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If your home floods, stay out until local officials say it is safe to return. Before cleanup, document the damage and contact your insurer; then check local instructions about utilities and drinking water. Once the building is safe to work in, remove standing water and wet materials and dry the home as quickly as possible to limit mold growth.
What should you do while flooding is happening?
Follow evacuation orders and local alerts. Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. It can hide debris and contamination, and downed or underground power lines can electrically charge the water. Do not return to the property until local authorities say it is safe.
What to do before starting cleanup
Document the damage and contact your insurer
Before moving or discarding damaged belongings, photograph the house and its contents and contact your insurer. Keep following the insurer’s instructions about documenting the loss and handling damaged property.
Check local safety and water instructions
Ask local authorities or the relevant utility about structural damage and gas, electrical, sewer, or water-system hazards. Check with your local health department or water utility about drinking water. Do not assume tap water is safe after a flood.
#1 Best Overall
- JUST WHAT YOU NEED TO SOAK UP WATER FAST: Kit contains (3) 3" x 48" absorbing socks and (8) 15" x 19" super-absorbent water pads
- KIT ABSORBS UP TO 5 GALLONS: Each sock absorbs up to 1 gallon, each pad absorbs up to 29 ounces
- REUSABLE SOCKS KEEP GOING: Socks are made of 100% polypropylene skin and filler — after use, hang them up, let them air dry and put them back to work; NOTE: Do not put socks in the washing machine or dryer, they will come apart
- NEW, IMPROVED PADS HELP YOU CLEAN UP FASTER: New, super-absorbent pads pull water in on contact for quicker cleanups; wring and reuse until the water is gone, then toss
- KEEPS BASEMENTS DRY: Socks are perfect for controlling moisture in the basement or garage; leave them down in trouble spots to soak up leaks, condensation or puddles
Avoid standing water if electrical hazards have not been ruled out. Do not touch wet electrical equipment or use powered cleanup equipment until electrical safety is established. There is no single shutoff procedure that is safe for every flooded home; follow directions from local officials or a qualified professional.
Keep fuel-burning equipment outside
Use generators and other fuel-burning equipment outdoors, at least 20 feet from buildings and openings. Keep generators away from standing water and wet areas as well.
Rank #2
- Smart Vent Flood Vent Sealing Kit creates a tight seal behind the flood vent opening and finish off the interior space while the vent is not in use
- When a flood event occurs, the precision cut, engineered material is dislodged, creating an unobstructed opening allowing the engineered flood vent to fully function.
- This simple, energy efficient upgrade is for any new or existing SMART VENT Insulated Model #1540-520 in your home or business, which exceeds the 2018 energy codes.
- Because the Homasote is composed of 98% recycled material, it is biodegradable and will decompose leading to less post-flood cleanup.
How to remove water, dry the home, and prevent mold
Start drying as soon as it is safe
Remove standing water and wet materials promptly. The CDC recommends cleaning and drying the home within 24 to 48 hours if possible. The EPA advises assuming mold may have grown if the home and belongings could not be dried within 24–48 hours.
Open doors and windows while working, and leave them open when it is safe to do so. After electrical safety is established, fans and dehumidifiers can help with drying; the CDC recommends placing fans to blow outdoors or toward windows. They support drying but do not replace removing contaminated material or addressing the source of moisture.
Rank #3
- QUICKLY CLEAN UP AND DIVERT WATER in your home, garage, or workshop with this Flood Control Kit.
- KIT CONTAINS: (12) 3" W x 48” L PIG Water Absorbent Socks, (50) 15” W x 19” L PIG Water Absorbent Mat Pads and (2) 6.5” W x 10’L x 3.5”H when fully saturated Outdoor PIG Water Barriers
- WATER-ACTIVATED FLOOD BARRIERS ARE 10’ LONG and swell on contact with water to form a strong, sturdy barrier in front of your driveway, garage or door. Leave in place for up to 6 months while saturated; not ideal for reuse after drying.
- REUSEABLE WATER ABSORBENT SOCKS can be left down long-term, then once wet air-dry and reuse 1-3 times. These flexible socks stop leaks, drips and condensation
- WATER-ABSORBING MATS PULL IN LARGE VOLUMES OF WATER on contact; superfast wicking helps you quickly eliminate pools and puddles to prevent damage and injuries; Wring and re-use during a single water clean-up
Remove materials that cannot be safely dried and cleaned
Discard drywall and insulation contaminated by sewage or floodwater. Remove other wet porous items that cannot be cleaned and dried promptly. Floodwater may contain sewage, bacteria, or agricultural and industrial waste, so do not try to salvage contaminated materials that cannot be made clean and dry.
For salvageable hard surfaces and objects, use detergent and water, then dry them promptly. The CDC recommends hot water and laundry or dish detergent for cleanable wet surfaces and objects. Do not paint or caulk over mold: remove the mold and correct the moisture problem first.
Rank #4
- Water Activated Flood Bags, Rated #1 in Flood Control
- Grows to 3.5in high in minutes, just get them wet
- Contains up to 50ft of Flood Protection in each Bucket
- Use to control, contain & divert flood water
- Ready to use, no sand or labor needed
Keep the HVAC system off until the work is complete
Do not turn the HVAC system back on until cleanup and drying are complete and needed repairs or remediation have been addressed. A contaminated system can spread debris or mold spores through the home.
How to protect people during flood cleanup
For cleanup work, the EPA says: “At a minimum, wear protective gloves, an N95 respirator, and goggles without holes.” Use this protective equipment only as part of a safe work plan; it does not make an unsafe building or contaminated floodwater safe to enter or handle.
Best Value
- COMPLETE SPILL RESPONSE KIT IN ONE BAG: Be ready for quick response with 15 universal absorbent pads and 2 flexible oil and water socks packed in a compact yellow zipper tote portable Spill Kit . Intermountain Absorbents Basic Universal Spill Kits effectively manage spills. Industrial personnel and responders face issues with spills and hazardous materials, and our absorbent socks for spills, oil dry absorbent or oil absorbent pads and absorbent socks for water can accommodate seamlessly.
- UNIVERSAL ABSORBENT SPILL KIT FOR VERSATILE CLEANUPS: Handle a variety of non-aggressive liquid spills with confidence. Our Spill Cleanup Kit creates an efficient oil spill mat or water dam barrier on tough surfaces, addressing concerns like water barriers for flooding to keep floor dry. Facilities managers often face spill containment issues, and our oil mat and water snake or water absorbent pads bundle tackles this like super absorbent sponge- reliable for most general-purpose cleanup tasks.
- QUICK ACCESS SPILL RESPONSE: Emergency response teams often need to act fast with Emergency Spill Kit flood protection barrier and water absorbers for basement- our accessible spill control kit is for rapid deployment. The bright yellow tote stands out in any environment, allowing for quick location. This quick access is crucial in minimizing spill impact with absorbent mats as flood prevention barriers, oil absorbing sheets or pads, body fluid clean up kit, or oil pads absorbing automotive.
- PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: Compact design makes this yellow spill kit bag great for service trucks, fleet vehicles, maintenance carts, or storage. Our spill absorbent pads and flood bags and barriers are portable and lightweight, ideal for scenarios including flood barriers for home exterior, biohazard cleanup kit, chemical spill containment, and sewage spill cleanup. Responders encounter challenges of transporting tools swiftly, and our industrial spill kits address this challenge.
- IDEAL FOR VEHICLES, JOB SITES, & SMALL SPACES: Shape the two included absorbent socks and containment mat around machine bases as chemical spill kit, doorways as flood barriers for doors, or absorb more spill pads or absorbent pads for spills to contain and control spreading liquids. The oil & water absorbent socks shape to surfaces for maximum contact and effective containment. This spill kit with Nitrile gloves is a smart addition to emergency preparedness plans where fast action is critical.
- Keep children out of disaster cleanup.
- People with asthma or other lung conditions, and people with immune suppression, should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or visible or smelled mold.
- If floodwater contacts a cut, clean it with soap and clean water. Skin contact alone does not pose a serious health risk, according to the CDC, but eating or drinking anything contaminated by floodwater can cause illness. Seek appropriate medical advice for an injury or illness.
- Never mix cleaning products. The CDC warns that mixing bleach and ammonia can create toxic vapors. Follow product labels and local health guidance.
When should you hire a flood-restoration professional?
The EPA says cleanup may be too difficult or dangerous for a homeowner, and that qualified professionals may be the better choice. Consider professional evaluation when the situation involves hazards or work that exceeds what you can safely manage:
| Situation | Practical response |
|---|---|
| Structural or electrical hazards have not been cleared | Do not begin cleanup in the affected area; get direction from local authorities or qualified professionals. |
| Floodwater or sewage contamination is extensive | Consider qualified restoration help, particularly where contaminated materials must be removed. |
| Water has affected large areas, or the building remains damp | Seek professional assessment if drying is difficult or moisture persists. |
| Mold is significant or the HVAC system may be contaminated | Consider professional evaluation before restoring normal use of affected rooms or the system. |
| Someone in the household has asthma, another lung condition, or immune suppression | Keep that person out of areas with indoor leaks or visible or smelled mold; arrange help from someone who can work safely. |
Look for professionals with certification, training, or experience in water-damage restoration, mold removal, or building drying. Local building requirements may also affect removal and repair work.
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