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 necessary repairs.
  • You may want to repair only temporarily until extensive work can be done.
• If basement is flooded, start pumping the water in stages. Pump out 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

¹United States manufacturers have removed phosphate from laundry detergents.

²Use bleach sparingly, if at all. New EPA recommendations caution against its use.

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

__ Hoe

__ Sponge mop or a mop that is easily squeezed out

__ Water hose

__ Wheelbarrow

__ Dolly

__ Bushel baskets

__ Wash tubs (for soaking objects)

For More Information

Booklets with more detailed information and illustrations about flood and mold clean-up can be downloaded online. Use the links listed here, or search by title and sponsoring organization.

• Creating a Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Cleanup 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://nchh.org/resource/creating-a-healthy-home-a-field-guide-for-clean-up-of-flooded-homes/
• 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. https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home
• 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. https://www.epa.gov/mold/flood-cleanup-and-air-your-home-booklet
• Recover after a Disaster: Red Cross online guides. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services.html
• Recover and Rebuild: FEMA resources. https://www.fema.gov/blog/get-free-fema-publications-help-you-prepare-recover-and-rebuild

Publication 3676 (POD-07-21)

Reviewed by Rubin Shmulsky, PhD, Professor and Head, Sustainable Bioproducts.