We’ve seen so many people in the last 3 weeks affected with flooding in the wake of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee with 26 inches of rain fall in less than a month. Over and over we’ve heard the words “this has never happened before.”  And folks are left with a lot of worry along with the water that flooded their homes and businesses.

And they should be. 

Although it’s not sewage, over the ground flood water is considered “Category 3” water – the nastiest kind. Why? Because your neighbor’s fertilizer, bug killer, and dog poop just came into your home or business along with the water. All these contribute to a highly toxic environment in an enclosed, dark space like a basement or crawlspace. And that’s the perfect breeding ground for viruses, bacteria, and mold.

How do you know if these buggies are present? Your nose knows! If you find yourself asking “what’s that smell?” then you know something’s growing. If it smells like a locker room, most likely it’s bacteria; if it smells musty or cheesy, it’s most likely mold.

So what can people do to help themselves – before the whole building becomes contaminated?

1. First, get the water out. Don’t wait! Use a sump pump or trash pump to remove the standing water.

2. Second, use a wet/dry or shop vac to extract as much of the remaining water as possible.

3. Next, remove everything that is wet, including furniture, carpet, pad and drywall – up to 4 feet if necessary. If there is insulation, throw that out too. Insulation acts like a sponge and holds water for a very long time.

4. Then, spray everything with an anti-microbial solution. DO NOT USE BLEACH!  Bleach is mostly water and will feed mold on non-porous surfaces. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and purchase a disinfecting solution that states clearly on the label that it does not contain bleach or ammonia. And there are many plant based anti-microbial solutions in the marketplace now that are non-toxic to humans and animals.

5. After you’ve extracted and sprayed antimicrobial, get a dehumidifier and as many fans as you can to circulate the air. A dehumidifier by itself will only do part of the job. Without air flow, sections of the damaged area will remain wet.

Remember, professional remediation for flood water damage is always recommended because moisture mapping and monitoring are part of the service. A professional water damage restorer will have the equipment, technology and the knowledge to dry the basement and crawlspace efficiently before mold and bacteria start to grow.