It’s hard to believe the extraordinary circumstances Queensland and Northern NSW have faced with flooding recently. So many individuals and businesses have been impacted, including some of our own. We're reeling… and we’re not alone.
As we have seen across both states, floods can cause serious damage to all types of properties, and while it's an unsettling time for many, there’s a long way to go.
As a maintenance company that services Queensland and NSW, we’ve experienced an influx of enquiries and insurance requests over the last few weeks and we know how important it is to restore homes and buildings following a flood, to mitigate the risk of lasting damage.
Below is a guide that details what to expect when hiring contractors to restore your property. We'll go over the various areas you'll need to cover as you go about restoring your building after a flood.
Health and safety
The very first step to take before beginning the clean-up process is to ensure that the property doesn't put anybody at risk of harm while cleaning up. To make sure the property is safe and secure, it's important to have the power either cut off or checked to make sure power supplies are safe. Additionally, it's important to check and secure or disconnect electrical and gas appliances.
If a home has been flooded, residents may still be able to live in it while repairs and restoration take place. However, there are some instances when homeowners may need to live away from the home until professionals have completed the clean-up process, particularly if the flood damage is extensive enough to render the property uninhabitable.
If you're a homeowner and your house experiences flooding, there are certain circumstances when you may be able to live in the home. For example, you may be able to occupy your home if power supplies and other systems aren't extensively damaged and won’t put you or your family at risk of harm. You may also live in the home after removing water, debris, and mud from the property.
After prioritising health and safety, it's time to start the clean-up process.
Clean-up
The next phase is cleaning up. This process will entail removing all wet furniture and other items from the property to clean them and dry them out as needed. Items that sustain heavy water damage may be impossible to restore. An example of this might be mattresses, carpeting, and plasterboard, which can often be too damaged to benefit from cleaning and drying.
To access all areas that could trap water and debris, you'll need to remove:
- All internal wall linings
- Kickers beneath cabinets
- The plates and fittings of electrical switches
- And more
You may also need to remove ceilings if they have water trapped above them.
The process will then involve removing all silt and mud located throughout the property, including:
- In cupboards
- Beneath baths and floorboards
- In wall cavities
- Under stairs
- In basements or garages
Doing so will require the use of tools such as squeegees and shovels, along with clean water to further clear mud and other debris. Flood-carried infections may pose a health hazard to occupants, making it important to use diluted bleach or disinfectant to remove harmful microorganisms.
Sub-floor spaces
Following initial clean-up, you'll need to clean out the areas underneath the property's flooring to further mitigate moisture buildup. Keep in mind that when a property experiences flooding, the ground beneath the property may change as water reaches these spaces.
It's possible to drain water from these areas by either pumping water out, forming drainage channels that lead water away, or digging a pit to drain water into before pumping it out. To further prevent excess moisture from affecting sub-floor spaces, sub-floors should be higher than the property's surrounding ground surface. This will help keep water away from them.
After getting rid of water present in sub-floor spaces, you'll need to remove all other debris resulting from the flooding. This might entail checking piping, drain systems, and electrical systems for the presence of debris and any damage requiring repairs.
Drying out the property after flood damage
After completing the clean-up process, it's time to begin drying out the building. Every part of the home will require drying out, including sub-floor spaces, wall linings, and flooring. It's possible to dry out sub-floor spaces by:
- Removing all items stored beneath the property
- Removing or trimming plants that obstruct vents
- Clearing other debris located near exterior vents
- Leaving doors open when possible
- Removing grilles from vents to improve airflow
To dry out other areas of the property, it's best to use quick-drying processes. To quick-dry the property, contractors will start by removing linings from walls and replacing them later. On days when outdoor conditions are dry, windows and doors can remain open to further assist with drying. All cupboards should also remain open to ensure they dry efficiently.
The following are other considerations for different spaces in the property:
Interior walls
To clean interior walls, contractors will use water and detergent to remove dirt from cracks and other spaces, and they may use bristle brushes to clean Villaboard or wood panelling. They'll also likely need to remove any plasterboard and items made with composite wood materials if they have sustained water damage, as these materials have a low tolerance for immersion in water.
Exterior walls
Contractors may also need to clear weep holes in exterior walls to dry them out. Any delamination of finishes will also require the removal and replacement of wall materials.
Doors and cabinetry
These parts of the property often feature timber construction, which is vulnerable to water damage during flooding. Cabinets may also feature particleboard or plywood that could experience gradual delamination or deterioration. As a result, it's important to remove these items if they've been immersed in water.
Electrical and appliances
The majority of appliances in homes and other properties have electric motors located close to the floor. This can expose them to floodwater if it's deep enough to reach this machinery. Contractors will need to check these appliances, make any necessary repairs to them, and perform tests to get them back up and running after a flood.
Repairs after flood damage
Once the property is sufficiently dry, contractors can repair any building materials or appliances to fully restore the property. Timber, building paper, and all items exposed to floodwaters may require repairs or replacements after absorbing the water. Some items may also require reinstallation, including appliances, hot water cylinders, electrical fittings, shower mixers, and carpeting that lacks rubber underlays or backing.
Contractors can also begin painting once the property is dry enough and moisture levels are low.
Testing for moisture
Prior to replacing wall linings, it's necessary to test for moisture. After all, moisture levels could negatively impact the property's structure if they're high enough. A flooring hygrometer can help test for moisture in concrete floors, or contractors may use other measures to calculate moisture levels.
Working with contractors to restore your property
As you can see, there are many steps involved in the restoration process for properties after flood damage occurs. Make sure your property is sufficiently cleaned, dried, and repaired after a flood; hire professionals with experience handling these situations. Experienced and knowledgeable contractors can help fully restore home or business properties and make them entirely inhabitable after exposure to floodwater. This will make sure that your property efficiently recovers from flood damage.
Homeowners unsure of what to do following a natural disaster that resulted in flood damage can find resources like this Asbestos and Natural Disasters guide.