Flooding is an unfortunate and unpleasant situation that can strike homes and businesses without warning, leaving a trail of devastation behind. Fortunately, however, with the right equipment and know-how, businesses and homes can recover, indeed, Power Plant Hire has experience in hiring out flood recovery equipment, and has amassed a bit of knowledge when it comes to what is needed to recover a site after flooding. We’ve put this article together to guide you on not only the equipment you need but also some of the steps you should take after your premises have flooded.
Advise your insurance company of the flooding
One of the first steps to take after your property has been flooded is to advise your insurance company. You should only commence flood recovery work after they have given you the go-ahead to do so.
Take photos of the damage before commencing the post-flood clean-up
Before removing anything, it’s advisable to photograph and record all items affected by the flooding, as you may need these for an insurance claim.
Wear appropriate PPE
When touching floodwater or items affected by floodwater, you should always use appropriate PPE, such as protective suits, footwear, and gloves. This is because the flood water itself may well be contaminated and thus contaminate areas it reaches in turn. Contaminates might be anything from oil to sewage, neither of which you want to immerse skin in.
Secure all your electronics
We all know that water and electricity shouldn’t be mixed. As such, one should exercise extreme caution when handling electrical items that have been affected by flooding. A qualified professional should check all electrical items after a flood to confirm if they are safe to continue using or if they require repair. Never attempt these repairs yourself.
Use a pump to remove floodwater
In cases where the floodwater has not subsided naturally, you may need to hire in a pump. At Power Plant Hire, we can provide petrol pumps and electric pumps for flood recovery work. This can be a long job, and some pumps such as the Hilta D5 Diaphram pump can be left running dry on “snore”, which is ideal for use in situations where you need to continue pumping out flood water overnight.
Use a wet and dry vacuum to remove debris
Floodwaters often leave debris in their wake, leaving a damp and soggy mess even after the water itself has left. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner can come into its own here, being capable of removing not only the debris itself but also a certain degree of water depending on how severe the flooding is. Here’s one example of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner.
Remove the moisture from the area using a dehumidifier
While lying floodwater is the most visible and obvious effect of flooding, absorbed moisture and dampness in an area can be quite damaging, too. It can cause rot, mould and an unpleasant smell. This is why dehumidifiers are essential when it comes to flood recovery. Dehumidifiers come in all sorts of sizes and work by removing moisture from the area and mitigating the spread of dampness and mould. It is recommended to leave one running for at least 48 hours to be effective. That being said, they are best used with an air mover, which we shall look at next.
Hire in an Air Mover
Hiring an Air Mover is a relatively fast way to dry out soaked carpets, floors, and wallpaper. For instance, at Power Plant Hire we can provide an easy-to-use air mover which directs air over wet surfaces; in the case of carpets, for example, you simply lift a corner of the carpet, insert the nozzle and turn on the air mover, it will do the rest.
Ensure that the affected area is well-heated after flooding
Heating is essential to adequately drying out dampness from an area after flooding. In cases where the property does not contain central heating of its own, it is well worth hiring a portable heating unit. A space heater may suffice if it’s a small area, but for larger areas, a radiant heater may be more efficient. Power Plant Hire can provide either, and we have an article explaining more about portable heating units here.
Disinfect the flooded area(s) afterwards
As we mentioned earlier in this article, floodwaters can be contaminated by dirt, oil, sewage, and other undesirable elements, so it’s vitally important to thoroughly disinfect areas after the floodwaters have been cleared.
Hopefully, you will never need to follow any of the above steps or use the above equipment, but if you do, know that Power Plant Hire is there ready advise on the best course of action should the unthinkable happen to your home or business. For any queries on flood recovery equipment, please call us on 053 9235003 or email us at sales@powerplant.ie
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