| In the aftermath of a flood, residents whose homes | | | | with bleach. Sewage contamination of the home may |
| have suffered damage are left with the task of flood | | | | require special disinfection and cleaning procedures. |
| cleanup, water damage restoration and repair. Flood | | | | The ceiling, wallboard, plaster, paneling and flooring can |
| waters break down the barriers that humans have put | | | | become a permanent health hazard after being |
| in place to prevent contaminants, mud and germs from | | | | flooded and may have to be replaced. Wooden floors |
| entering the home. | | | | have to be dried out gradually to prevent further |
| According to Environmental Protection Secretary, | | | | damage. Furniture may have to be discarded or |
| James M. Seif, the aftermath of a flood brings with it | | | | repaired, depending on what it's made of. |
| the danger of injury and disease. The process of flood | | | | Appliances such as washing machines, dryers and |
| cleanup is a long and arduous one and there are a | | | | other heavy equipment that was damaged by water |
| number of precautions you have to take to assure a | | | | will have to be serviced and repaired to prevent |
| safe cleanup. Most people have no clue how to do this | | | | shocks. Choked plumbing may have to be repaired or |
| in a way that prevents injury, disease and further | | | | replaced completely. Insulation will have to be replaced |
| property damage. | | | | and the electrical, heating or cooling system dried out |
| It's not a good idea to attempt to flood cleanup this | | | | and replaced where damaged has occurred. |
| yourself because only an will expert understand how it | | | | Advanced drying and dehumidification techniques need |
| should be done and what safety precautions need to | | | | to be followed including circulation of air to rapidly |
| be followed to restore your home to its former | | | | remove water and moisture from carpets, floors, and |
| function and appearance. Hidden water damage can | | | | walls. It is not possible for a homeowner to do all this |
| cause major damage to the foundation, walls and | | | | themselves, no matter how much of a DIY-fanatic |
| floors that only a flood cleanup expert will have the | | | | they are. |
| requisite experience to fix. | | | | Years of experience are required when it comes to |
| After the waters recede, you'll need to survey the | | | | assessing and fixing damaged homes. The best way |
| home and see how much damage has been done. Do | | | | to go about it is to find a reputable flood cleanup |
| not move back into the home until it is restored or you | | | | contractor, either through a recommendation or an |
| could face health hazards from disease and injury. If | | | | online search. This will help ensure that your contractor |
| you take the right action at the right time, you can | | | | is reliable, experienced and has a good record. |
| contain the damage and even restore many of your | | | | You may also have to get the approval of your |
| belongings to their original status, or something close to | | | | electric company as well as the fire department |
| it. | | | | before your home is safe for habitation again. A |
| After the floods, mud will have to be shoveled out and | | | | professional flood cleanup contractor can do all this for |
| washed away from surfaces with a hose. Everything | | | | you. |
| that the flood waters touch will have to be disinfected | | | | |