Maximize airflow. After you have inspected the home and contents, do your best to keep the windows open as long as the weather is dry and additional rain or precipitation will not add to the water damage coming in through windows.
Some homeowners opt to put a screw into a window frame to keep the open window from being pushed open far enough to allow in unwanted Intruders.
Fans vs HVAC
Until your heating and air conditioning unit has been inspected, do not assume it is safe to operate it if it has been submerged underwater. It has the potential to spread dangerous and toxic mold spores throughout your home and increase the level of risk and damage to your building and its contents.
As long as your electrical system is safe to operate, running fans can help circulate air as long as beats erection of the airflow will blow it out of the open windows and not into other parts of the home. Take a moment to consider the direction of the wind naturally blowing into your windows and use your fans to work with that airflow and not against it to avoid swirling around contaminants in the air.
A Word of Caution
A fan is not advisable in a home where raw sewage contamination is present. Spreading airborne germs from sewage poses a health risk. Get a professional's help… fast.
Prep Work
Before you begin the cleanup work oh, it's time to prepare. Think through the steps you will have to take before you jump into the project so you are prepared and efficient. Think about what tools you will need for the repairs. If you need to rent or borrow something, speak up quickly before supplies run out.
Plan For Trash Removal And Job Site Toilet Rentals
Great companies like Advantage waste disposal are here to help you with prompt job site dumpster and portable toilet rental on-demand. But don't wait until the last minute, because widespread water damage and flood damage mean dumpsters can be reserved quite quickly and a waiting list could form.
Plan Ahead For Salvaged Items Storage
What will you do with the items that you want to keep but are waiting to be cleaned? You may need to call a storage unit provider or another facility to find a safe place to store your items while you are working through this process.
Plan Ahead For Power
If storms are still posing a threat to electricity utilities, consider renting or obtaining a gas-powered generator that you can operate outside and run in a power cord according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Speaking of utilities, and sure your natural gas stays disconnected if you have that utility at your home.
Next, Think About Security
Unfortunately, the aftermath of disasters and devastation can open up the door to criminal activity. All of the sudden, homeowners are forced to bring precious belongings outside, open up Windows they would normally not leave on locks, and operate with valuable tools and equipment in settings outside of a locked garage.
Think about how you will secure your valuable items and ensure the safety and security of your family pets and property during this time of upheaval.
Everything from securing your outdoor power generator to fastening your toolbox with bolts can make the difference between experiencing one water-related loss or having a second loss due to theft during an already stressful period.
Equip Yourself With A Safe And Functional Work Area
During times of great stress and loss, it's easy to make simple mistakes and errors of judgment when you are under so much stress. So take a moment to think about and anticipate the risks that you are facing and what simple supplies and precautions you should have on hand to help you stay safer and respond effectively to accidents and emergencies on the job site.
Safe drinking water and disposable cups to avoid contamination
Hand-washing station clean up buckets
Eyewash station
First aid kit and supplies
Fire extinguisher
A working phone that is fully charged with emergency contact and Department phone numbers readily available
Plan Out Your Workspace And Workflow
Do you have a system in place for what to do with items you bring out of the home? You will probably need a table that is set up to store and hold things that are meant to be saved. Likewise, you will need an area that is meant to stay clean and hold clean items that are never to be contaminated with dirty hands for exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants.
Partitioning
If your work area must be accessed through a clean area in the home, take special care to use plastic to partition off the airflow from contaminated to clean areas. Likewise consider laying plywood half down on the floor to protect it from moisture and contamination. Ask an experienced contractor the best way to block off via contaminated and non-contaminated areas of your workspace
Drying Surface
You may need an area dedicated to airing out items retrieved from the damp space. Taking furniture and appliances and damp items out of the contaminated room and into the sunshine and fresh air can help immensely.
Mold
Mold remediation companies in mold inspections, diagnosing mold problems, repairing mold damage, and eliminating mold growth.
