Floods are serious problems for homeowners. They’re severe enough to cause $40 billion worth of damage worldwide every year. If nothing else, floods can be a health risk for you and your family. That’s why flood clean-up is essential.

Cleaning up flood damage seems difficult, especially if you’re doing flood clean-up DIY. The process can take several months and can cause lots of damage if you’re not prepared. But there are ways to ease the process to stay safe and still do an effective job.

Here are 4 flood clean-up tips that all homeowners should know. When you follow these tips, your home will be clean and back to normal in no time!

1. Examine Your Home

Before flood damage restoration, examine the home to get a better look at the damage. You’ll want to pay special attention to the floor, walls, and windows as well as the floor.

If necessary, hire a professional to look for cracks in the foundation. You’ll also want to find any damage to your electrical panel (though this should also be handled by a professional).

This will give you a better idea of how you should approach your water damage restoration. You’ll be able to properly prepare to pump the water and disinfect the area.

2. Turn Off the Utilities

Always turn off the essential utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water. In severe flooding cases, you increase your risk of electrical shock. If necessary, you may need to call your power supplier to disconnect your home from the electrical supply.

3. Have a First Aid Kit Ready

You may sustain injuries while cleaning your flooded home. Instead of taking time off to treat those injuries, prepare a first aid kit for minor injuries. This includes bandages, over-the-counter painkillers, and wound cleansers.

In addition, always have clean water and soap on-hand. Wash your hands after cleaning, in case the water is contaminated. You’ll also want to wear safety gear, such as rubber gloves and boots. This gear will prevent injuries.

4. Use Effective Cleaning and Disinfecting Products

Using proper products is essential to know how to clean a flooded home.

After you pump the water, you’ll need the best cleaning and disinfecting products. A flood can cause mold build-up and other problems that can affect your home for years. Disinfectants can kill physical mold and its spores, preventing dangerous mold growth.

Floods can also bring in dirt, grass, and other unappealing debris. Normal household cleaners can remove this debris so your home will look as good as new.

Which products should you use? Liquid and powdered cleaners can target the affected areas better than aerosol products. You should also be aware of any allergies; certain cleansers can cause skin rashes and irritate the respiratory tract, making them not suitable for all users.

It’s recommended you purchase the largest size of these products and purchase them in bulk. You may need more than you think. Having these products on hand prevents you from making multiple stops, expediting the cleaning process.

Flood Clean-Up Is Easy With These Tips

A flood can cause devastating damage to your home, making flood clean-up even more necessary. These tips will help ease the cleaning process and will result in a more effective job.

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