Priorities for Clean-up and Repair

Cleaning up after a disaster can be overwhelming. Here’s a list of steps that can help you get back into your home.

1. Examine the building structure. ­Check foundations for settling, cracking or undermining. See what repairs need to be made to walls, floors, doors, and windows. ­You may want to make temporary repairs now. Extensive work can be done later.

2. If your basement is flooded, start pumping the water in stages. Pump about a third of the water each day.

3. If the electrical system has been flooded, have it checked out by an electrician. ­If fuse box is in a flooded basement, do not turn electricity back on until water has been pumped out! ­Take flooded electrical appliances to a qualified service repair center as soon as possible.

4. Get your water system working. Disinfect your wells. Do not use water from a municipal or private supply until health authorities have tested it.

5. Shovel out mud and silt before it dries.

6. Before they dry, wash down flooded walls and floors with hose. Start at upper limit of flooding and work downward.

7. Scrub and disinfect walls and floors.

8. If you have power, turn on the furnace, if possible, to speed up drying. ­Before operating it, your heating system may need to be cleaned, dried, and reconditioned. ­Make sure chimneys are clean before starting the furnace. ­Ductwork that has been flooded must be thoroughly cleaned or replaced before starting the furnace.

9. Dry out walls and floors. Drywall acts like a sponge, drawing water above the flood level, so it may be necessary to remove wall board above the flood line. ­For proper drying, strip drywall up to water level. ­Drill holes in exterior siding. ­Complete drying may take months.

10. Repair buckled walls and floors.

11. Clean, disinfect, and dry household items, furniture, carpets, clothing, and dishes.

12. Treat items for mildew as needed.

13. Care for damaged trees, shrubs, and lawn.

14. Repaint, repair, and refinish as necessary.

Supplies and Equipment for Home Clean-Up

Cleaning Supplies

• Low-sudsing detergent

• Bleach

• Disinfectant

• Ammonia

• Scouring powder

• Rubber gloves

• 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 container to carry waste from house to street

•Water hose

Equipment for Large Jobs

• Buckets

• Tools (crowbar, hammer, screwdriver)

• Brooms

• Shovels

• Hoes

• Sponge mop or mop that is easily squeezed out

•Water hose

• Wheelbarrow

• Dolly

• Bushel baskets

•Washtubs (for soaking objects) Safety Equipment

• N-95 disposable filtering facepiece

• Rubber gloves

• Eye protection

• Heavy boots

• Protective clothing on legs and arms

Adapted by Dr. Sarah Kirby, Extension Housing Specialist, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, NC State University, from University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Disaster Handbook
6/00—JMG