The Right Way to Clean Your Home Post-Flood: Need-To-Know Requirements

9/19/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to cleaning up after a flood, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

Though you should never attempt to flood clean on your own, you should be aware of the cleaning requirements that your Englewood, FL, flood cleanup restoration team uses. Requirements are in place for a reason—to keep professionals and homeowners safe and to prevent further damage. Some CDC recommendations that professionals abide by are as follows:

• Block off the contaminated area.
• Don protective clothing.
• Discard contaminated materials.
• Use commercial flood disinfectant.
• Keep the area well ventilated.
• Dry out the area.

Safety Is Key

When you work with a professional flood restoration team, you'll notice that each member of the team takes extra precautions to keep both themselves and occupants of your home safe. Floodwaters often contain harmful contaminants, including but not limited to human waste and harsh chemicals. For this reason, two cleaning requirements that all experts adhere to are to block off contaminated areas and don protective clothing.

Discard What Cannot Be Cleaned

This is probably one of the hardest requirements for homeowners to abide by, as it often involves getting rid of favorite items. Carpets, furniture, curtains, and other porous materials that were in the flood zone likely need to be trashed and replaced.

Use Commercial Disinfectants

Standard house cleaners such as 409 and Tide aren't strong enough to kill the bacteria that float in on floodwater. If you want to ensure that your home is safe to be in, let your water damage cleanup crew wipe down all surfaces with powerful, commercial-grade flood disinfectant.

Get Clean Air Flowing

The air in a room affected by floodwater is bound to be moist, and moist air breeds mold spores. To minimize the risk of mold growth, your flood team is likely to open the windows and use industrial-grade fans to get clean air flowing through. This may also help to speed up the drying process.

When it comes to cleaning up after a flood, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Talk to your Englewood, FL, flood damage restoration team regarding proper cleaning requirements for flood cleanup.