Getting through a hurricane is often about more than just waiting for the wind and rain to die down and any flood water to recede. Hurricanes can leave a lot of damage in their wake, necessitating cleaning. Many people are understandably eager to return their homes to normal, which is why they begin the cleanup process themselves. However, if you aren't careful, you can injure yourself or cause further damage to your property. Below, we'll highlight the essential precautions you should take when attempting DIY hurricane cleanup, along with signs that you should leave the cleanup to experts.
Assess the Situation
Before diving into cleanup, you'll want to first assess the situation around you. Make sure there are no immediate threats to your safety, such as downed power lines, gas leaks, or structural damage to your home. If you suspect anything like this, you'll want to contact professionals to handle the danger first before you begin cleaning up. Take a few moments to walk safely around the edge of your property, looking for signs of potential hazards.
If there is nothing on the outside, you can then carefully move inside. Pay attention to any unusual smells, such as the smell of rotten eggs, which could indicate a gas leak. It's also a good idea to purchase a gas leak detector that you can bring with you, as this will alert you if there is an issue.
Use Protective Gear
Once it's safe to begin cleanup on your home, you'll then want to make sure you have the right protective gear. Attempting to clean up debris without safety gear is very hazardous, and you could cause significant harm to yourself or others without it. Some of the necessary items you'll want include:
- An N95 mask.
- Safety goggles.
- Work gloves.
- Waterproof boots.
- Protective clothing.
If you already have these items, carefully inspect them to ensure they're in good shape before putting them on. If you don't already have them, purchase what you need before cleaning up.
Handling Water-Related Issues
After a major storm, water-related issues are very common and require special care during cleanup. Rainwater can get in from broken windows or damage to roofs. In the event of storm surge, floodwaters can do enormous damage and contain sewage, chemicals, or other hazardous materials. It's a good idea to treat any standing water as potentially contaminated. Make sure you're wearing protective gear before entering standing water. Also make sure that your electricity is off if your home did have water intrusion. After that, use a wet/dry vacuum or a water pump to remove any remaining water from your home.
Debris Removal
The next major component of DIY hurricane cleanup is debris removal. You may have debris strewn across your property or damaged items within your home. As you're removing debris, be aware of sharp edges that could cause injury. For heavy items, be sure that you're using proper lifting techniques.
Protective gear is also essential during the debris removal process. Work gloves will protect your hands, while a face mask can guard against dangerous materials like asbestos. Finally, if needed, grab some tools that can help with the debris removal process, such as a hand truck. You may also need to break up larger pieces of debris using a saw or similar tool or ask for assistance with moving heavier items.
Preventing Mold Growth
Mold can begin to grow in as few as 24 hours after floodwater enters your home, especially in Southwest Florida where the humidity is high year-round. Mold growth is very dangerous and can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma attacks. It can also weaken the structure of your home over time, leading to expensive repairs.
The best way to prevent mold growth is to start drying out the wet areas as soon as possible. Open your windows and doors to improve ventilation, then set up fans, ventilators, and dehumidifiers to dry out the area faster. If you don't have electricity, as many don't after a hurricane, use generators to power fans if you have any available. Focus on the dampest areas first, such as basements and attics, along with any furniture that soaked up a significant amount of water. Remove carpets and wet furniture and cut away wet drywall and baseboards.
Once everything is reasonably dry, clean and disinfect surfaces. Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent to remove dirt and mold spores from surfaces. Anything that's significantly porous should probably be discarded, as these are harder to clean, and you don't want the mold spores to spread.
Finally, monitor the humidity levels of the area. High humidity leads to mold growth, so you'll want to keep it down. Grab yourself a room humidity sensor so that you can keep an eye on the levels. Aim to keep humidity under 50% as best you can for a week or two following the hurricane.
Know When To Call in the Professionals
Finally, while there are many DIY cleanup jobs you can handle on your own, some are better left to professionals. DIY cleanup, especially after a major storm like a hurricane, can become dangerous. Professionals have the equipment and knowledge necessary to restore your home in a timely manner. If your home requires a lot of cleanup, or if there are safety issues like a gas leak or a strange odor from standing water, you're better off letting professionals handle everything.
Call Clean-up and Restoration Services in Southwest Florida
To restore your home after a hurricane, contact a professional who specializes in hurricane damage. They'll schedule a time to visit your home and begin the cleanup process. After a major hurricane, many homes in the Southwest Florida area need cleanup and restoration services, making it essential that you schedule yours as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that further problems develop within your home, increasing the restoration costs. Get your home back to normal and keep yourself safe by working with a cleanup and restoration service in Southwest Florida today.