6 Steps to Cleaning Up after a Flood 

Rohan Mathew

Updated on:

Flood damage can make a mess of your home. The house is nearly collapsed and many of the contents are destroyed. It

It would be an easier job to clean up a flood by taking flood cleaning services. It allows you to follow up on what you need to do to get your back in the pre-disaster condition.

Step 1: Document the Damages

The initial damage should first be documented as proof to claim your compensation with the insurance company. You are to take pictures of the flooded area, moldy wall and floor, wood rot, destroyed furniture and appliances. The documentation will help to substantiate the claim you made to the insurance company.

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Step 2: Pump out Water

Cleaning up flood damage requires you to rent a pump to remove the majority of the water. When there is just one 1 inch of water left, you can put a dehumidifier to dry out the puddles. The mud and residual dirt will remain after the area is dried up. You’ll have to use a shovel to toss this dirt into a garbage bag and dump them in your garden. Wet mud can be heavy so you should only fill the trash bag half full. 

Step 3: Set Up a Designated Area for Drying

When you move your stuff outside, you need to set up an area to dry everything. If you don’t set up an area, you’ll end up strewing your stuff all around the area. When cleaning the furniture, make sure you use a clean cloth and approved furniture cleaner. After the furniture is cleaned, you can place them in the designated area to dry. Curtains and bedding that have been soaked in flood water need to be washed, and bleached. Bleach can help to disinfect them from the contaminated flood water. You can hire a professional carpet cleaning company to clean the carpet. If the carpet has mold or smells very bad, you can throw it into the garbage can.

Step 4: Remove the Damaged Flooring

Some parts of the flooring are likely to be damaged due to prolonged water soaking. If your floor is carpeted, you will need to use a plier to tear it out. At the very least, you should cut out the section of the carpet that is affected. Wood board and the sub-flooring may rot after exposure to water for a prolonged period. It is best to get a professional to help you in tearing out and replacing your flooring if you are not experienced.

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Step 5: Check for Soft Spots

Additionally, you should check the walls for bubbles and soft spots. These bubbles can be burst with a tool that has a sharp point. A plumber will be able to use a moisture meter to detect dampness behind the wall. They can hammer out the damp plaster wall and replace it with a new one. Fans and large dehumidifiers can be run for at least 3 days to dry the wall.

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Step 6: Clean and Disinfect All Surfaces

The last step is to clean and disinfect all the surfaces. You can mix bleach with water in a bucket to create the disinfectant. After that, you can use a stiff brush to brush all the surfaces. It is hard work since you have to brush the surfaces with your strength continuously. You can hire a restoration services company to clean and disinfect the surfaces for you. They have the appropriate brush and detergent for cleaning and disinfecting all your surfaces.