Hyderabadghar/Home Maintenance/After the Storm

Safety percautions should always be taken when returning home after a disaster.

The only thing worse than seeing your home after a disaster may be the prospect of cleaning it up and starting over. If faced with water damage from a fire or flood, you won't have much time to ponder the situation because you'll need to begin cleaning and drying out the house as soon as it is safe. Since the job will likely seem overwhelming, begin by making a plan and breaking it into manageable pieces. As you progress, document the damage (list, photograph or videotape) for insurance claims and tax returns.

Safety first
Before entering the house, be sure all electricity is disconnected from the property, check for gas leaks, and look for structural damage. If you have any doubts, consult a professional.

Floors and walls

Remove all standing water from the house. Pump water out of basements slowly because the water pressure inside may be balancing that of waterlogged earth pressing on basement walls. Wet wallboard and loose insulation will need to be removed and discarded.
The mud left by floodwaters may be contaminated with sewage and harmful bacteria. Wear gloves and boots, and wash frequently when clearing it away. Remove as much mud as possible with a shovel. Then use a garden hose to wash more away, starting at the bottom of the walls. Mop up or squeegee away water as soon as possible. Remove air conditioning ducts from the unit and wash them out.
Clean floors, walls, and cabinetry with warm water and cleanser. Once surfaces are cleaned, use a household bleach solution or disinfectant cleanser. This will kill germs and help prevent molds and mildew.
Use a dehumidifier or open windows and circulate air with fans to thoroughly dry out the house. Do not bring furnishings and rugs back inside until walls, floors and framing are completely dry.
Wood flooring may swell when it gets wet. To help prevent buckling, remove a board every few feet. Be sure floors are dry and clean before repairing.

Carpets

Take all rugs and carpets outside and rinse with a garden hose. If soiled, scrub with a disinfectant carpet-cleaning product. Unless the rugs are wool, rinse with a mixture of two tablespoons household bleach to one gallon of water to prevent mildew and kill odors.
Many carpet pads can be rinsed with a solution of bleach and water, air-dried and reused.
Never replace carpets until they—and the floor—are thoroughly dry.

Household items

Try to wash away mud before it dries. This reduces the chance of permanent stains.
Before using dishes, cookware, and utensils, wash and rinse them in a solution of household bleach and water.
To prevent colorfast bedding, linens and clothing from mildewing, add chlorine bleach to wash water.
Freezing will protect some papers from mildew and added deterioration until you can thaw and thoroughly clean them. If you don't have time to individually clean valuable books and photographs, wash as much mud as possible off, enclose individual items in plastic bags, and freeze them.

Sources: U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and the North Dakota State University.