Why flood cleanup is different from a pipe leak
Water from a broken supply line starts out clean. Floodwater does not. Once rain runoff, overflowing waterways or storm drains enter a home, the water has picked up soil, bacteria, fuel, fertilizers and sometimes sewage along the way. Restoration professionals treat it as contaminated, and that changes how every material in the home must be handled.
Carpet and pad that absorbed floodwater usually cannot be sanitized reliably and are removed. Drywall and insulation below the water line are cut out, typically with a margin above the visible line because water wicks upward. Hard surfaces such as tile, concrete and sealed wood are cleaned and disinfected. Our flood cleanup crews in Windham, OH follow this approach so that nothing contaminated is left hidden behind new finishes.
Flood cleanup is needed when
- Outside water has entered living areas or basements
- A layer of mud or silt remains after water recedes
- Drywall shows a clear water line
- Floodwater touched carpet, furniture or insulation
- There is an odor of sewage or fuel
Mud, silt and debris come first
After floodwater recedes, it leaves a layer of silt and mud on floors, inside cabinets and at the base of walls. That residue holds moisture and contaminants, and it must be removed before drying equipment can do its job. We shovel and squeegee out heavy deposits, then pressure wash or scrub hard surfaces where appropriate.
Debris is sorted as we work. Items that are clearly ruined are bagged and removed, while belongings that may be salvageable are set aside for cleaning or discussion with you. We photograph everything before disposal so your insurance claim includes a record of what was lost. Our crews wear boots, gloves, eye protection and respirators throughout, and we recommend that family members stay out of affected areas until cleanup is finished.
Drying and disinfection that close out the job
With water, silt and unsalvageable materials removed, we clean remaining surfaces and apply an antimicrobial product designed for flood-affected structures. Then we set up air movers and dehumidifiers to dry framing, subfloors and concrete. Concrete slabs and block walls hold water for a long time, so we monitor readings until they reach normal levels.
Once the structure is clean and dry, the property is ready for rebuilding. Our repair crews can install new insulation, drywall, flooring and cabinets. If you prefer to use a different contractor for the rebuild, we provide documentation showing what was removed and the readings that confirm the structure was dry.
Our flood cleanup process
Safety and water removal
We check for hazards, pump remaining water and document conditions before work begins.
Silt and debris removal
Mud, debris and contaminated materials are removed and photographed for your records.
Cleaning and disinfection
Remaining surfaces are washed and treated with an antimicrobial product.
Structural drying
Equipment dries framing, subfloors and concrete until readings reach normal levels.
Heard after the work was done
Heavy rain pushed water and mud into our lower level. They cleared out the silt, removed the ruined carpet and drywall and disinfected everything before drying. The crew was respectful of our belongings.
They photographed every item before disposing of it, which made the flood claim much easier.
Questions we hear often
Small amounts of clean water can often be handled by homeowners. Floodwater from outside carries contaminants, so protective equipment, proper disposal and disinfection are important. Professional cleanup also provides documentation for insurance.
Standard homeowners policies often exclude flooding from outside sources, which is usually covered under separate flood insurance. Check your policy and contact your insurer promptly.
It depends on how long water was present and how far moisture has wicked. We use moisture readings to decide, and the cut is commonly made at least a foot or more above the visible line.