Owner`s manual

Flood-Damaged Walls, Ceilings and Floors
REMOVING MOISTURE, CLEANING AND REPAIRING
Be prepared to let
flood-damaged walls, ceilings
and floors dry for several weeks.
If restoration work is completed
before proper drying, mold and
mildew will continue to grow.
The result may be structural
damage to your home, the need
to repaint walls or replace new
wall coverings, and discomfort
or illness to family members
who have allergies.
GETTING THE MOISTURE OUT
Remove all water as soon as possible from your home. Also remove
furnishings that are water soaked. Once water is removed, the next step is
removing moisture that has been absorbed by wood, plaster and other
materials.
If the weather permits, open doors and windows to remove moisture and
odors. If the outside humidity becomes greater than inside, close things up;
likewise, close up the house overnight if temperatures drop and moist air
might otherwise be drawn indoors. If windows are stuck tight, take off
window strips and remove entire sash. If doors are stuck, drive out door
hinge pins with a screwdriver and hammer, then remove.
Consider using dehumidifiers to speed up drying when outside humidity
levels are high. If possible, rent commercial dehumidifiers, which remove
three to four times more water than home models. When using
dehumidifiers, shut windows and doors. If there is severe flooding in your
home, consider hiring a contractor for water removal. Some companies can
dry homes in less than a week with commercial dehumidifiers and air
movers.
WALLS and CEILINGS
Wash out mud, dirt and debris as soon as possible with a hose and mop
cloth or sponge.
Start cleaning from the top floor or upper limit of flooding and work
downward.
Remove wallboard, plaster and paneling to at least the flood level.
Wallboard acts like a sponge when wet. If soaked by contaminated
floodwater, it can be a permanent health hazard and should be removed. If
most of the wallboard was soaked by clean rainwater, consider cutting a 4-
to 12-inch-high section from the bottom and top of walls. This creates a
“chimney effect” of air movement for faster drying. A reciprocating saw
with a metal cutting blade works well, but use only the tip of the blade and
watch out for pipes, ductwork and wiring.
Plaster usually does not need to be replaced, though it will take a very
long time to dry.
Some paneling may be salvaged if allowed to dry slowly. You also should
remove and dispose of any flood-damaged insulation, which will hold
water for months after getting wet.
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension FLOOD-CLEAN-UP/REPAIR
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