Flood Cleanup Checklist

Homeowner: Address: Clothing Required Hip waders - only for working in very wet areas when the water is too high for rubber boots. You should not start cleaning in an area with water so high that you cannot easily access it. These should only be used for preliminary work and positioning pump hoses, etc.. Working in hip waders will not be efficient or effective. Boots: Waterproofed workboots, Rubber Boots, Waterproof winter boots Venitlator masks Work Gloves Safety Glasses / Eye protection Ear plugs Helmet (esp. If working in a flooded basement that still has ceiling tiles, etc.) Head-lamp Long-sleeved shirt Knee-pads (if you are going to be working on your hands and knees) Sun Screen Bug Spray Baseball cap / hat Equipment Required - the more the better Prybar Crowbar Flat spade Shovel - for scooping mud and tearing up tile, etc. Snow Shovel Step Ladder Sledge hammer Hammer Handsaws: hacksaw for metal, variety of wood saws Ice Scraper (e.g. For a driveway) - flat & SHARP blade on a long wooden handle. Good for tearing up tiles, pulling down drywall in high areas Buckets with handles for hauling garbage out - small, medium, and large. You might want to punch some holes in the bottoms to let water flow out Tin-snips (for cutting metal edging on drywall) Chisel Adjustable wrench Channel lock pliers Containers / bins with lids - these will be used for washing and saving things Garbage Bags If you have power and ONLY if you are working in an area that is dry Pumps

Fans Sawz-all Saw - with blades for "everything", wood, and metal Power Drill / Bits Heavy duty emergency lights / work light Also ... Food and water, and lots of it. (with a dry place to store it) Hand sanitizer and washing materials Get a tetanus shot, and ensure that people are aware of looking after cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds. Clean and care for wounds immediately. If you are concerned about your wound, seek medical attention, or call Health Link Alberta at 1.866.408.5465.

Checklist

NOTE 1 - Some of these activities you will not be able to do in the order shown, due to flood waters restricting access, due to construction methods in your home, etc.. Continually return to the list to check things off. NOTE 2 - You will have to repeat relevant items on this workplan for each floor, including your garage, and any other buildings or sheds on your property. NOTE 2 - You will have to repeat relevant items on this workplan for each floor, including your garage, and any other buildings or sheds on your property. NOTE 4 - Be aware to watch for pre-existing mould that you may not have known of (e.g. Behind drywall). If it is extensive, you may need professional help. NOTE 5 - DO NOT run generators or gas-powered equipment indoors. These can kill you with fumes. NOTE 6 - DO NOT use electrical equipment in wet areas. Electricity and water do not mix and you can be killed! NOTE 7 - Drag or slide heavy things, don't lift them. Look after your self! Activity Read materials on the Alberta Health Services site - e.g. "RETURNING HOME SAFELY AFTER FLOODING" http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/Advisories/ne-pha-ahs-flooding-kit.pdf. Make sure people read this before they start work on your house. Take care of yourself, your family, and your friends. Read about mental health at: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/MentalHealthWellness/hi-mh-helping-children-andteens-recover-from-a-disaster-or-emergency.pdf, and http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/MentalHealthWellness/hi-mh-recovery-after-adisaster-or-emergency.pdf Call your insurance company and start the process of a claim. Getting denied for a claim will often help smooth the process of accessing government money.

Apply for help - provincial, city, etc.. Start at: http://www.aema.alberta.ca/

Contact a contractor to do the remediation work. Remember, everyone is looking for one now. Get one ASAP. Get a good one too, and be wise when paying. Contact the BBB for more good ideas. Contact a plumber and electrician. You may not know what to ask them for yet, but try to get someone who can help you when you need it. For instance, you will need a plumber to ensure your floor drains are cleared and primed ASAP. This will help you to clean your house and to keep odor from coming back into your house. Look for a long-term place to stay. Depending on your situation, you may need a rental or even to consider options like buying another place.

Ensure that you gas has been shut-off by the City / Gas Company

Ensure that you power has been shut-off by the City / Power Company

When you can access it safely, shut-off gas at the main shutoff

When you can access it safely, shut-off power at the main shutoff

What is the insulation? If Asbestos, DO NOT remove any drywall or insulation. Consult a contractor or engineer. Homes built or renovated in the 1980s are most likely to have asbestos insulation. Immediately locate firearms, ammunition, or other dangerous items and ensure the safe and legal storage of those.

Establish high water line and draw a line 6-12 inches above that. Virtually everything will need to be removed below that line. NOTE: Depending on the water damage, and how long the water has been sitting, you may need to go higher. The drywall and insulation behind it will easily wick the water up substantially higher than the flood-line. Ceilings may even be affected, as the water can be wicked up and around corners.

Take pictures of the damage ("before" pictures)

Take pictures of all damaged valuables (e.g. Appliances, art, etc.) throughout the clean-up

Define a pile for garbage

Define a pile for chemicals, paint, and other dangerous items. (These cannot be thrown out with the rest of the garbage)

Define a pile for things to be cleaned and saved - e.g. Jewelry, non-porous items, tools, dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, important papers (e.g. Passports), heirloom pictures, etc.. NOTE: You will need to get professional advice on cleaning most items. You will also want to set up a "cleaning station" near this spot, with good drainage, to start the cleaning process. Pump out all water you can with a pump. Do not use a gas-powered pump indoors or a generator indoors. Be very cautious if using an electric pump. Stay safe. Avoid gas poisoning from carbon monoxide and electrocution. Shovel out all the mud (carry it out in buckets - many small and light loads are easier and safer than heavy loads).

Shop-Vac / Wet-Dry Shop-Vac the mud and remaining water. You will need to do this several times throughout the clean-up, for instance after the walls are removed, and afer the floor is removed. Determine if you have working water, and if it is potable. You will probably not want to drink this water - bottled water from a clean source is best. The water in your area can become contaminated, and even faucets, etc. should be considered contaminated. Attach a hose to a tap for spraying down and washing items that are salvageable. Remove all shelving, built-in cabinets, etc. that are in the way of getting to the framing.

In affected areas, remove all doors and door frames

In affected areas, remove all baseboards and trim

Consider removing the hot-water tank if you can do it safely (e.g. Gas is off, gas can be easily disconnected, water is off and can be easily disconnected).

Consider removing the furnace. NOTE - It might be possible that the furnace can be salvaged by replacing some parts. So, you may want to leave it in place. If possible have it evaluated ASAP. Remove all drywall below the marked line. Score the marked line with a carpet knife. Check that the drywall is really dry above that line. If it isn't try up another six inches and remark your line if necessary. Continue until you find hard drywall. If in doubt, take it out. Use a crow-bar / pry-bar and carpet knife to remove it quickly. Fill buckets and have a bucket brigade moving them out (many small, light loads is better than big & heavy as it reduces the chance of injury). NOTE: If you can round-up to the 4ft or 8ft or 9ft mark when you cut, it will be easier, quicker, and likely cheaper to replace the dry-wall. Cut and remove the vapour barrier (plastic behind the drywall and overtop of the framing). If there is a short vapour barrier at the bottom of the framing that comes up (612 inches), pull it away from the framing, but leave it in place. If the vapour barrier is wide enough, drop it onto the floor. You can use it to catch and dispose of some insulation. Remove all wet insulation at least to the marked line. You may have to go higher as insulation will wick and absorb the water upwards. If in doubt, take it out. Fill buckets and have a bucket brigade moving them out (many small, light loads is better than big & heavy as it reduces the chance of injury). Don't waste time on inexpensive items - throw them out.

Remove all appliances. Note: there is a very, very, very small chance that any appliance can be saved. Electric motors will be ruined, insulation will be soaked with contaminated water, components will have rusted etc. Best to throw them out. Note: Watch out for water lines that are connected to fridges with ice makers or coffee makers. Ensure water to the appliance is off before you remove this! If you can't find the shut-off valve, pull the fridge away from the wall, and work around it. Remove all wet furniture. Note: there is very little furniture that can be saved other than potentially hardwood furniture that can be cleaned and dried. It will likely warp in any event. All fibre-board or particle board material (e.g. most shelving units, bed frames, dressers, etc.) should be broken up and thrown out). All upholstered furniture should simplyl be disposed. Consider breaking or cutting the furniture and moving it in several lighter loads rather than one big, wet, and heavy load.

Any furniture you deem "salvagable" should be cleaned and disinfected ASAP. Place it where it can get good ventilation, but not directly in the sun. Leave drawers or other movable parts open but in place. Get professional advice on salvaging these ASAP. Throw out paper, magazines, books, etc. Pay attention for valuable papers like passports, insurance, or family papers or pictures that you may want to try to preserve. Take a good and clear picture of these items ASAP, so that if they get lost in the shuffle or thrown out, you will have them! Also - you may want to check with a lawyer about notarizing documents to preseve them. If you cannot take time to clean paper items properly, wrap them in freezer bags, clean the outside of the bag carefully, and freeze them ASAP. (But never with food). Remove and throw out mattresses and box-springs that have been in contact with the water. Remember one will wick water from the other. If the box-spring is wet, throw out the matress too. These items can be VERY heavy. Remove all wet rugs. Cut them into small chunks (e.g. 2ft x 4ft) that can be rolled and carried easily. Again, light loads are easier to manage and reduce the chance of injury. NOTE: You must dispose of all rugs and carpets. Only for VERY VALUABLE rugs should you even consider saving them. Consult a cleaner ASAP. Remove all wet carpets, backing, and cat-track. Cut them into small chunks (e.g. 2ft x 4ft) that can be rolled and carried easily. Again, light loads are easier to manage and reduce the chance of injury. Also - you may need to pull out nails or tacks in the floor to reduce the risk of injury. Remove all tiles and linoleum or other types of flooring. Water, bacteria, and mould can start growing underneath these quickly. Plus, the floor is more likely to buckle. Get rid of the floor covering to prevent future headaches. Throw-out all food from fridges and freezers that have been without power and / or underwater. If in doubt, throw it out. Use many small garbage bags to reduce the weight and make moving the garbage easier. Throw-out any and all food that was below water or close to the water line. If in doubt, throw it out. This includes anything in cardboard or paper containers, plastic bags, cloth bags, etc., and bottles or jars. Also, this includes screw-caps, snap lids and crimed caps (soda-pop or beer). Use many small garbage bags to reduce the weight and make moving the garbage easier. You may keep canned food only. The can must be undamaged. Remove the label and scrub it with soap and a brush (esp. the rim and caps). Then soak it in a solution of bleach and water. Remove the label before soaking and relabel it including expiry date with a marker after it is washed and dried. Throw-out all medicines, cosmetics, and other toileteries that have come in contact with water.

For wine collections, and similar that has been underwater, wash the bottles immediately, and get the advice of a high-end wine store like Willow Park Wines and Spirits.

Throw-out all small appliances and electrical tools that have been in contact with the flood water. There is a very remote chance that any will be worth saving. Best to throw them out. Throw-out pillows, sleeping bags, and fluffy bedding like duvets and comforters of any description.

Clothing, linens and bedding may be salvageable. Wools, silks, and some decorative cottons cannot be salvaged. They are garbage. Salvaged materials will not ever be the same as they were. Don't waste time making decisions about what to keep and what to toss. For things you want to keep, get the opinion of a professional cleaner right away or wash them in cold water with bleach - several times and separately from other clothes. Also - the cost of washing clothes may be much higher than replacing them. Throw out all lamps and fixtures that have been wet. For very valuable lights you may want to consider saving them and clean them later.

Remove and dispose of light bulbs - water can be trapped under them and cause a small electrical problem when you turn them on.

Clean all board, particleboard, or plywood floors. Disinfect and dry them. Pay special attention to cracks. (Note - you may need to eventually replace this wood - before your remediation, but get it clean now). Clean it up: Thoroughly clean all interior wall cavities, cupboards, and surfaces, using soap and water. Do NOT only clean up the affected surfaces, clean them all.

Sanitize: Thoroughly sanitize all surfaces, including ceilings, using a mild bleach solution (one tablespoon of bleach to four litres of water).

Disinfect all dry areas of the house to prevent the spread of dangerous microbes.

Equipment Required Type of Worker Web access Homeowner

Team / Worker Names

Done?

Web access

Homeowner

q q q

Web access, Insurance Agent's phone number, phone, note paper and a pen

Homeowner

Web access, Homeowner notepaper and a pen.

Web access and a Homeowner phone, notepaper and a pen. Web access and a Homeowner phone, notepaper and a pen.

q q q q q q q q q q q

Web access and a Homeowner phone, notepaper and a pen. Homeowner

Homeowner

Homeowner

Homeowner

Homeowner

Homeowner

Pencil / Marker

Homeowner

Camera

Homeowner

Camera

Homeowner

Stakes / tarps and signs

Homeowner

Stakes / tarps and signs

Homeowner

Stakes / tarps and signs

Homeowner

q q q q q q q q q q q

Electric Pump, Homeowner / Pump Electricity, Generator, owner Hand Pump, Buckets Heavy broom, Shovels X-Strong Muscle & and buckets Muscle

Heavy broom, WetDry Shop Vac and power Hose, Sprayer head, buckets

Muscle

Light work

Prybar, crowbar, hammer, hand-saw, sledgehammer Prybar, hammer, crowbar

X-Strong Muscle

Muscle

Prybar, hammer, crowbar

Light work

Pliers, hack saw

X-Strong Muscle

Pliers, hack saw

X-Strong Muscle

Drywall / Carpet knife, Muscle prybar, crowbar, hammer, metal cutters

q q q q q q q q q

Carpet knife

Light work

Rubber Gloves, ventilation mask

Light work

Wrench / pliers, appliance dolly

X-Strong Muscle

Heavy-duty hand-saw, X-Strong Muscle & crowbar, hammer, Muscle sledge-hammer, sawzall and electricity

Buckets, Water, Light work Disinfectant soap, brush, bleach, gloves, towels, etc. Freezer bags, Freezer, Muscle camera and a big memory card

q q q q q q q q q q

X-Strong Muscle & Muscle

Prybar, carpet knife

Muscle

Prybar, carpet knife

Muscle

Sledge hammer, Muscle crowbar, hammer, ice scraper, safety glasses Garbage Bags Light work

Garbage Bags

Light work

Buckets, Water, Light work Disinfectant soap, brush, bleach, gloves, towels, etc. Garbage Bags Light work

Buckets, Water, Light work Disinfectant soap, brush, bleach, gloves, towels, etc. Light work

Muscle

Muscle

q q q q q q q q q q

Light work

Light work

Buckets, Water, Disinfectant soap, brush, bleach, gloves, towels, etc. Buckets, Water, Disinfectant soap, brush, bleach, gloves, towels, etc. Buckets, Water, Disinfectant soap, brush, bleach, gloves, towels, etc. Buckets, Water, Disinfectant soap, brush, bleach, gloves, towels, etc.

Light work

Light work

Light work

Light work