By Ty Kelly
Flooded basements may cause panic to even the most strong-willed homeowners. If you are the king or queen of home maintenance, you might be thinking, ‘where did this water come from?’
Each year, floods kill more people than hurricanes, lightning, and tornadoes combined. They may also wreak havoc on businesses as well as homes, requiring everything from new structures to furnishings and drywall.
If your commercial property or home is flooded, one of the things to prioritize is safety. This may include staying away from the place until the government officials confirm it is safe to go back. Apart from that, it is also important to learn the following ways of cleaning up your home after the flood:
- Get Rid of Damaged Items That Are Beyond Repair
It is unfortunate that not everything might be saved after the flood hits your home. Because of the risks of mildew or mold, many upholstered furniture should be tossed in the dumpster, along with pillows, mattresses, and box springs.
Wood furniture can be salvageable, based on how long and deep the water stood. Be sure to check the furniture to see whether it is structurally weakened by water.
- Determine the Indoor Scenes
Before you handle clean-up, keep in mind that severe damages need a professional. Many experts have professionals and heavy-duty machines to get rid of water and check molds. Plus, every issue with floors and walls needs to be handled professionally.
However, don’t bother trying to save items, which are contaminated by oil or raw sewage. Instead, you should discard them. You can also check the ceiling. A water spot on the ceiling can be a sign of roofing damage.
- Use Tools
In order to get rid of debris and water from the floors, squeegees can be suitable for getting rid of bigger volumes of water. You can use floor squeegees on different surfaces like linoleum, asphalt, concrete, and tiles.
Depending on your valuation, you may also decide which tools can fit your requirements. A wet vac can be suitable to deal with minor flooding in confined areas. However, in bigger rooms with a deeper water level, professionals at Pumpbiz suggest that you can use a sump pump to remove water.
- Follow the Local Laws
Some places completely forbid the re-entry of flood places until licensed inspectors verify that you are safe to go inside.
If you are unsure of where your state or country needs such an inspection, be sure to ask your local police or insurance agent. Failing to follow this requirement can affect your insurance claim.
- Prioritize Your Safety
People sensitive to mildew and mold exposure need to put on goggles, masks, gloves, and respirators during clean-up.
It is also advisable to take a shower, remove, and wash the clothes you had on when cleaning so as to avoid carrying molds everywhere you go.
Concluding Thoughts!
After heavy recedes and hurricane blows, more issues might just be starting. Water damages may quickly result in molds, which may pose serious health risks.
The above tips may help avoid molds and begin the clean-up effort after the flood to prevent those health risks.
