Property Restoration After a Flood: Which Household Item Should You Save?
If possible, you don’t want to get rid of some household items you have probably kept for years. They can be photo albums, books, baby clothes, carpets, or anything else with sentimental value. But after a flood, you may have to.
Before calling a property restoration company, look for items you want to save. Here’s a guide to help you decide which household items are worth trying to restore and which ones you should get rid of.
1. Furniture
If floodwaters have soaked your furniture, it’s probably not worth trying to save. Waterlogged furniture is heavy and difficult to clean and disinfect. It may also be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. However, if your furniture is only mildly damp, you may be able to salvage it.
First, try to prop up the furniture so that it can air dry. If possible, remove the cushions and set them in the sun to dry. Once the furniture is dry, you can clean it with a disinfectant solution. If your furniture has been contaminated by sewage, it’s best to get rid of it.
2. Appliances
Appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, washers, and dryers, can be expensive to replace. If they’ve been soaked with floodwater, they should be inspected by a professional before you consider throwing them out. In some cases, water-soaked appliances can be cleaned and repaired. However, if they’ve been contaminated by sewage, it’s best to get rid of them.
3. Carpeting
Carpeting that floodwaters have soaked is difficult to clean and disinfect and is also a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Roll up the carpet and set it in the sun to dry. Once it’s dry, you can vacuum it and treat it with a disinfectant solution. It’s always safe to get rid of it if it has been contaminated with sewage.
4. Photo Albums and Books
If the photo album is made of paper, there’s a good chance it can be saved. If the photos are stuck to the pages, gently separate them and let them dry separately. If the photos are wrinkled, you can try ironing them on a low setting. You can put them back in the album once they’re dry. It might be harder to restore if the photo album is made of cloth or other materials.
On the other hand, books can usually be restored if they’re made of paper. Gently brush off any mud or dirt and let them dry separately. Once they’re dry, you can try flattening them out with a heavy book or putting them under something heavy overnight.
5. Baby Clothes
If the baby clothes are made of cotton or other natural fibers, you may be able to restore them. First, gently brush off any mud or dirt and let them soak in cold water for a few hours. Wash them in your washing machine on the delicate cycle. If the clothes are stained, you can try pre-treating them with a stain remover before washing them.
You should get rid of them when they’re made of synthetic fibers or if they’ve been contaminated with sewage.
Conclusion
After a flood, it’s essential to assess which household items can be saved and which ones should be thrown out. Furniture, appliances, carpeting, photo albums, and books can usually be restored if they’ve been soaked with floodwater. However, if they’ve been contaminated by sewage, it’s best to get rid of them.
On top of these, call professionals to help with the restoration process. Visit this link to see how it works.