CONTENTS: Reacting to mold | Disinfect my home | What can I salvage | What to clean first | Supplies | Mold and flood information links
How do I properly clean up my home if it has been flooded or has water damage?
First, make sure electricity and natural gas or propane tanks are shut down. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that electricity and natural gas or propane tanks be shut down when returning to a flooded home — affected residents should use battery-powered flashlights instead of candles after dark in case a gas leak has occurred. Avoid wading in standing water.
I’m concerned about mold? Is it a hazard after water damage?
Molds can produce toxins. There is always a little mold everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces. However, when mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, especially from flooding, they will attach themselves to many things and grow. Many building materials such as wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, and fabric (and others) support mold growth. (return to top)
Who is mostly at risk in reacting to molds?
Mold exposure doesn’t always present health problems indoors. People who have allergies or those whose immune system is compromised are mostly at risk. Symptoms may range from minor irritations such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation but they can cause severe reactions such as fever, shortness of breath or infections. (return to top)
How do I disinfect my home?
Fully disinfecting a home after it is flooded is critical, and it is even more important if small children will eventually be crawling on or touching affected surfaces. The CDC's flood-cleanup recommendations suggest that all walls, hard-surfaced floors and household surfaces be cleaned and disinfected with soap, water and bleach – one cup of bleach to five gallons of water. Usually most household cleaning products will do the job if used correctly. Look on the label for directions to see how much to use. Also check to see if the product is safe on certain materials. Follow all directions and safety precautions. If possible, ventilate the area while using any cleaning products.
Belongings that cannot be washed in hot water or dry cleaned, such as mattresses or upholstered furniture, should be air-dried in the sun and sprayed with disinfectant. Carpets should be steam-cleaned, and residents should wear boots and rubber gloves while cleaning, especially if any kind of sewage backflow occurred during flooding. (return to top)
Can Isalvage everything?
No. Certain building materials such as drywall, paneling, carpet and some furniture that were damaged by prolonged exposure to moisture may have to be discarded. Not everything is going to be salvageable and capable of reuse.(return to top)
How do I know what to clean first?
Start with one room at a time beginning with a wall at the bottom or wherever the worst damage occurred. The American Red Cross suggests the following two-bucket approach: use one bucket for the cleaning solution and the other for the rinse water. Replace the rinse water frequently. (return to top)
What supplies will I need?
The following is a checklist of clean-up items you may need: rubber gloves, cleaning products and disinfectants, buckets, hose, rags, plastic trash bags, brooms, mops or sponges, hair dryers or fans. Use caution when using electrical items in a damp or wet area. (return to top)
