Basic Disaster Clean-Up Preps
Posted on May 26, 2020 by Jim Cobb
Disaster Clean-Up
Nobody has ever walked into a house after a flood and said, “Wow, I can’t believe how clean everything is!” Disasters are much like small children. They are dirty, smelly, and rarely ever do they clean up after themselves.
While we cannot possibly know the exact nature of the disasters that might befall us at some point down the road, the preparations for the eventual clean-up are fairly universal.
The Clean-up Basics
Most homes are already equipped with basic cleaning supplies, such as mops, buckets, brooms, and such. There are, however, a few additional items you may consider purchasing to keep on hand, just in case.
Plastic sheeting, sometimes called Visqueen, is useful for expedient window repairs. It will keep out most of the rain and such while still allowing at least some light to come through. Use duct tape to affix the sheeting to the window frame inside the home. Be very careful when picking up the broken glass. Because glass will easily puncture a plastic garbage bag, what works well is to put the shards into a paper grocery bag first.
Mold
If the home has become considerably water damaged, such as from flooding or sewage overflow, there are many special precautions that must be considered. Mildew and mold can develop in as little as 24 hours. There are many health risks associated with mold, including respiratory problems and skin irritation. Be sure to wear latex or nitrile gloves as well as a good face mask or respirator when inside the home.
If mold is visible, avoid turning on fans as they will just spread the spores and increase the problem. Open windows for mild air circulation. Remove wet bedding, furniture, carpeting, and anything else that has had a soaking. The idea is to get rid of the stuff that might be contributing to the overall level of moisture in the home so you can get the house itself dried out. If ceiling tiles or drywall have been soaked, out it goes.
Hard surfaces, such as kitchen counters, solid wood, plastic, and the like can be cleaned with hot water and your choice of a non-ammonia based cleanser. Once cleaned, disinfect the surfaces with a 10% bleach solution. This is why the cleanser needs to be non-ammonia based. Mixing ammonia and bleach leads to dangerous fumes. Leave the solution sit on the surface for several minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Porous materials are a bit more problematic. The rule of thumb is that if you aren’t sure whether the item is contaminated by mold, assume it is and get rid of it. This includes rugs, books, clothing, and curtains.
In many cases, you are far better served having the home professionally cleaned by a service experienced in dealing with water and mold issues. Check with your insurance agent to see if such services would be covered by your policy.
Tearing Out Walls
Removing damaged walls and ceiling as well as performing basic or expedient repairs are all tasks made much easier with some tools. Get the highest quality tools you can afford as you want to be able to rely on them to stand up to real use. Rummage sales are great places to pick up good quality tools somewhat inexpensively.
At a minimum, you’ll want:
Hammer
Screwdrivers (slotted and Phillips) in various sizes
Pliers in a few sizes
Wrenches (standard and metric)
Pry bars in various sizes
A cordless drill would be wonderful but obviously would be dependent upon power being available for charging. Tarps are great to have on hand if something manages to put a hole in the roof but you need to be extremely careful in using them in that fashion. They can also be used for hauling piles of storm debris. Just toss the branches and such on the tarp and drag it to where the pile needs to go.
Other Clean-Up Items
Other “nice to haves” include a wet/dry vacuum, extension cords, and portable lighting.
It isn’t until the wind and rain subside that the real work of recovery begins. Plan ahead to have what you’ll need on hand so you don’t have to fight the crowds at the store for the last mop and bucket.
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