FLOOD CLEANUP

When faced with a flooded basement, house or other buildings, the last thing you might think about is the indoor air quality. Failure to remove contaminated items/materials and reduce the moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health problems. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria and mold. These can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

Here are some steps to take if you have experienced flooding in your home or other buildings.

1. Turn off electricity!

2. Begin removing standing water when the floodwaters are no longer covering the ground outside. In the case of several feet of water in the basement, draining the water too fast could cause serious structural damage to the house due to the outside pressure of the high ground water. Slowly draining the water (two to three feet per day) will equalize the pressure on both sides of the wall.

3. If mud is present, remove it as soon as possible, and other debris. It is easier to get rid of it while it is wet.

4. By lowering the humidity in the house, everything will dry more quickly. Lower the humidity by opening all doors and windows during the day. At night when the house is warm inside and the temperature drops outside, it will draw moisture indoors so close up the house at night. Open closet and cabinet doors and remove drawers, if possible. If you have electricity, using fans will help move the air and dry out the home. Do not use central air conditioning or the furnace blower if the ducts were under water. Running dehumidifiers will help reduce moisture especially in closed up areas. Use desiccants (materials that absorb moisture) like chemical dehumidifier packs or clay cat litter. Drying your home could take several weeks but worth it. The musty odor may remain forever if not thoroughly dried out well.

5. Assess pipes for breakage or leaks. Do not drink tap water until you can determine it is safe to do so.

6. Remove wet items/materials. If covered in mud, rinse. Items that were wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours should be discarded because they can remain a source of microbial growth. Discard food items that were touched by floodwaters, even food in tin cans and bottles or jars with bottle caps or screw on lids.

7. Cleaning with basic household cleaning products will do the job if used according to the label and sanitizing after cleaning will kill the germs and smell. Use two buckets, one for rinse water and the other for cleaner, to keep the dirt out of your cleaning bucket. Replace rinse water often. Certain appliances and electronic equipment may store electricity even if it is unplugged and could cause unexpected shock. The motors and heating elements of appliances such as washing machines, dryers and vacuum cleaners may need to be cleaned and disinfected before using them—do not use detergents. Be sure to let motors and others parts dry thoroughly. Lubricants may need to be applied to prevent rust and corrosion. Upholstered furniture and carpet typically requires cleaning by a professional service. Valuable papers, including books, photographs, stamp collections, can be rinsed and frozen (in a frost-free freezer) until you have time to work on restoring them.

The above information is a condensed overview of “Repairing Your Flooded Home” available by searching for it at http://www.redcross.org. It includes much more information you might find useful. To obtain a printed version or questions, please contact Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.

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