This is PART 1 of our 2-Part article addressing Weather-Event Home Flood Clean Up – 75 TIPS.  PART 2 provides the STEPS involved in the clean-up — from beginning to end.  Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.    Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full-service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We’ll arrange an appointment at your convenience.

NOTE: Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, TX Does Not Provide Flood-Damage Cleanup Services.   

This in-depth article is provided as a service to those needing to do Weather-Event Flood Clean Up themselves. 

Weather-Event Flood Clean Up Yourself – 75 TIPS (Part 1 of 2)

Click Here For Part 2 — Clean Up STEPS:  AlsPlumbing.com Weather Event Flood Clean Up STEPS (Part 2 of 2)

Note: Click Below If Your Home Flooded Due To A Burst Water Pipe:

AlsPlumbing.com Clean Up A Home Flood Caused By Burst Water Pipe

NOTE: Weather-Event Flood Damage Is Not Covered By A Standard Homeowners Insurance Policy.

Weather-Event Flooding Includes; storms, overflowing bodies of water (rivers, ponds, lakes, & ocean), and overly water-saturated ground.

You may be able to purchase a Separate Flood-Insurance Policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. **

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S.  Within the past several years — all 50 states have experienced floods and flash-floods.

** Source:  https://www.allstate.com/tr/home-insurance/water-damage.aspx#:~:text=Here’s%20another%20important%20thing%20to,the%20National%20Flood%20Insurance%20Program.&text=And%20your%20insurance%20will%20only,for%20each%20type%20of%20coverage.

Weather-Event Flood Clean UpYourself – 75 TIPS

Image Source: Pixabay

First — Let’s Discuss Safety Precautions

After A Weather-Event Flood — There Can Be Unseen Hazards

Image Source: ShutterStock

Wear Rubber Boots — To Help Protect From Electrical Shock And Keep Your Feet Dry.

Many Home Components Are Typically Damaged By Water

HVAC System

Appliances

Image Source: ShutterStock

• It’s unlikely that flooded electric appliances are safe to use — if they work at all.
• Appliances’ ciruits can be shorted out during floods. They will need to be cleaned and checked by a professional before use.
• Gas appliances (range, cooktop, wall oven) may be reusable once they’re professionally cleaned.

Electrical System 

• 
• The electrical system must be professionally inspected to ensure it’s undamaged and safe to use.

Gas Lines

• Gas lines must be professionally inspected to ensure they are undamaged and safe to use.

Weather-Event Flood Clean Up — Drywall or Plastered Walls

Shown: Molded Drywall & Wood Wall Studs (shown from inside a wall)

Image Source: ShutterStock

Drywall Removal:

• Drywall begins to mold within 48 hours.

• If not removed — drywall will remain contaminated after drying.

• Cleaning the surface isn’t enough — mold will grow in the backside of the drywall.

• To remove water-damaged drywall — score it with a utility-knife (the video below shows a utility knife).

• Then you can likely push on the (wet) drywall — and it will easily break and become removable.

• Put the wet drywall in “Contractor-Size” trash bags — and set the bags at the curb for pick up.

• Flood-damaged drywall must be removed at 24″ above the flood level.  This is because drywall acts like a sponge — and wicks water upward from the flood level.

Why It’s Often Best To Remove The Entire Lower 48″ Of The Wall: 

• Drywall is installed horizontally on walls.

• A drywall sheet is 4 feet X 8 feet.  This matches homes with 8 foot ceilings.

• Removing the drywall at 4 feet aligns with the original seam between the drywall panels.

Insulation Inside Walls:

• Fiberglass &  Cellulose insulation (made of recycled paper) must be removed and replaced.

• Foam insulation can be washed clean.

• You can likely keep insulation inside walls that’s 24″ above the flood-level.

Lumber Inside Walls:

• You don’t need to remove the lumber inside the wall. 

• Lumber can be reused after it’s; cleaned, disinfected, and allowed to dry.

• Don’t add new drywall until the lumber is 20% moisture or less. **  

• If you add drywall before the lumber is dry — the new drywall mold too.

• Adding fans and dehumidifiers will speed the drying process.  Run them 24/7.

• A wood moisture-meter will let you know when you can begin restoration with new drywall. 

** Source: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2008/jul/120901.htm#:~:text=Let%20the%20Wood%20Dry,won’t%20get%20mildew%20growth.

Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video

Here’s An Example Of Drywall & Insulation Removal After A Flood

Drywall or Plastered Ceilings

• If your roof was damaged during the Weather-Event — you will see wet or brown spots in your ceilings.

• If this has occurred — the drywall must be removed at the spot + 24″ in each direction from the spot.

• You don’t need the replace the entire ceiling — only where it’s wet.

Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video

This YouTube video demonstrates how to replace a section of drywall in the ceiling.

Weather-Event Flood Clean Up — Concrete Sub-Floors

• Concrete sub-floors are ok once they are dried out.

• During the original concrete drying process — moisture created pathways inside the concrete (called capillaries).

• Excess moisture inside the concrete moves through these pathways to release the moisture.

• Since most concrete floors have a vapor-retarder below — moisture must move upwards to escape

• After a flood — the drying process can take months.   This is because the ground under the home was also saturated with water.

• If you put new floor coverings over concrete that’s still too moist — the new flooring will become damaged from the moisture still moving upward from the concrete.

• Acceptable moisture in concrete is 75% or less.  **

• This is based on the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) standard. **

• Your Concrete Moisture-Meter will guide you when it’s safe to begin restoration.

• The Bottom-Line: Check the flooring manufacturer’s specs to find the acceptable moisture-level for a specific floor covering.

** Source: https://www.concretemoisture.com/installers/8-truths-about-concrete-moisture/

Weather-Event Flood Clean Up — Wood Sub-Floors

• Remove carpet & pad and discard.  This will allow the sub-floor to dry more quickly and thoroughly.

• Wood sub-floor surface-materials (plywood, particle-board, and Oriented Strand-Bboard (OSB) — typically soak up water and self-destruct.

Click Here To See Water-Damaged Particle-Board Sub-Floor: Water-Damaged Particle Board

Click Here To See Water-Damaged OSB Sub-Floor: Water Damaged Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Click Here To See Water-Damage Plywood: Water Damaged Plywood

• If sub-floors look; swelled up, warped, or buckled — they must be replaced.   This refers to the surface-material — not the framing lumber it’s nailed to.  Framing lumber can be cleaned and refused.

• Sub-floor material moisture must be at 15% or lower before beginning restoration.

• The Bottom-Line: Check the flooring manufacturer’s specs to find the acceptable moisture-level for a specific floor covering.

• Your Wood Moisture-Meter will advise when restoration can begin.

FLOOR-COVERING REMOVAL SAFETY NOTES:

• • • If you have a home built before 1980 — it may have Asbestos in hard-surface floor coverings. **
    • You should assume that rigid floor tiles measuring 8”x 8” or 9”x 9” and in a home built before 1980 contain asbestos.
    • When it doubt — leave them in place.  If they contain asbestos — they must be removed by professionals.  **
    • If any asbestos floor tiles are; missing, broken, chipped, crumbling, appear to have been sanded — or have any other visible evidence they’re damaged or altered — Hire A Professional Asbestos-Removal Company.

Copy The Link Below Into Your Browser To See Several Photos Of Floor Tiles That Contain Asbestos:

https://www.google.com/search?q=asbestos+floor+tiles&sxsrf=ALeKk00uaiyZm9tz2OXr3anYa-X-Oo2NpA:1615824130318&source=lnms&tbm=isch&biw=1097&bih=554#imgrc=D4-nWaS7UVZcOM

Copy This Link Into Your Browser For Details On Where Your Home May Have Additional Building Materials Containing Asbestos: https://scotthomeinspection.com/types-of-asbestos/

** Source: https://www.asbestos.com/products/vinyl-products/#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20use%20of%20asbestos,asbestos%20vinyl%20flooring%20and%20wallpaper.

Weather-Event Flood Clean Up — Laminated Wood Flooring (& Furnishings): 

• These materials typically soak up water and self-destruct.
• If a wood floor covering looks swelled up, or its shape is distorted — it must be replaced.  This refers to the wood floor-covering material. 
• Sub-floor material moisture must be at 15% or lower before beginning restoration.
• This applies to both home-building materials and laminated furniture.

Click Here To See Water-Damaged Laminate Wood Flooring: Water Damaged Laminate Flooring

Weather-Event Flood Clean Up — Hardwood Flooring (& Furnishings): 

• Once hardwood flooring is soaked with water, it swells up.
• After swell hardwood floors typically buckle.
• If buckled, hardwood flooring must be replaced.  This refers to the wood floor covering — not the framing lumber it’s nailed to.
• Sub-floor material moisture must be at 15% or lower before beginning restoration.
• Framing lumber can be cleaned and reused.
• This applies to both home-building materials and solid wood furniture.

Click Here To See Water-Damaged Hardwood Flooring: Water Damaged Hardwood Flooring

This Is Part 1 Of Our 2-Part Article About How To Clean Up A Weather-Event Home Flood. 

Click Here For Part-2 — Clean Up STEPS:  AlsPlumbing.com Weather Event Flood Clean Up STEPS (Part 2 of 2)

This was PART 1 of our 2-Part article addressing Weather-Event Home Flood Clean Up – 75 TIPS.  PART 2 provides the STEPS involved in the clean-up — from beginning to end.  Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.    Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full-service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We’ll arrange an appointment at your convenience