IKLAN 1
It is dangerous to go back into your home because the flood may have caused structural, electrical, and other hazards. After you have made things safe, take steps to protect your home and contents from further damage.
Most of the information in this section assumes that the person doing the work has experience in construction and electrical repair. If you do not have experience in construction and electrical repair, do not try to do this work yourself.
Hire a qualified contractor or an electrician. It is still a good idea to read the information in this blog so you will have a better understanding of the jobs ahead, no matter who does them.
Even if you have some experience with construction and electrical work, do not attempt any job if you feel uncertain about the right thing to do or you wonder if the job is beyond your skill or physical strength. Read the instructions in this blog all the way through before you start. Gather your ools and supplies, and make sure you have enough help.
There is plenty of work to go around after a flood. Do only those jobs you can do well and without injuring yourself. If you cannot afford to get professional help, check with your Red Cross hapter, your local emergency management agency, or your building department to see if there are any volunteer programs available to you.
This section is designed for those who have experience in construction and electrical repair. If you are uncertain about these steps, contact a professional such as a licensed home repair contractor or an electrician.
Some floods have more than one crest or peak. Even though the water looks like it’s going down, it may rise again and trap you. Stay tuned to your radio or TV to find out if and when you can go back home. If you are not sure whether you can return, contact your local emergency manager.
Read the safety precautions at the top of this document. Each year about 150 people die because of floods. Many of those fatalities are due to electrocution or other accidents that occur after the floodwaters have gone down. Have someone with you ask you check your home and do repairs. Dress for the task—wear sturdy shoes and gloves.
Things You will Need When It Is Safe to Return Home
Check Your Home Before You Go In
If there is standing water next to the outside walls of your home, don’t go in. You won’t be able to tell if the building is safe or structurally sound. Before you go in, walk carefully around the outside of your home and check for loose power lines and gas leaks. You will know there is leaking gas by the putrid, distinct odor that is added to gas to let people know gas is leaking. If you find downed lines or leaks, call your utility company.
Check the foundation for cracks or other damage. Examine porch roofs and overhangs to be sure they still have all their supports.
Look for gaps between the steps and the home. If you see obvious damage, have a building inspector check the home before you go in. Some communities require official inspections for all buildings after a flood.
If any supports or portions of the foundation wall are missing or the ground has washed away, the floor is not safe. If you have any doubts about safety, contact a contractor before going in. Proceed very carefully.
Electricity and water don’t mix. Turn the power off at your home!
Even if the power company has turned off electricity to the area, you must still make certain your home’s power supply is disconnected. You don’t want the power company to turn it on without warning while you’re working on it.
The electricity must be turned off at the main breaker box or fuse box. Your utility company may have removed your electric meter. This does not always turn off the power.
If you have to step in water to get to your electric box, call an electrician. Simply removing the electric meter does not always turn off the power. If you can get to your electric box without going through or standing in water, you can turn off the power yourself.
(See box).
Remember that if the electrical or gas controls are inside the home, do not turn them off until you can safely enter your home.
Turn off the gas
Gas appliances and pipes may have moved or broken during the flood, creating a gas leak. If you suspect a leak or smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. Leave the door open and, if the gas meter is outside, turn off the gas.
If your have gas appliances that were flooded, you will need to clean the mud out of the pilot and the burners. But first, you must turn off the gas.
There is a valve next to the gas meter. If the valve handle is parallel to the pipe, the gas is on. You may need a pair of pliers or a wrench to turn the valve. Turn it 90 degrees (a quarter turn) so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe to shut the gas off.
Some gas meter valves will have a hole in the handle. this hole lines up with a hole in the valve body when the gas is shut off. (The gas company uses the hole is used by the gas company to lock or seal the valve closed when the building is vacant.) When the holes are lined up, you know that the gas supply has been shut off.
To be sure the gas is off, write down the numbers on all the dials in the meter. Check the dials at least five minutes later. If the numbers have changed, the valve is not closed. Gas is still flowing. Telephone your utility company for help and keep clear of the area until the gas has stopped flowing.
If you have a fuel oil or propane tank, it may have floated and broken the connecting pipes. Even an underground tank can float. Turn off the fuel valve at the tank and follow the instructions in Step 5 : Restore the Utilities before you turn the fuel back on.
If the door sticks and has to be forced open, it is probably swollen. If it only sticks at the bottom, it can be forced open.
If it sticks at the top, your ceiling may be ready to fall. You can force the door open but wait outside the doorway for a minute where you will be protected if something falls.
If the door won’t open easily, it may be easier for you to enter your home through a window. Look carefully at the ceiling before you go in to be sure it is not ready to fall.
Do not smoke or use candles, gas lanterns, or other open flames in your home. Air out your home completely—there may be explosive gas.
Check the ceiling for signs of sagging. If there was a lot of wind and rain or if the flood was very deep, your ceiling may be holding water. Wet plaster or wallboard is very heavy and dangerous if it falls. If the ceiling is sagging, do the following before you go in:
Check for cabinets and other tall pieces of furniture that might be ready to fall over. Remove mirrors and heavy pictures from walls. They will not stay up if the wallboard is wet.
Rescue the Most Valuable Items
Find and protect the “irreplaceable” valuables such as money, jewelry, insurance papers, photographs, and family heirlooms. Wash the mud off before the items can dry. Put articles in a safe place such as a dry second story or a plastic bag, or take them to a friend’s home.
Photographs, books, and other articles that are easily damaged when wet can be frozen and cleaned later when you have more time. Wash the mud off. Store the articles in plastic bags and take them to a friend who has electricity. Put them in a frost-free freezer to protect them from mildew and further damage until you have time to thaw and clean them. A photographer or camera shop can professionally clean wet photographs.
Resist the urge to stop and clean everything you pick up. You need to get to work on protecting your home, assessing all the damages, and planning your recovery so you can save and restore as much as possible. You can clean up your belongings after you have done the more important things listed here.
Protect Your Home From Further Damage
You need to make sure that there will be no more damage from rain, wind, or animals. Your flood insurance policy may cover some of the cost of protecting your home from further damage or moving the contents to a safe place. (Read your policy and ask your agent what expenses are covered by your policy.)
Get fresh air moving through your home.
Open windows and doors if weather permits. This will reduce the moisture and get rid of any gas in the home. Do not try to force open a swollen window. Instead of breaking glass, remove the molding and take the window sash out of its frame.
Patch holes.
Cover holes in the roof, walls, or windows with boards, tarps, or plastic sheeting. Plastic sheets or trash bags should be nailed down with wood strips or taped with duct tape to keep them from ripping loose. It may not look pretty, but you need to do this so rain won’t cause any more water damage.
Repair sagging floors or roof sections.
Use 4 x 4’s or other heavy lumber to brace weak areas. If you’re uncertain how to shore up floor or ceiling joists, call a contractor.
Remove debris.
Tree limbs or other trash that may have landed on or floated into the home should be cleared away. Check for broken or leaking water pipes. If you find any, cut off the water supply by turning off the valve at your water meter. If you can’t find it, call the water company for help. Also check floor drains—they may be clogged with debris.
If the water pipes are not leaking, you can use your tap water for hosing and cleaning. But do not drink or cook with tap water until it has been declared safe. (If you are not on a municipal water system, the local health department will usually inspect your well and test your water. See Step 5 : Restore the Utilities)
Drain Your Basement Carefully
If your basement is flooded, don’t be in too big a hurry to pump it out. Here’s why. Water in the ground outside your home is pushing hard against the outside of your basement walls. But the water inside your basement is pushing right back.
If you drain your basement too quickly, the pressure outside the walls will be greater than the pressure inside the walls—and that may make the walls and floor crack and collapse, causing serious damage.
To avoid this situation, follow these steps when you pump the water out of your basement:
The mud left behind by floodwaters contains most of the health hazards you will face. It is very important to get rid of the mud as soon as possible. This is a lot easier if it is done before the mud dries out. Follow these steps:
Most of the information in this section assumes that the person doing the work has experience in construction and electrical repair. If you do not have experience in construction and electrical repair, do not try to do this work yourself.
Hire a qualified contractor or an electrician. It is still a good idea to read the information in this blog so you will have a better understanding of the jobs ahead, no matter who does them.
Even if you have some experience with construction and electrical work, do not attempt any job if you feel uncertain about the right thing to do or you wonder if the job is beyond your skill or physical strength. Read the instructions in this blog all the way through before you start. Gather your ools and supplies, and make sure you have enough help.
There is plenty of work to go around after a flood. Do only those jobs you can do well and without injuring yourself. If you cannot afford to get professional help, check with your Red Cross hapter, your local emergency management agency, or your building department to see if there are any volunteer programs available to you.
This section is designed for those who have experience in construction and electrical repair. If you are uncertain about these steps, contact a professional such as a licensed home repair contractor or an electrician.
A Note About Portable Generators
Portable generators can be a big help if you are without power.
But remember:
Make Sure It Is Safe to Go BackPortable generators can be a big help if you are without power.
But remember:
- Connect appliances one at a timeto the generator. Never hook a generator directly to your household wiring yourself. Only a qualified electrician can do this.
- Use generators outdoors only. They give off carbon monoxide fumes.
- Avoid using extension cords with generators. If you must use them, check them often to make sure they have not become hot.
Some floods have more than one crest or peak. Even though the water looks like it’s going down, it may rise again and trap you. Stay tuned to your radio or TV to find out if and when you can go back home. If you are not sure whether you can return, contact your local emergency manager.
Read the safety precautions at the top of this document. Each year about 150 people die because of floods. Many of those fatalities are due to electrocution or other accidents that occur after the floodwaters have gone down. Have someone with you ask you check your home and do repairs. Dress for the task—wear sturdy shoes and gloves.
Things You will Need When It Is Safe to Return Home
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Battery-operated radio
- Waterproof boots or waders
- Safety clothing, such as a hard hat and gloves
- Boots or shoes with hard soles
- Dust mask
- Camera or video camera to record damage
- Tools: crowbar, hammer, saw, pliers, crescent wrench, screw drivers, etc.
- Drinking water
- Trash bags
- A wooden stick for turning things over, scaring away snakes and small animals, and moving electrical wires
- Cleaning supplies
Check Your Home Before You Go In
If there is standing water next to the outside walls of your home, don’t go in. You won’t be able to tell if the building is safe or structurally sound. Before you go in, walk carefully around the outside of your home and check for loose power lines and gas leaks. You will know there is leaking gas by the putrid, distinct odor that is added to gas to let people know gas is leaking. If you find downed lines or leaks, call your utility company.
Check the foundation for cracks or other damage. Examine porch roofs and overhangs to be sure they still have all their supports.
Look for gaps between the steps and the home. If you see obvious damage, have a building inspector check the home before you go in. Some communities require official inspections for all buildings after a flood.
If any supports or portions of the foundation wall are missing or the ground has washed away, the floor is not safe. If you have any doubts about safety, contact a contractor before going in. Proceed very carefully.
How to Turn Off the Power
Turn off the electricity
main fuse
circuit fuse
Fuse Boxes
- Stand on a dry spot.
- If your box has a handle on the side, use a dry wooden stick or pole to pull the handle to OFF.
- Use the stick to open the door.
- Carefully pull out the main fuses. Use a dry wooden stick.
- Unscrew and remove each
main breaker
circuit breaker
Breaker Boxes
- Stand on a dry spot.
- Use a dry wooden stick or pole to open the door.
- Use the stick to push the main breaker switch to OFF.
- Use the stick to turn each circuit pbreaker to OFF
Electricity and water don’t mix. Turn the power off at your home!
Even if the power company has turned off electricity to the area, you must still make certain your home’s power supply is disconnected. You don’t want the power company to turn it on without warning while you’re working on it.
The electricity must be turned off at the main breaker box or fuse box. Your utility company may have removed your electric meter. This does not always turn off the power.
If you have to step in water to get to your electric box, call an electrician. Simply removing the electric meter does not always turn off the power. If you can get to your electric box without going through or standing in water, you can turn off the power yourself.
(See box).
Remember that if the electrical or gas controls are inside the home, do not turn them off until you can safely enter your home.
Turn off the gas
Gas appliances and pipes may have moved or broken during the flood, creating a gas leak. If you suspect a leak or smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. Leave the door open and, if the gas meter is outside, turn off the gas.
If your have gas appliances that were flooded, you will need to clean the mud out of the pilot and the burners. But first, you must turn off the gas.
There is a valve next to the gas meter. If the valve handle is parallel to the pipe, the gas is on. You may need a pair of pliers or a wrench to turn the valve. Turn it 90 degrees (a quarter turn) so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe to shut the gas off.
To be sure the gas is off, write down the numbers on all the dials in the meter. Check the dials at least five minutes later. If the numbers have changed, the valve is not closed. Gas is still flowing. Telephone your utility company for help and keep clear of the area until the gas has stopped flowing.
If you have a fuel oil or propane tank, it may have floated and broken the connecting pipes. Even an underground tank can float. Turn off the fuel valve at the tank and follow the instructions in Step 5 : Restore the Utilities before you turn the fuel back on.
Safety Checklist
Go Inside carefully- Wait for the water to go down
- Report downed power lines
- Report gas leaks
- Check for structural damage
- Turn off electricity
- Turn off gas or fuel
If the door sticks and has to be forced open, it is probably swollen. If it only sticks at the bottom, it can be forced open.
If it sticks at the top, your ceiling may be ready to fall. You can force the door open but wait outside the doorway for a minute where you will be protected if something falls.
If the door won’t open easily, it may be easier for you to enter your home through a window. Look carefully at the ceiling before you go in to be sure it is not ready to fall.
Do not smoke or use candles, gas lanterns, or other open flames in your home. Air out your home completely—there may be explosive gas.
Check the ceiling for signs of sagging. If there was a lot of wind and rain or if the flood was very deep, your ceiling may be holding water. Wet plaster or wallboard is very heavy and dangerous if it falls. If the ceiling is sagging, do the following before you go in:
- Make a poker by attaching a nail or other pointed object to the end of a long stick. (You might hammer a finish nail into the end of a broomstick.)
- Stand away from, not under, the sag. (Under a doorway issafest.) Poke a hole in the ceiling at the edge of the sag soany trapped water can begin todrain. Do not start at thecenter of the sag because theceiling may collapse suddenly.
- After the water drains, poke another hole, lower down the sag. Keep poking holes as you move to the lowest point.
- Tear down the sagging ceiling using extreme caution—it’s very heavy. You’ll have to replace it anyway.
- Repeat this procedure for any room that has sagging ceilings.
Check for cabinets and other tall pieces of furniture that might be ready to fall over. Remove mirrors and heavy pictures from walls. They will not stay up if the wallboard is wet.
Rescue the Most Valuable Items
Find and protect the “irreplaceable” valuables such as money, jewelry, insurance papers, photographs, and family heirlooms. Wash the mud off before the items can dry. Put articles in a safe place such as a dry second story or a plastic bag, or take them to a friend’s home.
Photographs, books, and other articles that are easily damaged when wet can be frozen and cleaned later when you have more time. Wash the mud off. Store the articles in plastic bags and take them to a friend who has electricity. Put them in a frost-free freezer to protect them from mildew and further damage until you have time to thaw and clean them. A photographer or camera shop can professionally clean wet photographs.
Resist the urge to stop and clean everything you pick up. You need to get to work on protecting your home, assessing all the damages, and planning your recovery so you can save and restore as much as possible. You can clean up your belongings after you have done the more important things listed here.
Protect Your Home From Further Damage
You need to make sure that there will be no more damage from rain, wind, or animals. Your flood insurance policy may cover some of the cost of protecting your home from further damage or moving the contents to a safe place. (Read your policy and ask your agent what expenses are covered by your policy.)
Get fresh air moving through your home.
Open windows and doors if weather permits. This will reduce the moisture and get rid of any gas in the home. Do not try to force open a swollen window. Instead of breaking glass, remove the molding and take the window sash out of its frame.
Patch holes.
Cover holes in the roof, walls, or windows with boards, tarps, or plastic sheeting. Plastic sheets or trash bags should be nailed down with wood strips or taped with duct tape to keep them from ripping loose. It may not look pretty, but you need to do this so rain won’t cause any more water damage.
Repair sagging floors or roof sections.
Use 4 x 4’s or other heavy lumber to brace weak areas. If you’re uncertain how to shore up floor or ceiling joists, call a contractor.
Remove debris.
Tree limbs or other trash that may have landed on or floated into the home should be cleared away. Check for broken or leaking water pipes. If you find any, cut off the water supply by turning off the valve at your water meter. If you can’t find it, call the water company for help. Also check floor drains—they may be clogged with debris.
If the water pipes are not leaking, you can use your tap water for hosing and cleaning. But do not drink or cook with tap water until it has been declared safe. (If you are not on a municipal water system, the local health department will usually inspect your well and test your water. See Step 5 : Restore the Utilities)
Drain Your Basement Carefully
If your basement is flooded, don’t be in too big a hurry to pump it out. Here’s why. Water in the ground outside your home is pushing hard against the outside of your basement walls. But the water inside your basement is pushing right back.
If you drain your basement too quickly, the pressure outside the walls will be greater than the pressure inside the walls—and that may make the walls and floor crack and collapse, causing serious damage.
To avoid this situation, follow these steps when you pump the water out of your basement:
- Never go into a basement with standing water in it unless you are sure the electricity is off.
- After floodwaters are no longer on top of the ground, you can start pumping the water out of the basement. Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors because gasoline engines create deadly carbon monoxide exhaust fumes.
- Pump the water level down two to three feet. Mark the level and wait overnight.
- Check the water level the next day. If the water went back up, it’s still too early to try to drain the basement. Wait overnight. Then pump the water down two to three feet again. Check the level the next day.
- When the water stops going back up, pump down another two to three feet and wait overnight. Repeat steps 4 : Dry Out Your Home and 5 : Restore the Utilities until all water is pumped out of the basement.
Health Precautions
Hose the House and Its Contents - Assume that anything touched by floodwaters is contaminated.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Disinfect everything floodwaters have touched
The mud left behind by floodwaters contains most of the health hazards you will face. It is very important to get rid of the mud as soon as possible. This is a lot easier if it is done before the mud dries out. Follow these steps:
- Shovel out as much mud as possible.
- Make sure the electricity is turned off. Unplug all appliances and lamps, remove all light bulbs, and remove the cover plates to wall switches and outlets that got wet. Check with your local building department to see if your code allows you to disconnect the wiring from the switches and outlets.If the code does not allow you to disconnect them, leave the wires connected and pull them out of their boxes as shown in the drawing. They can be replaced during Step 5 : Restore the Utilities by an electrician.
If the code permits, it is probably best to throw away switches and outlets that were flooded and replace them with new ones. - Check your water system for leaks from pipes that may have moved. Even if your water supply is not safe to drink, it can be used for cleaning the home. If you have water, hose the home down, inside and out. If you have an attachment that sprays soap, wash and then rinse the walls and floors. Hose the furniture, too, and other major items that got muddy.
- Heating and air conditioning ducts that got flooded will have mud left in them. If you don’t clean them out, your system will be blowing foul, dusty air that contains the same health hazards you are trying to get rid of. To clean the ducts, remove the vents or registers. If possible, remove some sections of the ducts in the basement or crawl space to give you access to all areas. Then thoroughly hose out all the ducts.
- While you hose the walls, thoroughly hose out the electrical outlet, switch boxes, and light sockets that you opened up. Follow the steps (found later in this document) before turning the electricity back on.
- After you hose out the duck work to remove the mud, wash it with a disinfectant or sanitizer, such as the quaternary, phenolic, or pine oil based ones. (Check labels for the contents and instructions). If your ducts are in a slab or are otherwise inaccessible, have them cleaned by a professional.
- Don’t let the water sit on the floor for long, especially if your floor has particle board or other wood product that tends to fall apart when wet. Use a mop, “wet vac,” or squeegee.
IKLAN 2