Disaster Relief: Priorities for Cleanup and Repair
Priorities for cleanup and repair vary according to the kind and seriousness of damage. Buildings may not be habitable during repair.
- Examine building structure.
- Check foundations for settling, cracking, or undermining.
- Examine walls, floors, doors, and windows for what repairs are necessary.
- You may want to repair only temporarily until extensive work can be done.
- If basement is flooded, start pumping the water in stages. Pump about a third of the water each day.
- Get the electrical system working.
- If the switchbox is in a flooded basement, do not turn electricity back on until you have pumped out the water.
- Take electrical appliances to a qualified service repair center as soon as possible.
- Get the water system working. Disinfect wells and water system.
- Shovel out mud and silt before it dries.
- Before they dry, wash down flooded walls and floors with hose. Start at upper limit of flooding and work downward.
- Scrub and disinfect walls and floors.
- Start heating system, if possible, to speed up drying.
- Before operating the heating system, you may need to clean, dry, and recondition it.
- Make sure chimneys are clean before starting the system.
- Dry out walls and floors.
- If required for proper drying, strip drywall up to water level.
- Drill holes in exterior siding.
- Complete drying may take months.
- Repair buckled walls and floors.
- Clean and dry household items, furniture, carpets, clothing, dishes, and bedding. Disinfect when necessary.
- Treat items for mildew as needed.
- Care for damaged trees, shrubs, and lawn.
- Repaint, repair, and refinish as necessary.
Supplies and Equipment for Home Cleanup
Cleaning Supplies
__ Non-phosphate detergents1
__ Bleaches2
__ Disinfectants
__ Ammonia
__ Scouring powder
__ Rubber gloves
__ Strong boots or heavy-soled shoes
Equipment for Small Jobs
__ Buckets
__ Tools (crowbar, hammer, screwdriver)
__ Sponges and cloths
__ Scrub brushes
__ Scoops
__ Throw-away containers for garbage, and a container to carry from house to street
__ Water hose
Equipment for Large Jobs
__ Buckets
__ Tools
__ Brooms
__ Shovels
__ Hoes
__ Sponge mop or a mop that is easily squeezed out
__ Water hose
__ Wheelbarrow
__ Dolly
__ Bushel baskets
__ Wash tubs (for soaking objects)
1U.S. manufacturers have removed phosphate from laundry detergents.
2Use bleach sparingly, if at all. New EPA recommendations caution against its use.
For More Information
Booklets with more detailed information and illustrations about flood and mold clean-up may be downloaded from the Internet. Use the links listed here, or search by title and sponsoring organization.
Creating a Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Clean-up of Flooded Homes
An illustrated 18-page booklet created through a cooperative effort of the National Center for Healthy Housing, NeighborWorks America, and Enterprise Community Partners.
http://www.nchh.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ANhnOoaHSfY%3d&tabid=311
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
Photos and instructions may be viewed online, or a booklet may be downloaded, with EPA recommendations.
http://www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.html
Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home
Basic safety and cleanup information in an easy-to-read booklet with color illustrations. Also available in Spanish.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/flood/index.html
Recover after a Disaster
Red Cross online guides
http://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery
Recover and Rebuild
FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/index.shtm
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