How to Clean Up After a Flood

Rain storms can pop up at any minute and cause serious damage to your belongings, but follow these tips for cleaning up after a flood and you'll save yourself some valuable time and money!

1.) Scrape away any mud on your floors, walls and furniture before it dries. Once most of the mud is gone, you should rinse down the area from top to bottom to get rid of the remainder.

2.) More often than not, large appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, freezers etc. will be unharmed unless they were operating while covered in water. However, these appliances can be washed and dried as normal with no extra damage.

3.) Using a solution such as chlorine bleach, that has been diluted, is a great way to clean items and surfaces in your home. Plus, it works to control odors!

4.) Wood furniture can be saved by allowing it to dry outside, out of direct sunlight. Be sure to remove any drawers or shelves while letting it dry to prevent warping that may permanently damage the object.

5.) Flooded basements can be a pain, but be sure to take the process slowly when pumping out any standing water. Start getting the water out immediately, but do it gradually to avoid damage to the structure and foundation of your home. Aim to pump out around a third of the water each day.

6.) Use extreme caution when checking your home for damage after a flood. Be on the lookout for electrical wires and outlets that may have come into contact with water.

7.) Any pots, pans, utensils, plates etc. should be thoroughly disinfected before you use them again. Flood water is not clean and could be carrying harmful bacteria from where the water has traveled from. Exposed food that has come into contact with flood water should be discarded immediately.

8.) If you have damage, contact your insurance agency immediately to make a claim.

• Inspect all property, including cars, for damage. 
• Record losses to personal inventory, such as photographs, and make sure you keep any related receipts to help support your claim. 
• Secure your property to prevent any further damage or theft. 
• Make sure you have knowledge on the background of the repair contractors that you hire. It is a good idea to request the help of your insurance agency to find a reputable contractor. 
• Throughout the recovery process, keep specific records to activity and expenses associated with the flood. Prepare records that describe and show the change in income from before and after the flood damage.