subject: The Morning After: Tips to Handling Flood Aftermath [print this page] The Morning After: Tips to Handling Flood Aftermath
Regardless whether your house has sustained water damage through floods, storm, or simply a loosely fitting water pipe, cleaning up can be quite a daunting task. Fortunately, there are a number of ways by which you can ease the load and hasten the amount of time needed to have your house safe and sound again.
If you are dealing with water damage brought about by storm, the most important thing that you have to keep in mind is to exercise caution when you enter your home after the storm has stopped. Make sure that your area has already been cleared and is already safe to return to. Shut off your main power supply so that there is no risk of anyone being electrocuted. Check if your house has sustained any internal and external structural damage.
As soon as you are sure that it is safe to do so, pull out your furniture pieces and have them air-dried. If you have items that are already beyond any salvaging efforts, throw them out. By keeping them with you, you only increase the chance of having mold and mildew within your home. This can be particularly dangerous especially if you have children inside your home.
For your books, pictures, and other documents, you might want to subscribe to the system of restoration Indianapolis residents usually follow air drying, thermal drying, and freeze drying. Each of these restoration processes is suited for a specific material; however, of the three, air drying is the most convenient and is considered to be the cheapest.
Make sure that you wash and wipe clean everything. Most Indianapolis water damage professionals would even go as far as cleaning your floor, your walls, and even your furniture pieces with bleach in order to keep mold, mildew, and any bacteria from growing. You can have your heat sensitive clothing pieces dry cleaned. Your dishes, on the other hand, should run through a hot water cycle on your dish washer to ensure that they are free from any bacteria.
Of course, it would also pay to have your drinking water boiled. If this is not possible, most Indianapolis water damage professionals suggest the use of bottled water. This alternative also works in cases wherein water supply has been cut off by the storm.
