First and foremost, you should never start cleaning a building after floods before local officials give the all-clear signal. Attempting to enter a building before this can be hazardous due to compromised structures and contaminated water.
Having the right crew on board is essential to this process, whether made up of family and friends, community volunteers or professional services. Check out Flood Clean Up Services for more information.
Emergency Water Removal
Flooding can cause significant water damage to your home or business, and the longer it goes untreated the more severe the damage. If you’re dealing with a flood, it is important to call in professionals immediately for fast and reliable water restoration. They can provide emergency water extraction services and sanitize the affected areas. This will prevent further damage and potential health risks from bacteria and mold.
Water emergencies from a burst pipe or flooding can strike any time, day or night. This can be caused by storms, sewage backups or even a leaky washing machine. Unexpected floods put your carpets, hardwood floors and other property at risk, and the longer it goes untreated, the more damage will occur. Water damage repair and restoration experts are available 24/7 to respond to your emergency and start the process of restoring your property and your peace of mind.
Emergency water restoration starts with the inspection of your property by a trained professional. They will assess the damage and check for structural damage. They will also look for areas where the water is coming from and if there are any safety hazards. They will then extract the water and use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area as quickly as possible.
If you are able to do so before the flood waters hit, it is recommended that you move any furniture and valuables to a safe place. If not, they may be irreparably damaged by the flood waters and may become a breeding ground for bacteria. It is also recommended that you turn off any electricity in the affected area as this will reduce the risk of electric shock.
After the water is removed from your property, it will need to be sanitized and disinfected. This will help to eliminate any bacteria and mold that has grown in the flood water. To sanitize dishes, wooden cutting boards and wood or plastic utensils, soak them in hot soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes. You should also throw away any baby bottle nipples and pacifiers that have come into contact with flood water.
Structural Drying
A burst pipe, serious flooding during a storm, or a leaky roof can leave your home or business vulnerable to water damage. The restoration process requires a thorough approach to address the problem and mitigate the resulting structural damage. Rather than waiting for your building and its contents to dry naturally, which can cause further harm and delay repairs, rapid structural drying is the fastest and most effective solution. It uses four principles to help restore your space quickly and effectively.
The first step of structural drying involves removing any standing water. High-capacity pumps, wet vacuums, and other specialized equipment are used to remove as much moisture from affected surfaces as possible. This can be a tedious process, but it’s essential to the success of the drying process. Moisture that is left behind can promote wood rot, dampen floors, and lead to toxic mold build-up.
Once the surface water is removed, air movers are used to circulate the space and speed up the drying process. Dehumidifiers can also be used to draw moisture out of walls and other surfaces. Moisture meters are also used to track progress and ensure that the materials are completely dry. This helps to reduce restoration costs and prevent future problems such as odors, bacteria, or toxic mold.
Before beginning the structural drying process, a professional will conduct an assessment of the water damage. This will identify the source of the intrusion and determine which areas are most affected. The restoration process will then be adapted to best suit the needs of the structure.
Structural drying can be a complex process, but it’s an important part of flood cleanup services. The process of restoring your property after a flood can take a long time, but it’s crucial to avoid further damage and prevent problems like mold and rotting. A professional team can handle all aspects of structural drying to ensure that your property is safe and sound. They can also suggest steps to take in the future to protect your home or business from further flooding and water damage.
Deodorization
Flooding leaves behind a musty smell that can be hard to get rid of. Professional deodorization treatments can help. These are usually a mixture of disinfectant soaps and water. The treatment is sprayed on the affected surfaces and then rinsed off. It is a great way to kill bacteria, viruses, and molds that can make you sick. It also removes unpleasant odors and makes the environment more comfortable.
While it is tempting to jump right into cleaning up the damage, this can be dangerous. Before returning to your property, it is essential to wait until local authorities give the all-clear signal. During this time, they can check for hazards such as flooded power lines, compromised structures, and contaminated water. They can also assess the extent of the flooding and its effects on the home.
Once your property has been cleared of floodwaters and initial debris, it is a good idea to clean the entire area with a mixture of warm soapy water and bleach or other disinfectants. This will ensure that any remaining germs are killed and prevent future infections. It is also a good idea to clean the clothes, shoes, and other personal items that were left in the water.
After cleaning and disinfecting the property, it is a good idea to let the property dry completely before moving in. This will reduce the risk of mold and other structural damage. You can speed up the drying process by running fans and dehumidifiers. This will also reduce the risk of rot and other damage to the property.
Finally, it is important to deodorize the property. This will help eliminate the musty smell caused by the flood and make the property a more pleasant place to live. You can use odor neutralizers and air fresheners to do this.
Once the property has been cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized, it is time to move on to the final phase of flood cleanup: Repair and restoration. This is a difficult and time-consuming step, but it will help to restore your home to its pre-flood state.
Mold Remediation
A serious issue that can be caused by floods is the development of mold. These fungi thrive in wet environments, and they can start growing within 48 hours of an event. They pose a risk to both human health and the structural integrity of buildings. Therefore, it is essential that any potential mold is eliminated as quickly as possible. This can be done by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner, as well as opening windows to ventilate with outdoor air. It is also important to wash any fabrics that have been exposed to water, such as curtains, rugs, and clothing. These can be washed with hot soapy water and disinfected.
Once the initial dirt and debris has been removed from a flood damaged property, it is time to assess the building’s condition. This step is critical, as it will reveal any damage that needs to be repaired, and will allow for a more thorough cleaning and disinfection process.
Professionals will use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden moisture and determine the best course of action for restoring the property. They will then take the necessary steps to dry out the affected areas as quickly and thoroughly as possible. This may involve the use of fans, dehumidifiers, and heat, depending on the extent of the damage. They will also use anti-fungal agents to prevent the growth of mold.
It is essential to keep in mind that a flood-damaged property can contain dangerous bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. These can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory issues and skin irritation. It is important to wear rubber gloves, goggles, and a mask when working on a flood-damaged property. This will protect you from the germs in the water and any chemicals that might have been used during the cleanup process.
Although a flood-damaged property can be challenging to restore, it is important to remember that every step forward is one closer to recovery and restoration. By ensuring safety first, documenting the damage, contacting insurance companies, organizing a cleanup crew, and conducting the initial building assessment, cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, repairing, and handling personal belongings, it is possible to successfully navigate the recovery process.