Question: How do I get rid of the smell after a flood at my house?
Answer: After removing water and mud with a broom or wet-dry vacuum, spray surfaces with lukewarm water, starting with the floor, then moving to the walls and working up. Use a coarse brush or long-handled broom to scrub these surfaces.
Then use hot water with a heavy-duty cleaner to scrub all surfaces, again from the bottom to the top. Follow with a rinse, using a brush moistened with a solution of 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
Repeat scrubbing and rinsing until the odor is gone. Don't open the windows if it is humid. Buy or rent a dehumidifier, or run central air conditioning or fans to dry things out.
Q: How do I disinfect after water and sewage come in?
A: Use a solution of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water. You can use rock salt on hard surfaces such as plaster and painted drywall, but not on concrete floors, which the salt will damage. Use one cup of rock salt per gallon of water.
Never mix bleach and ammonia; hazardous fumes result.
Q: What about wet carpeting?
A: If a carpet has become soaked with water and sewage, ditch it. You'll never be able to clean it, and it's a health risk. When you pick it up, use rubber gloves, and be careful not to scrape your skin.
If the water damage is slight, remove the carpet - if it is not glued down - roll it up, and take it outside. Drape it over a sawhorse or chairs so it will drain, but do not let it dry this way or it can stretch out of shape. Once the water drains, lay the carpet on the ground to finish drying.
Get rid of the carpet pad. Wash floors as described above.
Have the carpet cleaned professionally, or rent a steam cleaner. If the carpet must stay in place, use a wet-dry vacuum to clean up mud and water.
Some experts suggest using liquid (but not full-strength) ammonia cleaner or pine-based cleaner, but make sure these will not stain the carpet or cause it to fade. Be sure the carpet is dry before bringing it inside. Residual moisture can breed mildew and mold.
Q: How do I dry out walls and floors?
A: If the walls are insulated, you may need to remove the baseboards to ventilate wall cavities. Unless moisture there is allowed to dry, odors will linger. After you have removed the baseboards, drill holes a few inches above the floor between the studs to drain water.
The insulation might have to be removed, dried and replaced. Wet insulation is useless, can breed mold and mildew, and will perpetually stink.
Plastered walls and washable vinyl wallpaper can be cleaned. Allow the plaster to dry thoroughly before washing it. Use a mild soap and water to clean painted walls. If you have to repaint, wait a couple months for the walls to dry completely, or the new paint will blister.
Woodwork should be cleaned with a stiff brush and non-sudsing detergent while the wood is still wet.
Wood floors will buckle, so leave them alone to dry. Open doors and windows on non-humid days, and maintain an indoor temperature of about 55 degrees, or the wood will warp or shrink. On warm days, use fans or air conditioners.
Q: What about the furnace?
A: Any heating system exposed to flooding needs to be checked. Even if it works, the chimney and smoke box could be clogged with dirt, and the furnace could explode.
Check the part of the chimney that meets the foundation to ensure that the water has not washed away mortar.
If you use fuel oil, inspect the storage tank for opened seams. Do not turn on the fan motor or electric-ignition system unless they are clean and dry.
Have all heating systems checked by competent repair people, preferably those who usually do service for you.
If you must turn the heat on soon, keep it low. High heat will dry out wood floors too fast and cause them to warp.
Q: How do I dry out important papers and photographs?
A: First, drain water from the items by placing them upright in a box, separated by waxed paper. Stand books up.
If photos are stuck together, don't pull them apart. Wet them again, then try it, so you don't damage the emulsion.
Clean photos carefully in a photo tray, and put them between clean blotters to absorb the water, changing the blotters frequently.
Put the documents in plastic freezer bags and store them in the freezer until you are ready to deal with them. To dry photos, hang them on a clothesline or run a fan to let air circulate over them.
Numbers to Call
For a life-threatening situation, including the smell of gas, a sparking power line, or a medical emergency, call 911.
For a nonemergency situation, such as a downed tree obstructing a roadway, call local police.
For a power outage or downed power line, call Peco at 1-800-841-4141. In New Jersey, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 or Atlantic City Electric at 1-800-833-7476.
If you live in an area likely to be flooded, arrange beforehand to stay with others outside the flood area.
To evacuate, use limited-access highways. Avoid side streets with deep water.
For information on Amtrak railroad service, call 800-872-7245 or check online at www.amtrak.com.
To check flights out of Philadelphia International Airport, call 800-745-4283 or check online at www.phl.org.