding.
- Dishwasher
- Dryer
- Microwave
- Mixer
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Washing Machine
After a flood, it is best to throw away small appliances like blenders and toasters. These appliances can be costly to repair and are difficult to clean.
What To Throw Out After A Flood
You should dispose of any food or medicines that have been contaminated by flood waters. You can still get medicines, but they won’t dissolve in the floodwater. Food can also spoil even in the floodwaters.
Food
Any wet food should be thrown away immediately after a flood. Pet food should also be avoided. Two exceptions to this rule exist. You can eat canned foods and other food items as long as the original plastic containers are intact. Clean and disinfect the container before you use it. Any meat, poultry, or dairy products that have been in the refrigerator for more than four hours should be thrown out. All items should be thrown away within eight hours.
Medicine
Flooded medicine can cause severe damage to prescription and non-prescription medicines as well as cough drops, lozenges, and other medications. Please contact your doctor immediately to get your prescriptions replaced.
How To Wash Clothes After A Flood
After a flood, you should wash all clothing that has been wet. It is possible to wash clothes that are contaminated with sewage, but it is best to throw away anything that has turned moldy
- Soak clothes in baking soda and warm water to get rid of unpleasant odors. For every gallon water, let the clothes soak in half of a cup baking soda.
- Next, wash the clothes using regular laundry detergent. You may need to wash your clothes multiple times in order to remove stains and odors.
- Only dry your clothes after all stains and smells have disappeared. For best results, hang items outside in the sun.
Flood Cleaning Near You Is Fast And Reliable
Are you dealing with flooding or water damage to your home? Our certified water damage restoration specialists will quickly repair any water damage. (602) 899-6888. for a free inspection and 24-hour emergency water cleanup.
