Regardless of the cause, home flooding can be devastating. And while it may not be where the most valuable items are stored, the basement is still messy to clean up. The process can be complex, depending on an individual's home and the circumstances causing the flood.
The Environmental Protection Agency publishes a complete set of reference guides detailing how to respond. But time is of the essence when a flood happens and those can be tedious and time-consuming to navigate. So here is a quick checklist to get started. It is recommended that gloves, respirator and goggles be worn during the process to protect from mold.
1. Shut off the electrical system until it can be professionally inspected.
2. Pump out the water, 2 to 3 fee each day in order to avoid cracks in the walls and flooring.
3. Shovel out any mud then use a garden hose to wash it from surfaces.
4. Open doors and windows to facilitate drying, which should be done within 48 hours.
5. Take furniture household items outside to dry or use fans to circulate air. Delicate items such as photos or books can be frozen and cleaned later.
6. Clean or remove carpet or flooring. If carpet was submerged for more than 24 hours or covered with contaminated water, it will need to be discarded. Otherwise it needs to be cleaned and dried as soon as possible.
7. Depending on the type and extent of the flooding, part of the wall board may need to be cut away to allow drying.
8. Vacuum floors, ceilings and walls to remove mildew.
9. Have appliances and air unit and air ducts serviced, cleaned and sanitized.
Once the initial cleanup is done there, the after effects of odor and mildew may linger. Here are a few tips for getting rid of the problem.
1. First, clean and disinfect all surfaces (including floors, ceilings, walls, furniture, etc.) that were in contact with flood waters. Scrub with hot sudsy water followed by a rinse solution of ¼ cup bleach to a gallon of water. Repeat the process until the odor is gone.
2. Use a low-pressure spray containing a fungicide.
3. Continue to keep watch for the grey-white mildew spots to develop on all surfaces, particularly interiors - indication that professional drying and fumigation may be necessary.
4. To get rid of lingering odor, use a deodorant, charcoal or freshly squeezed lemon juice.
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