Flood Cleanup Utah is a daunting task and it’s important to know how to do it properly to prevent mold, bacteria and other health hazards. Before beginning flood cleanup, make sure to check for downed power lines and gas leaks.
Wash your hands often during the cleanup process and after handling items contaminated with sewage or flood water.
Flooding is one of the most devastating natural disasters that can hit homes and businesses. It can cause a great deal of damage, requiring everything from new drywall to reworking the entire structure. After a flood, property owners must clean and dry out the affected area in order to get back to normal. This process can be very difficult and time consuming. Nevertheless, there are a few steps that can help speed up the process.
Safety is the most important thing to remember during a flood cleanup. It is generally recommended to not return to a flooded home until government officials have confirmed that it is safe to do so. This should include ensuring that there are no downed power lines, gas leaks or other dangerous debris in the area. Before returning, everyone who will be working in the flood zone should wear protective clothing. This includes long clothing, rubber gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm, goggles and heavy boots.
Before reentering a building, the first step is to turn off all electricity. This can be done by calling the power company or following the instructions found at Checking Utilities and Major Systems (Opens in a new tab). It is also important to ventilate the building by opening windows and using fans. This will help remove contaminated air, as well as prevent the buildup of mildew and mold.
Once a building is safe to enter, it is a good idea to move items that can easily be moved out of the affected area and into storage. This will allow them to start the drying out process and prevent any further water damage. It is also a good idea to clean, sanitize and deodorize all areas that came into contact with standing water.
Disinfecting
Floodwaters often contain dangerous bacteria from overflowing sewage and agricultural or industrial waste. Skin contact with contaminated floodwaters does not pose a serious health threat, but eating or drinking items that have come in contact with contaminated water can cause illness. If you plan to work in a flood zone, protect yourself from exposure by wearing rubber gloves and eye protection and by using disinfectant cleaners. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water and non-alcoholic fluids while working.
Wash any clothes or linens that have been in contact with floodwater with detergent and bleach. Disinfect surfaces that have been in contact with sewage-contaminated water by wiping them with a bleach solution (one-half cup bleach in one gallon of water) or a sanitizer. Do not use cleaning or sanitizing products that contain ammonia, since they can produce toxic fumes and are ineffective against bacterial contamination.
Carpeted and upholstered furniture can be disinfected by spraying them with a deodorizing cleaner or bleach solution and letting them dry thoroughly. Foam rubber mattresses can be washed with a garden hose and a detergent solution or sprayed with a clean bleach solution. Any rugs that have been in contact with floodwater should be discarded, as they may be contaminated with sewage and other pathogens.
If you use a private well for your water supply, be sure to check with local authorities about whether the water has been contaminated by flooding and sewage. If the water is contaminated, you should boil it for one minute to kill any disease-causing germs. If you are in an area that is experiencing heavy flooding, you should consider using bottled water until your local authorities indicate the public water supply is safe to use again.
Drying Out
The next step of flood cleanup is to dry out your property. The faster this can be done, the less likely your building is to develop mold. To speed the process, open windows and doors, use fans and dehumidifiers, and spray surfaces with a bleach solution (a quarter cup of chlorine per gallon of water). Avoid using chemicals such as phenolic solvents, which can poison or damage your belongings.
Keep in mind that contaminated floodwaters often contain dangerous bacteria from overflowing sewage, agricultural and industrial waste. This may not only pose health risks for direct skin contact, but ingesting any food or drink that has come in contact with floodwater can cause disease. To protect yourself, wear rubber-soled shoes, gloves, and masks during cleanup. Avoid working outside in extreme heat and take frequent breaks. Wash clothes contaminated with floodwaters or disinfectants separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
If you’re unsure about the condition of your property, consider hiring a professional contractor to do inspection and remediation work. It’s also a good idea to consult with your insurance agent before starting any repairs or reconstruction.
Once your home is dry, you can move back in. Be sure to clean up and disinfect everything, especially wood and plastic pieces that were in the water. Items that are not salvageable, such as drywall, foam rubber and upholstered furniture, should be thrown away. If you had a septic system, make sure the tank and drainfield have been pumped out. If you suspect any raw sewage on your property, don’t enter the house until government officials declare it safe to do so. If you must enter, wear a respirator or N95 mask.
Salvageable Items
During a flood it can seem like a race against time to save family photos, valuable documents and other treasured items. It is important to prioritize and to remember that not everything can be saved, especially if the damage is irreparable.
If you are concerned about items with a high sentimental value, it is often best to transport them away from the flood zone as soon as possible, ideally to somewhere that will be safer and more secure. This could be a friend or family member’s house, a hotel room, a storage unit, etc. It is also a good idea to wrap the items in absorbent organic material such as newspaper, bath towels or sheets and pack them into a tightly sealed plastic container before transporting them.
The longer that a piece of furniture stays in flood water, the more likely it is to be unsalvageable. In addition, contaminated floodwaters can carry silt, raw sewage and other pollutants that can pose serious health risks, and these contaminants are difficult to completely clean off of furnishings.
It’s also a good idea to discard pillows, stuffed animals and other textile items that have been submerged in floodwater for extended periods of time as they may contain mold, mildew and other bacteria. Even if they have been laundered, they may still harbor these organisms.
Many non-porous household items can be salvaged with some patience, including books, magazines and photographs. Unless they have severe mold and mildew damage, they should be able to dry on their own in a well-ventilated area, such as a laundry room or kitchen. It’s a good idea to take pictures of any items you are trying to save, as this will help to document their condition and the level of damage they have sustained.
Taking Pictures
It is a good idea to take pictures of your home and any items that may have been damaged during the flood, both before and after clean up begins. These photos can help when filing an insurance claim.
Residents should disinfect everything that flood water touched, including walls, ceiling plaster and furniture. A solution of clean water and two percent chlorine bleach is recommended (two to three capfuls to a bucket of clean water). Residents should wear gloves when disinfecting surfaces.
Food and drink containers that were submerged should be discarded, as should any canned goods that have been in contact with flood waters. Dishes, eating and cooking utensils should be thoroughly cleaned using the water and chlorine bleach solution before being used.
Be very careful when removing items from the flood zone, particularly electronics. Even items not in direct contact with the flood water can be shocked if they are plugged in and powered up, so be sure that all appliances are unplugged and power off before attempting to remove them. It is also recommended that you use caution when entering a flood zone, and be aware of any odors or strange noises as these can indicate the presence of dangerous chemicals, raw sewage or other harmful substances in the flood water.