3 Cleaning Requirements After a Residential Flood

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

Home flooding in Design District, FL

Three Cleaning Tips to Remember if You Experience Home Flooding

Experiencing home flooding in Design District, FL, can be traumatic, and this is often compounded when you return home and realize the cleaning requirements that come in the aftermath of a flood. When you live in a flood-prone area, it's important to learn what you need to do to complete your flood clean and disinfect process.

1. Remove Contaminated Materials
Many household items can absorb floodwaters and become contaminated. Items such as furniture, rugs, and toys should be moved outdoors to dry. Some can be cleaned, but many typically need to be replaced:

• Mattresses
  
• Inexpensive furniture
  
• Stuffed animals
  
  

The cleaning requirements are generally too expensive or time-consuming to be worthwhile for these items.
In addition, drywall that has been soaked with floodwater needs to be removed and replaced. Floodwater contaminants can remain in damaged drywall indefinitely, even after it has dried. This process can be made easier with the help of a flood damage restoration service.

2. Disinfect Solid Surfaces
Kitchens and bathrooms contain many hard surfaces that should be cleaned using a flood disinfectant. This is not limited to counter and floor surfaces. Be sure to clean any glassware, cooking tools, and other hard containers. Chlorine bleach is an excellent EPA disinfectant for many surfaces, but requirements vary by material. For example, bleach should not be used to clean metal, as it may discolor the surface.

3. Protect Delicate Valuables
It can be devastating to realize that cherished photographs and other important papers might have been destroyed in a flood. Some of these items may possibly be restored, so it is important to properly care for them quickly. Gather your valuable papers and carefully wipe them clean and dry. Freeze them in plastic bags to prevent additional damage from occurring until a professional can restore them.
Home flooding can be difficult to recover from. Knowing what are the cleaning requirements and how to properly care for your home and belongings in the event of a flood can help you get back on your feet more quickly.