Several Steps Required in Cleaning Flood-Damaged Homes - 9/13/2004 - Home Interior Floors Stairs

Several Steps Required in Cleaning Flood-Damaged Homes

After the main switch and all circuits have been disconnected, remove the covers from all outlets and fuse or multi-breaker boxes, the extension service advises, and flush them with clean water. Let them dry and then spray with contact cleaner/lubricant. Have an electrician check for grounds and other unsafe conditions before reconnecting the system.

Other steps that should be taken when recovering from a flood include:

• Purifying all water for drinking, cooking and washing until the water source is declared safe. All foods that were covered by flood waters should be discarded, including those sealed in unopened cans.
• Take all furniture, bedding and floor coverings outside to be cleaned and dried. Carpets and rugs are best cleaned by professionals.
• Layers of submerged subfloors probably will separate, and these sections must be replaced to keep the floor covering from buckling. When flooring coverings are removed, allow the subflooring to thoroughly dry, which may take several months. Check for warping before installing new flooring.
• For wood floors, carefully remove a board every few feet to reduce buckling caused by swelling. If the boards are tongue-and-grooved, consult a carpenter about special techniques for removing them. Cleaning and drying the floor thoroughly may take weeks or even months, but it needs to be done before replacing the boards and attempting repairs.
• For tile and sheet vinyl floors, if the submerged subfloor is wood, the floor covering probably should be removed so that the subflooring can be replaced. If the floor has not been soaked, loose tiles may be recemented after the floor is thoroughly dry. Removing floor covering will speed up drying the slab if the subflooring is concrete, but it may not be necessary if it would ruin an otherwise unharmed material. If water has seeped under lose sections of sheet flooring, the entire sheet should be removed. A reputable dealer should be contacted to determine what solvent and technique will loosen adhesives with the least damage to the floor.
• Use a disinfectant to clean walls and woodwork from top to bottom. A three-gallon garden sprayer works well using one cup of household laundry chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. Scrub with a brush to remove mud and silt, rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly. If the utilities are on, a heater, fan or air conditioner can speed up the drying process.
• To deal with flood-damaged walls, open walls where necessary to avoid structural decay later. Remove water from the structure as rapidly as possible, salvaging as much as possible. Remove the interior surface of insulated walls to a point above the water height. Remove and discard wet insulation. Treat interior wall studs and plates with disinfectant. Provide ventilation by opening windows and doors and using fans. Leave the walls open for four weeks or until they have thoroughly dried. Select replacement materials that will withstand future floods.
• Delay making permanent repairs until the building is thoroughly dry, which may take several weeks.
• Take steps to control mildew. Use air conditioning to remove moisture. If air conditioning isn’t available, open windows and use fans. Turn on electric lights in closets and leave the door open to dry. Leave the lights on as long as there is dampness or high humidity.
• Recondition automotive and small engines before trying to start them, using a qualified mechanic unless you know what you’re doing.
• Household appliances and equipment that have been submerged should be cleaned and dried, and they should be checked by an appliance repairman before they are reconnected. Most motorized appliances can be saved.

An insurance adjuster should be contacted immediately to initiate flood insurance claims, the extension service says, but cleanup and salvage efforts should begin as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the adjuster. Clean the house as much as possible so that the adjuster can see the damage, and keep damaged materials to prove losses.

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