Dealing with a flood at your home or commercial property is always challenging. As a property owner or manager, the most important thing to know is how to clean up the mess properly to ensure more damage is not caused.
Here is what you will want to know if a flood happens in your building:
Protect yourself with the proper safety equipment
Safety first! Flood water is often contaminated with anything from animal feces and other bacteria to toxic fluids and chemicals from nearby roadways. It is always necessary to wear proper safety equipment such as gloves, protective clothing and most importantly, a suitable respirator. Taking these precautions is strongly recommended.
Make sure all electrical is off
Another necessary step to take prior to starting cleanup is making sure all electricity is off in the building. This will ensure no harm will come to those during clean up.
What to Keep and What to Toss:
Unfortunately, most of what was touched by contaminated flood water should be discarded. This is especially important when it comes to anything that could have absorbed the polluted water. Anything from mattresses and other furniture items to flooring and drywall. All must be removed to ensure the health and safety of those in your building. However, there is good news. Items that can be washed and sanitized like clothing or linens can be saved.
Beware of Mold
Mold seems inevitable after a flood, but with proper clean up and drying procedures, it can be avoided, or at least caught in its tracks. It won’t appear until a few days after the flood occurred, so to be safe, monitor the area frequently for any growth. Another helpful tip is to make sure that air is moving throughout the area as mold likes to grow in stagnant, moist, warm air.
Clean Everything Down to the Studs
Yes, everything, even the studs in your walls. Leaving cavities inside of walls to dry without proper cleaning can lead to future problems like health concerns and damage to the integrity of the building’s structure.
Hire the Pro’s
In a situation like this, improper clean up can lead to even more damage down the road. It is highly recommended that you hire a professional restoration company to ensure that the building structure does not become compromised. Hiring a team with experience dealing with water losses will ensure that all your bases are covered.
24 Restore is the preferred restoration services partner of commercial & residential property owners across New England. Whether you’re dealing with an emergency situation, or just simply need help implementing a sound Disaster Response Plan, we’re available to help. Contact 24 anytime, day or night for assistance.
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