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Dealing With The Aftermath Of Flood Damage

Dealing with the Aftermath of Flood Damage

Written by Professional Restoration on April 12, 2016. Posted in Disaster Recovery.

Dealing with your home and belongings after a major flood can be overwhelming. If you follow some basic guidelines, the clean up process can be a little easier. Before you enter your home follow some safety tips, maintaining your health is the most important part of the recovery process.

 

Wait Until it is Safe

 

Before you enter a home that has been flooded, make sure that it is safe to do so. If there is standing muddy water, you need to make sure the flooring is safe. If your home was only exposed to water for a few hours, you should not experience major structural damages.

Make sure the electricity is off. Do not attempt to turn off the power if you have to be in a wet area to do so. If you smell gas, do not enter your home. Call your utility company or fire department. Gas lines do not normally break in floods, but you must be aware of the possibility.

Wear sturdy boots and gloves to protect yourself from debris. If you suspect mold has started to form, use a face mask. If sewage is present, you may need additional protective clothing.

 

Document the Damage

 

Take photos. Start on the outside of your home, and record the damages inside as well. Many of your belongings may have to be discarded. You will need documentation if you have flood insurance for reimbursement on your belongings that have been damaged.

 

Getting Your Home Dry

 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold will begin to grow in as little as 48 hours. You need to remove standing water as quickly as possible and begin the drying process. Carpeting, floors and walls will still require cleaning, but the more quickly you can get areas dry, the better your overall results will be.

Open doors and windows and use fans to circulate the air. Do not turn on an HVAC system unless you are sure there is no hidden mold or bacteria inside the ducts. Circulating unhealthy air will only make things worse.

 

Cleaning Up

 

Get all clothing, bedding and other fabrics outside, if possible, to dry. If you can begin washing right away, go ahead and do so. If fabrics were contaminated with sewage, the items should be thrown out. Mattresses and fabric children’s toys, including stuffed animals, should not be salvaged.

Wood furniture should be cleaned and dried. A restoration company can let you know if upholstered furnishings can be cleaned. Books and artwork can sometimes be dried sufficiently. Kitchenware should be sanitized, use two tablespoons of bleach per gallon of warm water. Any exposed foods must be thrown out.

Shovel out any debris or remaining mud. Hard surfaces can be sanitized with a solution of ¼ cup of bleach per gallon of water. Bleach may damage some surfaces, test in a small area first. Portions of drywall, that came into contact with water, may have to be removed. Carpeting normally will have to be lifted to thoroughly clean and dry it. The padding underneath should be replaced.

The EPA recommends professional clean up and restoration in situations where there is heavy mold growth or any sewage damage. To ensure that your home is restored properly, and to a healthy condition, professional assistance is your best choice.

You can count on Professional Restoration to Respond, Recover and Restore your home and life back to order. If you’ve experienced flood, fire or smoke damage, call on our experienced team to schedule a free estimate: 303-992-4001.

Call Professional Restoration Today!

Professional Restoration specializes in supplying Denver, CO clients with exceptional care and dependable restoration practices. Our decades of experience have enabled us to tend to a wide variety of projects with the knowledge and expertise our clients deserve. Our services include a wide range of restorative work, from water and fire damage to mold remediation, sewage maintenance, and structural repair. When the time comes to invest in a high-quality restoration company, look to Professional Restoration to supply you with skilled staff members, reliable techniques, and courteous customer service.

Call Professional Restoration Today!

The Professional Restoration team’s specialty is in offering complete, in-house restoration services to address any type of property damage. Through our decades of experience, we are able to help with everything from the restoration of water or fire damage, to mold removal, and reconstruction services.

We understand that living and working through the restoration process with a remediation and water restoration company can be an incredible headache. That’s why the team at Professional Restoration will be at your side every step of the way, including dealing with your insurance company to ensure the process is manageable and equitable for you. Our staff has decades of experience navigating the intricacies of insurance claims and we’re prepared to put our expertise to work for you. When you’re ready to look for a commercial restoration company, consider Professional Restoration for our reliable processes, certified staff members, and superior customer service practices.