Strategies for Post-Flood Recovery and Storm Damage Cleanup
After a flood or storm, it's essential to take immediate action to protect your health, safety, and home. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean up effectively in Victoria, Australia.
- Notify your insurer immediately to start the claims process, even if you do not yet know the full extent of the damage.
- Document the damage thoroughly with photographs and videos before starting any cleanup or disposal of damaged items. This evidence will be crucial for your insurance claim.
- Secure the property to prevent further damage. Cover broken windows with sturdy materials or put tarps over damaged roofs, and take photos to prove the securing actions.
- Seek insurer approval before cleaning or hiring professionals for repairs. It's important to follow your insurance company's advice to ensure that the cleanup and repairs are covered.
- Carry out emergency repairs to make the home safe and prevent further damage. Remove debris blocking drains, cover broken windows, and tarps roofs if needed. Use qualified tradespeople for hazardous tasks like roof repairs.
- Remove standing water and mud quickly to reduce swelling, warping, and mould growth. Use pumps, shovels for mud, and improve ventilation by opening doors and windows. Industrial fans and dehumidifiers can speed drying.
- Do not discard damaged items before documenting them and, if practical, consult your insurer before disposal, especially for hazardous materials. Discard porous items that can't be properly cleaned, such as mattresses, pillows, and padded furniture.
- Ensure safety before returning to the property by disconnecting power, removing hazards such as fallen trees or broken roof materials, and allowing floodwater to drain off.
Additional resources include guides and emergency support from Victoria’s State Emergency Service (SES), VicEmergency app, and the Country Fire Authority for preparation and post-disaster safety.
These steps are designed to protect health and safety, preserve damage evidence for insurance claims, and minimize further damage requiring costly repairs. Keep in mind that flooding can occur at any time of the year in Victoria, so it's essential to be prepared.
When cleaning up, wear protective clothing, as floodwaters often carry sewage, chemicals, and debris. Leave children with a trusted relative or friend during the cleanup process. Clean everything that floodwater could have touched to remove harmful bacteria, chemicals, and mould spores.
For large mould infestations, call a mould remediation professional. Hire industrial fans, dehumidifiers, and dryers to speed up drying times. Prune or remove unstable or broken trees and branches from your garden and outdoor areas.
Lastly, have electrical items checked by an electrician before using them again after flood or storm damage. Always prioritize safety when cleaning up after a flood or storm.
- To ensure a thorough insurance claim and minimize the risk of mould growth, it's crucial to document any damaged items in your home-and-garden, especially those prone to mould infestation, such as furniture, mattresses, and pillows, in the aftermath of climate-change-related events like floods and storms.
- In the process of restoring your home after a disaster, involve yourself in the environmental-science of creating a safer, healthier home by utilizing methods such as proper ventilation, hiring professionals for mould remediation, and using protective clothing while cleaning to safeguard your lifestyle from potential hazards present in floodwaters.
