Even a Little Bit of Flood Water Is Cause for Concern
Posted on: 15 August 2017
When a big storm hits your area and local homes and businesses are flooded, you may be grateful to find only a small amount of flood water in your home. But while a small amount water is certainly better than several feet of water, it's important that you realize that this flooding still presents hazards and needs to be addressed carefully. Here's a closer look.
What hazards does flood water present?
When an area floods due to heavy rainfall or an overflowing body of water, some water can enter the sewer system and then rinse out again. The water also comes into contact with animal feces, garbage, and other potentially contaminated substances as it rushes along. So, that flood water that entered your home, even if it was only an inch or two deep, introduced some nasty bacteria to your home. It is important, therefore, that you are careful to avoid contamination when removing the water and that you clean the surfaces that water may have touched very carefully.
The other major hazard presented by small amounts of flood water is mold growth. Mold can start growing within hours of a space becoming moist, and the longer that moisture lingers, the more likely mold growth becomes. So, even if there was only a little trickle of water running down your drywall, you need to be on the lookout for mold as that drywall dries.
What should you do about flood water?
Hiring someone to pump out your home is not really necessary when there's such a small amount of water. Protect yourself with wading boots, gloves, and long sleeves, and orchestrate the project yourself with a mop and bucket. If only a few surfaces came into contact with the flood water, clean them carefully with a mixture of bleach and water. Then, set up box fans and a dehumidifier to encourage the area to dry out quickly. This will help prevent mold growth.
If your homeowners' insurance covers flood damage, you may just want to hire a flood restoration company to clean up the mess, even though it's not a big mess. The costs will be covered by your insurance company anyway, and you don't have to worry so much about contamination. In either case, be sure not to bring any new furniture or decor in to replace the old items until the space is completely dry. Otherwise, your items are likely to just grow mold.
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