How To Clean Up Flood Water

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

How To Clean Up Flood Water

Once you've documented the damage and initiated your claim, you can begin the cleaning process. Depending on the scope and source of the flooding, you may be able to manage the clean-up yourself, or you may need to hire a professional.

• Open windows: Unless it leads to further flooding, open as many windows as you can to increase air circulation.
• Remove water:Prolonged contact with water can cause additional damage, such as the swelling of wooden floorboards, so try to remove standing water as quickly as possible with a shop vacuum or water pump.
• Scrub carpet: Use carpet cleaner to thoroughly scrub salvageable rugs and carpet, then dry them as quickly as possible. However, if the flood water is contaminated with sewage, dispose of all carpeting.
• Clean furniture: Consult a professional to clean your upholstered furniture, and throw out any soaked mattresses.
• Remove floorboards: If you have wooden floors, remove a floorboard every few feet so that swelling doesn't cause your floor to buckle. Your adjuster will tell you if any additional floorboards, tile, or vinyl needs to be removed in order to allow the subfloor to dry. Allow wooden floors to gradually dry so that the wood doesn't crack.
• Sanitize all surfaces: After you've scrubbed hard surfaces, sanitize them with diluted chlorine bleach.

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