Flood Cleanup

The consequences of a flood can be devastating. Floods can take lives and leave you stranded in a world full of misery and pain. Fortunately, property can often be restored. Flood damage restoration is not an easy task, but it can be a necessary undertaking.

Repairing flood damage:

For a homeowner, flood cleanup is one of the most difficult tasks to begin, as it is hard to dispose of things that may have been costly or emotionally significant. It is certainly a painful position to be in. The situation should be handled wisely, and you can make things better by making the right decisions in terms of flood damage cleanup.

So what’s the best way to get started?

In most cases, it is a good idea to ask for flood assistance from a specialist. In doing so, a weight will be lifted from your shoulders and you will be able to get your old home back in no time. For more urgent cleanup situations, you can attempt to handle the matter on your own, but you must be especially careful in terms of handling electrical appliances.

Guidelines for moving on:

Basically, flood repair is all about dealing with water damage – and that’s how the situation must be approached.

First of all, get rid of any food that may have come in contact with floodwater. This also includes food storage containers that are not waterproof. You can, however, keep any metal cans that have strong seals, but it is better to rinse them after removing their labels for added safety.

After ensuring that you have discarded all food items that are not healthy to eat, it is time to take the bull by the horns – time to begin the flood damage cleanup process. In order to do so safely and effectively, you should keep the following guidelines in mind:

Start by calling a contractor to assess any structural damage done to your property, and follow with an electrical inspection in order to avoid any electric shocks from live wires.
If you have flood insurance, get in touch with your insurance agent so that he or she may pay a visit to your home in order to judge the extent of damage.
Now you may begin the cleaning process. Remember to wear gloves, especially if the damage was done by black water, or contaminated water from polluted streams, sewage, etc.
To repair damaged appliances, consult with an appliance repair specialist, or turn off the electricity to clean it on your own.
Mold and mildew will be your next target. First, start by removing mold growth on your home’s exterior. Use a vacuum cleaner or sponge to remove any visible mold.
Fungicide spray may be used after the existing mold has been removed.
After dealing with mold, it is time to pay attention to your walls. Wash your walls thoroughly to remove all dirt, mud and debris.
Finally, wash your rugs and carpets outside of your home, and dry them completely by placing them flat on a concrete driveway.

These are a few basic guidelines, but keep in mind that the flood cleanup process may be even more extensive, depending on the scope of damage inflicted by the flood.