With serious flooding invading homes and establishments, owners have to contend with the reality of flood damage cleanup and water damage to their properties and investments. Restoration is the only key to minimize financial losses from these disasters and place everything back to normal. The following outlines practical tips and guidelines that owners can follow in their efforts for restoration.

Preliminary Preparations

Before owners begin any flood damage cleanup activity, it is imperative that safety measures be followed and adhered to. Wear proper gear at all times, which include but are not limited to: coveralls (preferably made from synthetic materials); gloves; safety shoes; goggles; hard hats and OSHA-approved masks (OSHA stands for Occupational Safety & Health Administration, a certifying agency for protective clothing).

Electrical power should be turned off during the flood damage cleanup activities. Any remaining appliances or electrical gadgets that have remained plugged to electrical sockets should be detached and removed. Other furniture should also be removed from the premises. If these items have been water damaged, separate restoration activities can be performed on them as well.

Damage Assessment and Flood Damage Cleanup Activities

The extent of damages to flooded homes varies greatly depending on how long the house has been subjected or exposed to water. It is vital that all areas of the house be checked during the flood damage cleanup activities to ensure no complications would occur after inhabitants return to their dwelling. For severe damage, it would be wise to have a professional company assess the situation and have an estimate of the possible cost involved in the restoration process. At this point, it would also be wise to check your insurance policy coverage. Take pictures and video of the damaged property for use with claims that can be filed later.

Flood damage cleanup should begin by checking for standing water remnants and mud. Water should be removed using submersible pumps. Mud should be physically removed as much as possible and residues cleaned with water. Use ammonia, bleach or chlorine based detergents to remove any dirt and grime that have adhered to the floors, ceilings or walls.

Checking for structural integrity should also be done. For safety reasons, it would be wise to check if the foundations are structurally sound or if these would already require major repairs. Seek the advice of professionals in this regard.

Air blowers and dehumidifiers can be used to totally dry out the surroundings. Proper ventilation is also needed to hasten the drying process and can be achieved by opening windows and doors, including cabinets and other fixtures inside the house.

The last step in the flood damage cleanup program is to check for mold infestations. Discoloration on the walls and flooring, as well as wooden or organic furnishings and fixtures would indicate the growth of molds. A musky odor can also indicate the presence of molds. Check for the source of infestation and proceed with cleaning. Use bleach and detergent during the cleaning process. Finally, treat affected surfaces with fungicide to prevent further growth of molds.

Wrapping up the Flood Damage Cleanup Activities

After the cleanup activities owners should have a clear assessment as to what areas in the structure should be left as is or would need replacement. Tiles and floorings can be restored by applying additional sealants, or even mortar as necessary. Vinyl or linoleum floorings could be detached, the subflooring cleaned, and reinstalled anew. Walls and partitions made of wood, fiberboard or gypsum boards can be retained if damage is minimal. However, prolonged soaking or exposure to water for these types of materials would necessitate replacement.

Owners should decide clearly, which furniture or appliance should be returned back into the establishment. The risk of mold infestations should be taken into consideration to avoid risk of health hazards later on. Molds thrive on organic materials like wood, rugs, carpet, paper and cardboard. If possible, these materials should be discarded to prevent further infestation and avoid health risks.

Flood damage cleanup can be a tedious, tiring and sometimes costly activity. However, such procedures are required to restore affected establishments and make it habitable once more.

Read more:

[http://www.steam-n-dry.co.nz/Floods-x.htm]
[http://www.floodauckland.co.nz/flood-restoration-auckland.htm]
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