Is your house contaminated after flooding?

Flooding has devastated communities across the nation in recent months, leaving people with the daunting task of cleaning up their flooded basements. But it involves far more than just removing the standing water.

Flood water can possibly contain chemicals, sewage and germs. Not to mention, a wet basement is the perfect environment for mold growth.

“Once the standing water is removed, all of the once submerged items are considered contaminated,” explains Dr. Brian Temple, an infectious disease physician at Aurora Health Care. “Items that don’t absorb water can typically be disinfected and thoroughly dried. Unfortunately, some exposed items pose a health risk if you keep them since they will have soaked up contaminated flood water or have grown mold.”

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends throwing out the following contaminated items:

• Mattresses
• Leather or cloth furniture
• Pillows
• Laminate wood furniture

For items that don’t absorb water, like metal, plastic or glass furniture, start off by rinsing the item with water and then spraying it with a disinfectant. This process will kill microorganisms that could have been lurking in the flood water.

To help speed up the overall drying process in your home, the EPA recommends safely opening windows and doors to encourage air flow and using fans and dehumidifiers.

“If you have a respiratory condition, are immunocompromised or are pregnant, you should avoid flood-impacted areas and have someone else help you with the flood cleanup process,” Dr. Temple says. “Even if you aren’t considered at-risk, it’s best to be cautious and rely on certified cleaning professionals to safely restore your living space. They are educated on what hazards to avoid and what items can be saved so you can return to normalcy as soon as possible.”

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