SolveYourProblem Article Series: Floods
Flood Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols

How To Clean Up After A Flood

As we have become all too well aware of – what follows a major flood - is a mighty clean up job. Eventually you will be given permission to return to your home. You may need to prepare yourself mentally to take stock of the situation and damage. It is strongly urged that you do not live in your home until several cleaning steps have been followed.

If on returning you find that your home is still surrounded by a lot of standing water - you may not be permitted to immediately go inside because of the danger of the water being contaminated or the possibility of a hidden electric current. Once you are allowed to go inside to take stock of matters, it is a good idea to wear rubber boots in case there is water inside that is covering electrical wires.

Before beginning, if you are thinking of making an insurance claim, it will be important to take pictures of your home inside and out. This will permit you to assess as well, the structural soundness of your home. Look for any buckled walls or floors. Check for holes and loose debris which could include broken glass.

There is no easy way around this. For your safety and the safety of your family, every flood contaminated room and the items affected will need to be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and surface dried. Once you can begin your clean up you may need some large containers to initially soak in disinfectant any bedding or linen that has been in polluted water. Of course you will need lots of pails, cloths, mops and sponges. Nearly everything that has gotten wet will need to be disinfected because it is more than likely that the muddy water will have carried with it chemicals and/or sewage. And it may be that ultimately some things are beyond redemption and will need to be discarded.

For contaminated dishes and other utensils, you can disinfect by using boiling water or by washing in a cleaning solution of one part bleach and four parts water. Thoroughly rinse afterwards.

A number of professionals or local authorities may need to be consulted in the aftermath to give you the go ahead to return to living in your home safely. Most importantly, you will need to know if your water is safe to drink. Often local water supplies are disturbed and can become contaminated. If left to your own devices and you suspect through taste, color or odor that something is not right with your water you may choose to either boil your water for 10 minutes, add purification tablets, or chlorinate your water with a non-perfumed bleaching compound – adding 1 drop per liter of water or 3 drops per liter if it is cloudy. Let stand 30 minutes before drinking.

You will need to confirm as well, that your sewage lines are okay and that you have a working toilet.

With regard to electricity, most people understand that they need to exercise extreme caution. Be sure to keep all extension cords clearly free from the water. If on entering your home, you know that the electricity has been restored to your area, you will want to shut it off immediately at the breaker box. If the conditions around the box are wet it is recommended that you stand on a dry board and use a stick to switch it off. And before turning any electricity back on it is vital to get the okay from a qualified electrician.

There are no words to describe the disheartening feeling of seeing one's home devastated. Though it will take a great deal of time and effort to reestablish a normal existence it will be worth it to ensure as much as possible, the comfort and safety of your loved ones.

Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere without warning. Protect yourself and your family. Click to see valuable emergency preparedness supplies and information. Be ready. Be prepared. I love this website. It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2009

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