Do It Yourself Flood Cleanup

Cleanup

• Do not return home until the authorities have deemed the area safe. Flooding upstream can impact your area days after the initial flood. As long as water is present surrounding any building, there are risks. Avoid any moving water. Bear in mind that flood waters are a power force. Road and structure damage is possible. Use caution when entering the flooded area.
  Inspect the outside of the house before entering the building. Note if there are unusual odors such as gas leaks. Turn off the electricity and water if there are any signs of damage. Inspect the building's foundation.
  Take proper precautions when beginning flood cleanup. Mold develops on items that have been water soaked for more than a day. Wear an N-95 respirator with non-vented goggles to prevent inhaling mold and other contaminants. Because of possible water contamination from sewer or septic tanks, wear rubber gloves during cleanup.
  Rinse walls and shovel out any mud in the home. Follow up with cleaning of all hard surfaces such as showers with a household cleaner or ammonia. A vinegar or trisodium phosphate solution is also effective for removing mold. Spray surfaces and wipe off with clean rags. If possible, run a fan or start your home's heating system to speed drying. Work from the floor up to prevent any streaking.
  Toss out anything that cannot be cleaned. Inhalation of mold can cause allergic reactions and skin irritations. As long as contaminated items remain in the home, there is a risk of possible issues. Get rid of any refrigerated or frozen foods.
  Dry the rugs thoroughly before cleaning. Brush off any surface dirt or mildew. Once dry, vacuum the rugs. Shampoo rugs with a commercial rug shampoo. Allow rugs to dry completely.
  Prevent further mold buildup behind baseboards. Remove baseboards from all flooded rooms to drain any remaining water. Allow the walls to dry thoroughly before replacing. Use a mildew-resistant paint to touch up any damaged areas. Replace any wood that is damaged beyond repair.
  Inspect floors for buckling and warping. Plywood subfloors often cannot be repaired after flooding. If only a small area is affected, replace the plywood. Buckling floors may be repaired by nailing the affected areas. However, contact a contractor if there is extensive damage.