Guidelines To Quickly and Effectively Clean Up Post-Flood

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

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A flood can wreak havoc on your home's structure, belongings, and even your home's environment, as the water can carry contaminants and mud. For this reason, it is imperative that you begin content cleaning efforts as soon as the waters recede, or as soon as the influx of water has stopped. The more time you take to begin cleanup efforts, the greater the chance that your home and belongings will experience irreversible damage.

Floods can damage everything from carpeting to furniture and from your home's ductwork to its HVAC system. If you want to minimize damage and restore your home to normal, there are particular areas to which you must pay attention:

• Heating and cooling systems

• Appliances

• Ceilings and walls

• Electrical systems

• Sewage systems

• Carpeting, vinyl, and wood floors

Content Cleaning Tips.

Though the majority of flood cleanup should be left to the professionals (especially if gray or black water is involved), there are a few steps you can take before your local SERVPRO team shows up. First, contact your insurance company. If your homeowners' insurance policy covers the damage, an adjuster will be in contact with you.

Once you've made the necessary phone calls, begin to shovel mud out of your home. If a garden hose reaches the flooded area, you can use the hose to spray mud away. Once the mud is gone, start sanitizing. Scrub surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner. Soak belongings that can be soaked in a mixture of hot water and chlorine bleach. If the items in question are metal, such as silverware or pots and pans, simply let them sit in boiling water for 10 minutes.

Take any rugs and furniture outside to air dry and use a dehumidifier and fans to remove moisture from the air. You can also begin to toss smaller, contaminated items, such as toys, stuffed animals, and food.

Ideally, you should leave the deep content cleaning to the professionals, as professional flood restoration teams know what is salvageable and what is not. Moreover, experts have the necessary safety equipment to restore your home to a pre-flood condition.

For more information, call your local SERVPRO team today!