Flood damage recovery can be difficult, regardless of whether you are a hurricane survivor and/or a homeowner with bad luck. This guide will help you get through the worst and make it easier to start again.
Table of Contents
Flood Cleanup: Where do you start?
Document the damage first
Before you begin any cleanup, contact your insurance company. Photograph the areas affected, including any damage to furniture, clothes or appliances. These photos will be used to support your insurance claim.
Keep track of your electricity bills until you have your home restored. You may be covered by your insurance for additional tools and equipment needed to restore the house to its normal state.
Next: Prepare for Flood Cleanup
Get the water out
After you have documented the damage, rent a pump for any standing water. To dry out any remaining water, you can combine a dehumidifier with fans and your heating system.
Get your supplies
To avoid additional trips to the grocery store during flood cleanup, gather all the supplies you need.
Flood Cleaning Supplies and Safety Equipment
Tools
- Rubber gloves
- Protective eyewear
- Mask for the face
- Knee pads
- Long-sleeved clothing
- Boots
- Shovel
- Large bucket
- Chlorinate bleach
- Towels
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Dehumidifier
- Fans
Supplies
- Trash bags
- Trash cans
- Utility knife
- Prybar
- Hammer
- Floor scraper
- Pliers
- Saw
- Wet shop vac
- Broom
- Renovation dumpster
Check this checklist to help you clean up after a flood
1. Removing residual dirt and mud
After the water has been removed, take your boots, gloves and a shovel. To get rid of the debris left by the flood, use the shovel to scoop it into the trash can. It can be thrown in your yard or put it in a dirt container.
2. Don’t keep items that are beyond repair
After a flood, however, not all items can be saved. Most upholstered furniture, including any mattress, pillows, and box springs, will have to be thrown in the dumpster due to the possibility of mold or mildew.
Wood furniture can be salvaged depending on how high and how long it remained in the water. To determine if your wood furniture has been structurally damaged by water, check it out. It should be thrown away if it is.
3. Establish a Dry-Out Zone to Salvageable Items
Place a drying area outside or in an unaffected area of your home where you can dry salvageable items. To thoroughly clean each piece, use a approved furniture cleaner and a cloth. After they are done cleaning, place them in a designated area to dry. Wait until you have completed the flood cleanup.
To disinfect polluted floodwaters, all contaminated curtains must be taken down and washed. Professional cleaners may be required to clean rugs and other items. You can throw your carpets and rugs in your dumpster if they are damaged or you don’t want to deal with the hassle of hiring a professional cleaning service. A leased dumpster may hold a lot of rubbish. You can remove unwanted items using the service of dumpster rental Plymouth.
4. Get rid of damaged flooring
After a flood, carpeted floors are often not able to be cleaned. If water is not quickly removed, it can soak down to the carpet pad and cause damage to your subfloor. Also, if your laminate or wood floors are damaged or warped, you should remove them and throw them away.
You will need to follow the following instructions depending on what type of flooring you have.
How to Tear Out Carpet
- Grab the carpet at the corners of the room with pliers and pull it off from the subfloor. If pliers don’t work, you can use a prybar.
- Use a utility knife to cut the carpet into manageable pieces.
- You can remove carpet padding by gently pulling it from the subfloor.
- Use a pry bar, hammer and pliers to remove carpet tack strips or staples.
How to Remove Laminate or Wood Flooring
- Cut floor boards into sections that are no more than 3 feet in width. Cut only a few inches too deep, or you could damage the subfloor.
- Use the pry bar to lift boards.
- Take out any staples or nails used to attach flooring to subfloor.
- Check your subfloor for damage. If you suspect that there is a problem, it’s best to call a professional.
5. Look for Soft Spots and Bubbles on Walls
Check your walls for any water damage bubbles or soft spots.
You may be able remove small portions of damaged walls and save the rest. You may have plaster walls, depending on the age of your house. These instructions will help you remove sections from each type of wall that are part of flood cleanup.
How to Remove Plaster Wall Parts:
- You can mark the area with a pencil to make sure you know where to go.
- Turn off the electricity at your fuse box or breaker.
- You can use a hammer or a mallet to smash the plaster until it cracks.
- Continue to remove the entire section.
- If you notice any damage to the lath beneath, use a prybar to lift the strips from the studs.
- Take out the nails from the wall studs, and toss them away.
How to Remove Drywall Sections:
- Mark the area affected with a pencil. To mark straight lines, use a level. To mark any studs in the area, use a stud locater.
- Use a drywall knife to cut across the lines. Be sure to stop at any studs.
- You can use a putty knife or a hammer to remove the affected area from the rest of the wall.
6. Clean and disinfect all surfaces
Cleaning up after a flood is a crucial step. Make sure to disinfect and wipe down all affected rooms. To wash down walls and prevent mold growth, mix two tablespoons bleach with one- to two gallons water in a bucket. Make sure to not over-saturate the surface. Use a stiff-bristled brush, or wring your towel out before you use it.
Don’t sweep up dirt or mud on walls. The harmful bacteria that can be found in dust from floods can remain behind. Instead, spray the affected area with water and then vacuum the dust using a dry/wet shop vacuum.
7. Make sure the area is properly ventilated
Ventilate the room before you bring anything back into your home. If possible, keep windows and doors wide open and use fans to dry everything thoroughly.
Continue to repair the damage
After your home is completely dry after a flood, you can call in professionals to help with repairs. A general contractor is the best person to install new flooring or walls, and inspect for structural damage. The heavy lifting of flood cleanup is done. Let the pros do the rest.
