Strategies for handling aftermath of floods and restoring storm-ravaged properties
Extremely wet weather can cause serious damage to homes and properties and potentially impact health long after the bad weather has passed. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to safely and effectively clean and disinfect a home after flood or storm damage.
1. Remove Damaged Materials
Tear out flood-soaked carpets, deformed wooden or laminate flooring, and any porous materials that cannot be thoroughly dried or cleaned. These often must be discarded to prevent mold growth.
2. Clean Surfaces Thoroughly
Wash all affected surfaces (walls, floors, cabinets) with warm water and detergent to remove dirt and contaminants.
3. Disinfect Surfaces
After cleaning, disinfect with a chlorine bleach solution (typically 1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Wear rubber gloves and a mask to protect against harmful chemicals during this step. Ensure full coverage of areas exposed to floodwater.
4. Dry the Home Quickly
Enhance ventilation by opening windows and doors, using fans and dehumidifiers. Lift furniture and carpets when possible to allow air circulation underneath. Prompt and thorough drying is critical to prevent mold growth.
5. Mold Remediation
If mold is visible or there is a musty odor, use a bleach solution for small areas or consult professionals for extensive mold contamination, as mold can cause health issues.
6. Water System Disinfection
If floodwater has contaminated well water, stop using the water immediately and use bottled water. Disinfect wells through shock chlorination, which involves circulating a bleach solution in the well and the home’s plumbing system, then flushing it out after a minimum of 8 hours. Water should be tested by certified labs before use.
Additional Details
- For disinfecting well water, follow steps such as circulating chlorinated water through outdoor and indoor faucets until a bleach smell is detected, leaving it for at least 8 hours, then flushing until the chlorine smell is gone.
- Do not use flood-contaminated water for drinking, cooking, or bathing until tested safe.
- Use EPA-approved disinfectants or 70% isopropyl alcohol solutions for high-touch surfaces after cleaning.
This approach prioritizes removing contamination sources, sanitizing affected areas, ensuring safe water, and preventing mold, which are essential for restoring a healthy home environment after flooding or storm damage.
Remember, safety and hygiene are paramount during this process. Practice good hand hygiene and use disinfectant when cleaning, wear protective clothing, and avoid lingering water. If needed, hire a professional flood restoration company to pump out standing water and remove mud.
In addition, floodwaters often carry sewage, chemicals, and debris, so it's important to wear protective clothing when entering a flooded home. Consider hiring industrial fans, dehumidifiers, and dryers to speed up drying times.
Before returning home after a flood or storm, it's critical to check that it's safe. Thoroughly document the damage before beginning any cleaning or repairs for insurance purposes.
Preparing for future storms or floods is also crucial. Review insurance cover, secure large items, keep tree branches trimmed, create an emergency kit and action plan, and manage your insurance policy 24/7.
Lastly, only a licensed electrician or gas fitter should check and reconnect electrical and gas systems after a flood. Floodwaters can make wiring and appliances dangerous, so an electrician should check them.
Cleaning up safely, efficiently, and thoroughly is key to protecting homes, belongings, and family health after floods or storms. Mud can seep into small spaces and linger, so check behind and under benches, in shelving, and under showers and baths.
Victoria has many flood-prone communities, with flooding able to occur at any time of the year. Be prepared and stay safe!
- The process of restoring a healthy home environment after flooding or storm damage includes the implementation of environmental science, particularly in terms of disinfecting surfaces with chlorine bleach solutions.
- Maintaining a lifestyle that emphasizes health-and-wellness is crucial during the clean-up process, as proper hand hygiene and use of disinfectants are necessary for preventing the spread of contaminants.
- After cyclone or flood damage,homes need to be thoroughly dried for the sake of both home-and-garden maintenance and reducing the potential of climate change-related issues such as mold growth and damage to properties.
