The short answer
Initial Safety Steps
Turn off the electricity at the main breaker if you can reach it without standing in water. If not, wait for the power company to shut it off. Avoid touching anything electrical while the area is wet. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company from outside.
Wear rubber boots and gloves if you must enter the flooded area. Floodwater can carry sewage, chemicals, and sharp debris. Open windows to let fresh air in, and keep children and pets away from the flooded zone until you know it's safe.
Removing Water and Drying
Use a pump or a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water, but only if it's safe to use electricity. Once the bulk of the water is gone, set up fans and a dehumidifier to start drying. Move air across all wet surfaces, including behind walls if you can access them.
Drying takes time. Floodwater soaks into drywall, wood, and insulation, so you may need to remove baseboards and cut holes in walls to let air circulate. The pros have industrial drying equipment that speeds this up, but you can start the process on your own if you're careful.
- Remove wet carpets and rugs right away
- Take out soaked furniture and cushions
- Use a pump for deep water
- Run dehumidifiers continuously
- Check for hidden moisture in wall cavities
Sorting Damaged Belongings
Decide what's worth saving. Porous items like mattresses, pillows, and upholstered furniture usually can't be cleaned well enough after a flood. If they were in contaminated water, they're a health risk. Paper documents and cardboard boxes may be ruined, but you can sometimes dry photos and books.
Hard surfaces like glass, metal, and plastic can often be cleaned and disinfected. Set aside items you want to keep and wash them with soap and water, then a disinfectant. For anything you throw out, check with your local waste service about how to dispose of it properly.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
After the water is gone, scrub all hard surfaces with a detergent solution, then apply a disinfectant. Pay attention to floors, walls, countertops, and any surface that came in contact with floodwater. Let everything dry completely before you consider the space clean.
Mold can start growing within a day or two, so drying and disinfecting go hand in hand. If you see mold, don't scrub it dry, that releases spores. Use a damp cloth and a mold-killing product, and consider calling a mold professional if the growth covers a large area.
When to Call the Pros
Some flood cleanup is too risky or too big for a homeowner. If the water was deep, if sewage is involved, or if the building structure is damaged, you need professional help. Local water damage pros have the equipment and training to handle contaminated water and prevent long-term issues.
If you live in a flood-prone area, keep your insurance policy handy and take photos of the damage before you start cleaning. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. Document everything. For serious floods, you might also need a plumber or an electrician to check the systems before you use them again.
- Deep water or sewage contamination
- Structural damage to walls or floors
- Electrical systems that got wet
- Large areas of mold growth
- Heating and cooling ducts flooded
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Call (817) 799-6732 any time, day or night, and describe what happened.
Call Now (817) 799-6732Frequently asked questions
How long does flood cleanup take?
It depends on the water level, the size of the area, and how fast you dry things. Minor floods might take a few days. Major floods can take weeks, especially if walls and floors need to be opened up. The pros can give you a realistic timeline based on your situation.
Can I clean floodwater myself?
You can handle small, clean water spills if you have the right gear and time. But floodwater is often contaminated, and drying a house properly is hard without industrial equipment. If you're unsure about safety or the job seems too big, call the pros.
What should I do with wet drywall?
Wet drywall usually has to be removed, especially if it was soaked with floodwater. It can grow mold and lose its strength. Cut it out at least a foot above the water line, remove the insulation, and let the framing dry. Then you can replace the drywall.