Flood Damage Cleanup: The Inevitable

Flood Damage Cleanup: The Inevitable by Ramona WeislyFlood damage cleanup could probably be one of the worst nightmares of a homeowner. Just imagine all the furniture, appliances and fixtures you worked so hard to invest in, soaked through with dirty water and mud. Of course, you are not expected to glorify the flood water either; however you could try the following suggestions listed below on how to start the flood damage cleanup of your house once the dangers of the flood has diminished.Figure a way on how you could reduce or remove the water and mud from the house during a flood damage cleanup. As the house could be in a jumble floating mess, open all necessary exits that could help in making the water run out of the house. You could also try to find a water pump that will help you eliminate the water from the house.Before starting to move about the house once the water has been removed, make sure that the main electric switch and the gas valves are all turned off.It is more practical when doing a flood damage cleanup to remove all movable furniture outside, so cleaning and moving about will be faster and more convenient.Clean the house by portions; it is advisable to start from the farthest corner or part of the house, so that mud is not trekked on the portions that were already cleaned out, which will happen once you start to clean the rooms or parts nearest the exits or doors of the house.If mud is present when a flood damage cleanup is underway, get a shovel and a pail or a wheel barrow. It would make you work easier to shovel the mud up and put it in a container so it could be put outside the house where it belongs.If you have an indoor drainage, clean spray with a water hose directing the mud and dirt ahead of you towards the drainage.Clean all surfaces that require cleaning. Brush all required surfaces with soapy water mixed with bleaching agent, and then rinse them out by wiping them with wet clean rags rinsed in clean water.If the furniture is beyond repair, there is no use in keeping them. Instead, put them out of the house for the next garbage collection and try to replace them later on. Next, locate all wet beddings, curtains, blankets, or clothes that the water may have reached and carefully segregate them. If you are going to use the washing machine, use hot or warm water to launder the items. But if you intend to hand wash them it is advisable to pre-soak them in soapy water overnight and wash them out the next day. Segregate clothes from other household linens and fabrics that need to be washed.After having cleaned out the house, air dry by using a dehumidifier and opening the windows. If you have an air fan or air conditioner, turn them up as this will help circulate the air and reduce moisture from the house. Drying every affected property or item is one of the main purposes why a flood damage cleanup is necessary. Make sure that the house or an area is completely dry before putting back the furniture or fixture to avoid mildew build-up.Ramona Weisly is a water service advocate for Flood Damage Cleanup San Francisco, CA and Detroit Flood Damage CleanupArticle Source: eArticlesOnline.com