The flood recovery process can be daunting. So, where do you begin? Flood cleanup involves many steps as well as health and safety considerations. From initial flood cleanup to eliminating moisture and removing mold, here are some tips to consider as you begin flood remediation in your home.
Take Safety Precautions
Before beginning any sort of flood cleanup, it’s important to make sure it’s safe to enter the area. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests not returning home after a flood evacuation until professionals say it is safe to do so. When you do enter, the EPA recommends wearing goggles, protective gloves and an N-95 mask to help prevent contact with mold and contaminants. Avoid walking through standing water, which can contain debris and contaminations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says. In addition, avoid touching any electrical equipment that’s wet or while you are standing in water, FEMA says. If you can safely turn off the electricity, FEMA suggests doing so to help avoid getting an electric shock.
How to Remove Standing Water
Mold and moisture aren’t the only risks that floodwater can bring. Standing water can harbor bacteria, dirt and sewage, which can get into the air and your home, the EPA says. That’s why it’s important to remove standing water as soon as you safely can. The EPA suggests using a wet vacuum to suction water from floors and carpets.
Find more tips: How to Clean Up After a Flood
How to Remove Moisture
After you’ve removed standing water, moisture can remain long after a flood. Moisture in and around your home can result in mold, odors, rust and corrosion.
In addition to airing out the space by opening windows and doors, strategically placed fans and dehumidifiers can help with the moisture elimination process. You’ll also want to absorb any remaining moisture. Concrobium Moisture Grabbers pull lingering moisture into expandable pouches and trap it inside, making them an effective tool in the flood cleanup process, especially in small rooms or enclosed spaces. They can also be used for ongoing moisture control in areas typically prone to dampness, such as basements and crawl spaces.
Find more tips: How to Remove Moisture After a Flood
How to Remove Mold
Despite your best flood cleanup efforts, it’s possible for mold to grow after a flood. Mold can result in health problems as well as property damage. Some items can be cleaned after developing mold, but there are a number of items that should be thrown out. It’s a good idea to do some research to determine what can be saved.
For instance, you should throw away porous objects such as books, mattresses, couches and carpeting that weren’t cleaned and dried within 48 hours of floodwater exposure, according to FEMA.
Many hard surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected, FEMA says. If you determine items can be cleaned and kept, consider using a product like Concrobium Mold Control to kill mold spores on variety of surfaces like concrete, wood, plastic and fabric.
Find more tips: How to Remove Mold After a Flood
The flood cleanup process involves a lot of careful considerations. If you experience flood damage, be sure to put safety first and follow the steps necessary to eliminate moisture and mold from your home and belongings. Then, knowing you’ve taken steps to reduce risks, you can more confidently continue the flood recovery process.