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[I556]It Disaster Recovery Template

by Ben Anton, Ben

The days immediately following a flood are the most crucial to the potential for recovering any personal property that may be damaged by the floodwaters. Hurried recovery tactics, however, can lead to further damage of your property and potential harm to yourself and your loved ones. To recover from a flood safely and affectively:

1. Determine the type of flood experienced
2. Assess the damage that has occurred
3. Determine the safest way to salvage belongings

Determine The Type of Flood Experienced
Floods vary by origin and damage. Floods can develop slowly and take days to reach their final peak. Flash floods, on the other hand, come about within a matter of minutes from seemingly nowhere, typically caused by a surge in rainfall in dry areas. Floods that occur near a defined lake or river are called overland floods and are often weather related. Levee and dam breaks can also create flooded areas.

Stagnant floodwaters can be contaminated by oils, fuels or sewage. If the flood is accompanied by a hurricane, earthquake or severe storm, downed power lines can also electrically charge the water making it entirely unsafe. Also, be wary of any wild animals in post-flood areas. Experts recommend residents avoid all areas with remaining floodwater until it recedes and never enter moving floodwater as it can very easily cause a loss of footing.

Dry areas may also be potentially dangerous after a flood, depending on the severity. Floodwaters can erode roads and walkways, making them dangerous to traverse. Buildings can also be damaged.

Assess the Damage That Has Occurred
Never immediately enter your home or office after a flood - the floors and stairs may have sustained damage and may no longer be safe. Instead, walk a safe distance around your home's foundation and check for loose or downed power lines, gas leaks, structural damage, and any other potentially dangers. Call a qualified building inspector or structural engineer if you suspect your building has sustained any dangerous flood damage.

Once it has been determined that entering your home or office building is safe, the next step is to assess the damage sustained to your valuables and personal belongings. Not all damage means utter ruin. Water damaged photos, books or documents may not necessarily need to be thrown out. Proper document recovery techniques and document restoration companies can help you stem the loss of your most beloved belongings. Seek out a professional to help you determine if any of your essential materials can be saved, even if you believe them to be beyond repair. Quick response and attention to important pieces may make the difference in its potential for restoration.

Determine The Safest Way To Salvage Belongings
A dedicated document restoration service will be able to help you determine the best system for saving your belongings. Many believe that the best technique for recovering your water-damaged personal effects is the desiccant air dry distribution system. Not all companies offer this recovery service. The desiccant air dry technique is an energy-efficient and safe way of removing moisture from the air surrounding your belongings, allowing the water that is trapped inside them to evaporate quickly and harmlessly.

When looking for a restoration specialists make sure the system they use completely dries the materials. Mold damage can occur long after a flood if valuables are not completely dry before they are returned.

Simple steps taken in the first few days after a flood can make a big difference in the long-term detriment the waters cause a family, home or office.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Indoor and outdoor molds and fungi are present at harmless levels nearly everywhere we go. Mold growth levels can rise to unsafe and harmful amounts after a water-related disaster. Nearly all building materials, documents, appliances and furniture are susceptible to mold growth. The longer they are allowed to linger, the higher the potential for health risks to those that are around it. It is therefore important to understand when and how to best clean mold damage.

Should You Do It Yourself?

Step one in mold clean-up is determining whether it is something you should take on yourself. Mold patches of about 10 square feet or less can usually be handled without calling a professional mold removal company. Professional services should be called to tackle mold growth that has occurred after a water-related disaster that may involve polluted water or mold that has gotten into a heating/cooling/air ventilation system.

Mold Clean-Up Preparation

If the mold damage is something you can handle yourself, it is important to collect the proper clothing and supplies before getting started. In order to avoid breathing in mold and mold spores which can cause respiratory problems, have a respirator available that you can wear. You will also want a strong pair of long rubber gloves that can handle strong cleaning agents like bleach. Mold and mold-infested items should not be touched with your bare hands as they can lead to sickness and further infestations. Goggles are also recommended so that splatter from cleaning agents on moldy services will not get into your eyes.

The final thing to do before starting clean-up is verify that all of the water problems are fixed. If you are still fixing bad plumbing, leaking appliances, or running sinks wait until they are fixed before getting started (and get those things fixed quickly). Otherwise, the mold will likely come back because of the constantly high humidity and sitting water. If you are cleaning after flooding, do your best to confirm that the water is receding and that clean-up is recommended.

Mold Clean-Up

Use a chlorine or detergent and water mixture on your problem areas. A hard bristle scrubbing brush is a good weapon against stubborn mold. Unfortunately, some porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy because cleaning cannot fully get into the crevices where mold will flourish. Carpets, mattresses, ceiling tiles are quite difficult to clean; you'll save yourself a lot of time and energy by simply replacing them.

Mold does cause cosmetic damage. Even though you might remove all the spores and fungi, there may still be some dark stains that remain. A professional restoration service may be able to do a more thoroughly cleaning if you have items that you must have restored to perfection. Some specialists can help you get that couch or rug looking close to new again. There are companies that specialize in mold removal using dehumidifying techniques that remove excess moisture in the problem areas.

Mold Prevention

The best way to fix a mold problem is take measures to prevent mold growth from the start. Act quickly if you notice a leak or water spill. Cleaning and repairing roof gutters and air-conditioning drip pans will also help prevent mold growth.

Humidity is a big contributor to mold growth. Make sure windows are properly sealed and dry any surfaces you notice moisture collecting. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers will lower humidity levels and are available at many hardware stores. For areas where humidity is common, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is a good idea to run exhaust fans and keep the windows open until the room is dry again.

Mold removal is not the most pleasant cleaning project but with some careful planning, the right tools, or a quick phone call, you can have it remedied easily.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Article Source : Plan Toys My First Dollhouse

Ben Anton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Software, Home and Writing. Rapid Refile specializes in mold removal and salvage projects. Visit the website to read the rest of this article and find. Ben Anton's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.