What to do after a Flood

Cleaning up the house after a flood

• Cover open cuts and wounds on exposed skin with a waterproof plaster.
• Remove all soft furnishings and fittings that are damaged beyond repair.
• Remove all dirty water and silt from the property as much as possible, including the space under downstairs floorboards if you have these. This may require pumping out.
• Wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water several times until visually clean.
• Use a domestic disinfectant, following manufacturers directions as to concentrations, to wash over all hard surfaces after cleaning.
• Food preparation surfaces and storage cupboards, refrigerators etc should be washed down with food safe disinfectants such as Milton, Dettox or similar.
• Allow to dry thoroughly. This will also help to destroy any germs left behind.
• Heating and good ventilation will assist the drying process.
• Clothing, bedding and other soft/fabric articles including children's toys etc should be laundered on a hot wash (60°C and above) which will destroy any germs that may be present. Other soft furnishings that have been contaminated and cannot be put in a washing machine will have to be professionally cleaned or if this is not possible may have to be disposed of.

• Try to have some heating on at all times; consider the use of a dehumidifier.
• Ensure the property is well ventilated. Leave windows open as much as possible. Remember security though!
• Ensure that if you have air bricks to any underfloor spaces these are unblocked to give cross ventilation to these areas.

Food preparation and storage

• Ensure all surfaces that food will come into contact with are sound and disinfected as above. If work tops and other areas show signs of damage, avoid food contact with these areas. Particularly make sure that shelves, including those in your refrigerator, where food is stored are cleaned and disinfected.
• Try to keep any opened food in an enclosed box or tin.
• All crockery, pots and pans should be thoroughly washed with very hot soapy water before using. If any of these are badly chipped or damaged do not use. You could also use a food safe disinfectant e.g. Milton to sanitise them after cleaning.
• Ensure the water taps are cleaned and disinfected before using them for the first time.
• Take particular care in preparing food; always wash your hands before starting.

Other health issues

• If you follow the basic advice above you should not experience any additional health problems. It is possible that the 'stress' caused by the incident may well make you feel unwell in some way. This does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from any infection or disease. However, if you are concerned, visit your own Doctor, who can also arrange counselling for you. 
• While in the property floorboards, walls etc. will continue to dry out. Any loose material and dust resulting from this should be vacuumed up on a regular basis.
• Very young children should avoid playing directly on timber floorboards or any damaged tiled floors if possible. Be aware of the risk of injury from sharp edges on tiles, or raised nails in the floorboards, until these have been repaired.

Remember!

• Wash your hands properly if you have been in contact with floodwater or silt. Take particular care when preparing or eating food.
• Contact your insurance company (if relevant) and make an inventory list of all damaged goods, including food. If you can, take photographic or video pictures.
• Put contaminated flood-damaged food in black plastic refuse sacks, seal and put out when your next refuse collection is due. Check with insurers before disposal.
• If you accidentally ingest (swallow) mud or contaminated water and you become ill contact your doctor and tell him your house was flooded.
• Replace manhole covers dislodged by the flood.

• Don't be tempted to try and salvage damaged food, including tins, as they may be contaminated with sewage or chemicals left from the flood water.
• Don't switch on electrical appliances, which have been in contact with the flood water, unless a competent electrician has checked them.
• Don't eat garden or allotment vegetables that have been covered by floodwater. Leave undamaged vegetables in the ground for at least another two weeks and then only use them after thorough washing and cooking.

Additional repair works

• Eventually other necessary works may have been identified by your insurers, builders etc. These will possibly be carried out after the property has substantially dried out. However if plaster walls and partitions have been affected badly and do not dry out in a sound condition the plaster and boards affected will have to be removed, walls dried out and re-plastered. Otherwise redecoration of sound walls is all that will be necessary.
• Any areas showing signs of mould should be treated. Fungicidal products are available from DIY stores.
• After about six months it would be advisable to check timber floors for any evidence of rot or shrinkage. Any necessary repair work can then be carried out.
• Fitted units, particularly in the kitchen, made of chipboard may not dry out well and will become damaged by absorbed water. Sanitisation of these is difficult and therefore they may have to be eventually replaced.
• Check for structural damage to your property and if you think there is damage or danger seek advice from your insurers, builder or Building Control Officer.
• Some repair work may be eligible for financial assistance. Contact Havant Environmental Health on (023) 9244 6670