Cleaning Procedures After a Flood

11/8/2020 (Permalink)

Preventing secondary damage

All-natural disasters come with their own risks, but floods are especially dangerous because they can come quickly and without warning. Oftentimes, homes aren't fully prepared for destructive floods, resulting in damage. Although the aftermath can be overwhelming, there are specific cleaning requirements you should follow. Here are basic tips to start restoring your home after a flood.

Get Rid of Water and Debris

If your home in West Delray Beach, FL, was affected by a flood, the first thing you should do is get rid of any debris. Floodwaters often contain contaminants such as:

• Livestock waste
  
• Household hazards
  
• Heavy metals or toxins
  
  

If there's a significant amount of debris or contaminated water around your home, you may need to call a storm restoration company to help with cleaning.

Disinfect All Surfaces
Scrub surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner. You can then use a disinfectant, either store-bought or homemade by using 1/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water. If you're using a store-bought cleaner, consider choosing an EPA-registered flood disinfectant to ensure all germs are killed on surfaces.

Clean Household Items
All household items are different, so be sure to research proper cleaning requirements for specific instructions.
Kitchenware such as silverware, pots and pans can be disinfected by boiling in water for 10 minutes. Do not use bleach in this case, because it may react with the metal in pans or silverware.
You can submerge glass and plastic dinnerware in bleach and hot water for 10 minutes to disinfect them. Air-dry dishes instead of using a towel.
Mattresses that have been damaged by floodwaters must be thrown out. You should take other items like clothes, bedding and furniture outside to dry as soon as possible to prevent mold and mildew.
It may be hard to get your house after a flood clean, but it's not impossible. By following the correct procedures and cleaning requirements for different objects, you can safely restore your home.