How Long Does It Take to Extract Water After Flooding?

We live in Texas, where flooding is unfortunately an all-too-common natural disaster. When your home experiences flood damage, you lose more than just your belongings. The structure of your home might be compromised, depending on the extent of the damage, and you’ll have to clean and sanitize everything once the dirty flood waters subside. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin the process of cleaning up after flood damage.

Water extraction takes time...

If your home or basement is flooded, the water cannot be extracted quickly. Only two to three feet of water can be pumped out a day, or else the sudden change in pressure might cause the walls to collapse. Wood floors will need to be dried gradually to avoid warping or buckling, and other types of flooring, such as carpet or vinyl, will need to be removed so the subflooring can dry out.  

Expect the mess...

The water will have left behind a sizeable amount of mud, as well as other contaminants. You’ll need to tackle the mud first, shoveling out as much as possible, and then proceed by hosing down the remains. Next, sanitize everything: glass and ceramic dishes and countertops can be cleaned in a water/bleach mixture, while metal silverware and pots and pans can be sanitized in boiling water.    

Watch out for mold...

Wear a protective mask to avoid breathing in mold spores. If mold and mildew have already developed on some items, clean them outside to prevent the spores from spreading inside. Walls, if soaked by contaminated flood water, will likely need to be removed to avoid health hazards and to ventilate the studs.

Contact your insurance company immediately to find out what they cover. You may want to hire a professional cleaning and restoration company to help with the process. The Steam Team mole remediation is made up of experts who specialize in cleaning up after water damage, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re on call 24/7!