If your home or business is affected by floods, acting quickly can help to minimise the damage to your property - and improve your prospects for restoring it. From extracting the water to deep cleaning your carpets, this guide outlines some important first steps.
Floodwaters can quickly undermine a property's safety and stability. Here are some important questions to ask before you occupy the property or restoration work begins.
Times will vary. Drying out could take as little as 12 hours, or as long as a month, depending on the climate and the extent of the flooding.
Mould grows in as little as 24 to 48 hours in damp environments, which can be hazardous to our health. Once property is safe to restore, thorough drying out must commence as quickly as possible.
Before drying can begin, all excess water must be removed. If considerable water needs extracting a specialist pump may be required. Smaller amounts of water can be removed using mops, sponges and other absorbent materials.
Yes. Here are some ideas on how you can speed up the drying process:
Properties are full of places where moisture can hide, long after floodwaters recede. To minimise mould after a flood:
Cleaning up after a flood can seem like an arduous task - here are some priority areas:
General cleaning
Once all water, dirt and debris has been removed and drying out is complete, general cleaning can begin.
Carpets
The extent and source of floodwater will determine whether carpets can be cleaned, or if they should be replaced. Your prospects for saving carpet improve considerably if it has been wet for less than 24-48 hours. To effectively clean carpets in place:
Timber floors
Although timber floors may be salvageable, often they won't dry out properly when left in place. Once timber floors have been removed, dried and relayed they can be restored to their former glory with a floor sander. Check out these tips on bringing hardwood floors back to life.
Explore our equipment hire range, or contact your local branch for equipment or advice on restoring your property after a flood