FACTSHEET

CLEANING UP AFTER
THE FLOOD

A GUIDE FOR HOMEOWNERS

PopulationHealthBranch18006677766www.health.gov.sk.ca
3475AlbertStreet(306)7870146HealthLine1877800000
Regina,SKS4S0G6

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Foreword................................................................................................................................................4
Insurance................................................................................................................................................4
BeforeCleaningup ................................................................................................................................4
CheckNaturalGasandPropane ...........................................................................................................4
CheckElectricalSystems .......................................................................................................................5
CheckBuildingStructure ......................................................................................................................5
ObtainDrinkingWater ..........................................................................................................................6
FirstSteps ...............................................................................................................................................6
GeneralCleanupandDisinfection ........................................................................................................6
General ...................................................................................................................................................6
Contractors ............................................................................................................................................7
Disinfectants ..........................................................................................................................................7
Equipment .............................................................................................................................................8
Cleaning .................................................................................................................................................9
Food .......................................................................................................................................................9
CosmeticsandMedicines ......................................................................................................................9
WallsandFloors ....................................................................................................................................9
Ceilings ................................................................................................................................................10
DoorsandWindows ............................................................................................................................11
WoodenFurniture ...............................................................................................................................11
Upholstery ...........................................................................................................................................11
RugsandCarpets .................................................................................................................................11
DishesandUtensils .............................................................................................................................12
ClothingandBedding..........................................................................................................................12
Leather .................................................................................................................................................12
Books,DocumentsandPaperGoods ..................................................................................................12
Photographs .........................................................................................................................................13
FramedArtwork ..................................................................................................................................13
Toys ......................................................................................................................................................13
Sandboxes ............................................................................................................................................13
OtherEquipmentandAppliances .......................................................................................................13
Telephone ............................................................................................................................................14
Yard......................................................................................................................................................14
HeatingSystems ..................................................................................................................................14
General .................................................................................................................................................14
GasFurnaces ........................................................................................................................................14

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CoalandWoodBurningSystems .......................................................................................................15
WaterHeaters ......................................................................................................................................15
WaterandSewerSystems ...................................................................................................................15
HomePlumbing...................................................................................................................................15
WaterTreatmentDevices ....................................................................................................................15
PublicWaterSystems ..........................................................................................................................15
PrivateWaterSystems .........................................................................................................................15
Cisterns ................................................................................................................................................15
Wells ....................................................................................................................................................16
DugoutsandDams ..............................................................................................................................17
PrivateSewageSystem ........................................................................................................................17
SepticTanks .........................................................................................................................................17
DrainField ...........................................................................................................................................18
ReturningtoHome ..............................................................................................................................18
Followup .............................................................................................................................................19
References ............................................................................................................................................20

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Foreword
Afloodedbasementpresentshazardsthatrequirespecialprecautions.Floodwatermaybehighly
contaminatedwithdiseaseorganismsfromrawsewageandotherpollutantsthatcanposeaseriousdanger
tohealth.Electricalsystems,gassystems,andappliancesmaybeaffectedbytheflooding,creatingthe
possibilityofelectricalshockorexplosion.Ceilingandwallstructuresmaybeweakenedbywaterdamage
tothepointofdanger.Mouldandmildewresultingfromthedampnessmayalsocausehealthproblems.

Theinformationinthisbookletservesasaguideforpeoplecleaninguphomesthathavebeenflooded.
Propercleanupwillhelppreventthedangersofcontamination.

Responsibilityforinterpretationofthecontentofthisfactsheetrestswiththeuser.Informationinthisfact
sheetisprovidedsolelyfortheusersinformationand,whilethoughttobeaccurate,isprovidedstrictlyas
isandwithoutwarrantyofanykind,eitherexpressorimplied.TheProvinceofSaskatchewanhereby
disclaimsanyliabilityorresponsibilityforanyinjuryordamageresultingfromtheuse,directlyor
indirectly,oftheinformationcontainedherein.

Insurance
Ifyoumustdiscardanyitemsasaresultofcontaminationandyouareclaimingthesegoodsunderan
insurancepolicy,obtainpermissiontodosofromyouradjusterbeforediscardingthem.Otherwiseyour
claimmaynotbehonoured.Contactyouragentorbrokerassoonaspossible.

Itmaybehelpfultophotographanydamageaswellasdocumentandphotographanydamagedor
disposedofproperty.Itisrecommendedthatarecordofallinvoicesandreceiptsbekepttogetherwitha
logofallfloodrelatedactivities,suchastimespentcleaningup.

BeforeCleaningup
CheckNaturalGasandPropane
Useaflashlightfortheinitialinspection.Donotstrikeamatchoruseanopenflameunlessyouknowthat
thegashasbeenturnedoffandtheareahasbeenventilated.Ifyourhomehasgasappliancesoragas
furnacethatmayhavebeenflooded,ensurethatthegasisshutoffbeforeenteringthehome.

Iftheodourofgasispresent,donottouchanyelectricalfixturesorswitches(includingtelephones),to
preventasparkfromignitingthegas.Leavethepremisesimmediately,leavingdoorsopentoventilatethe
area.Contactlocalutilitiesimmediatelyforinstructionsorassistance.

Naturalgasandpropaneappliancesandheatingequipmentshouldnotbeuseduntilaqualified
servicemancheckstheentiresystem.

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CheckElectricalSystems
Ifanelectricalsystemhasbeenflooded,youshouldnotentertheareauntilthepowerisdisconnected.Stay
awayfromdownedpowerlinesaswatercantravelmorethan30m(100ft)throughwater.

Mainbreakerswitchesshouldbeturnedoff.(Itissuggestedthatnonconductiveitems,suchasrubber
glovesand/ordryclothing,beutilizedforturningpoweroff).Electricalpowershouldnotbeturnedback
onuntilaqualifiedelectricianhascheckedtheentiresystemforelectricalhazards,suchasdamagedorwet
wiring.Iftheelectricalpanelwassubmerged,haveaqualifiedelectricianreplaceallcircuitbreakers.

Beforeapplianceswithelectricalheatingelementsorcontrolsareused,anelectricianshouldcheckthem.

Beforeusingmotordrivenappliances,ensurethatmotorcomponentshavebeenthoroughlycleanedand
dried.Aqualifiedservicemanmustreplacesoakedinsulationinovens,refrigerators,andfreezers.

Electricoutletboxes,wiring,andsocketsshouldbechecked,cleaned,anddried.Makesurethatthepower
supplyisturnedoffbeforeworkingonoutletsandfixtures.

ConsultwithSaskPower,ifyourequireassistance.

CheckBuildingStructure
Beforeenteringthehousecompleteaperimetercheckofyourhouseandcheckforstructuraldamageor
weaknessesthatcouldhavebeencausedbytheflood.Payparticularattentiontothefoundationandthe
supportsforporchroofsandoverhangs.Ifanysignificantdamageisnoted,contactabuildinginspectoror
structuralengineerforadvice.

Becarefulwhenenteringthebuilding.Adoorstickingatthetopmayindicatethattheceilingisreadyto
fall.

Iftheceilingissagging,dothefollowingbeforeentering:
Makeapokerbyattachingasharpobjecttotheendofalongstick(e.g.anailonabroomhandle).
Standawayfromthesag(inadoorwayisthesafest).Pokeaholeintheedgeofthesag.Donot
startatthecenterbecausetheceilingcancollapsesuddenly.
Afterthewaterdrains,pokeanotherholelowerdownthesag.Repeatthisprocessuntilallthe
waterhasbeendrained.
Teardownthesaggingceilingwithextremecaution,astheceilingcanbeveryheavy.

Checkyourhomecarefullyforsnakes,rodentsandothersmallanimalsforcedinbythefloodwaters.
Cautionshouldbeusedwhenpumpingoutthebasement.Floodwatershouldnotbeentered,inparticular
iftheelectricityhasnotbeendisconnected.Eartharoundthebasement,whichissaturatedwithwater,may
causethewallstocollapse.Cavinginoffoundationwallsmayrupturegaslinesandunderground
electricalwiring.

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ObtainDrinkingWater
Watermustbeboiledorpurifiedbeforeuseuntilfloodedandcontaminatedwells,cistern,dugoutsand
damshavebeentreatedandwatersamplesanalyzed.Untilwellandcisternwaterismadesafe,three
optionsareavailable.

1. Obtainwaterfromanothersourcethatisknowntobesafe,suchasbottledwater.
2. Keepthewaterataroilingboilforoneminute.Ensurethatthewaterhascooledbeforeconsuming.
3. Chlorination:Disinfecttheavailablewateraccordingto8dropsofregularunscentedchlorine
bleachforevery4.5liters(1gallon)ofclearwater.Add16dropsofchlorinebleachifthewateris
cloudy.Allowthewatertostandfor30minutes.Aslightchlorinetasteshouldbepresent.Ifnot,
repeatthedosageandallowstandingforanother30minutes.

HomefiltersandtreatmentsystemsareNOTalwayssufficienttoproducesafewatersuchasmanytypesof
thefollowing:
Cartridgefilters(undersinkorpointofentryintothehome).
Anycarbonfiltersystem(undersinkorpointofentryorwaterjuginsert).
Manyotherpointofuseorpointofentrytreatmentunits.

Atreatmentunitshouldcarryanappropriatecertificationfortheremovalofthecontaminantsofconcern,
suchasNSF53forcystreductionaswellasNSF55ClassAforultravioletdisinfection.NSFProtocolP231
isanothervalidcertificationundersomeconditions.

NSF42,44,61and177certificationsdonotindicateasystemthatissufficientfortreatingcontaminated
water.

FirstSteps
1. Rescuethemostvaluableitemsfirst.
2. Protectyourhomefromfurtherdamage.
a. Getfreshairmovingthroughthehomebyleavingthedoorsandwindowsopen(weather
permitting).
b. Patchholesintheroof,wallsorwindowstopreventthefurtherentryofrainwater.
c. Repairsaggingfloorsorroofsections.
d. Removedebris.
e. Checkforbrokenorleakingwaterpipesbyshuttingoffalltapsandthencheckingthewater
metertoseeifwaterisflowingthroughit.
3. Carefullydrainthebasement,ifrequired.

GeneralCleanupandDisinfectionGeneral
Whenitissafetoreenteryourhome,slowlypumpordrainallwaterfromthebasement.Ifthewaterhas
beenstandingforsometime,isvisiblycloudy,and/orhasafoulsmell,itislikelypollutedandrequires
urgenttreatmentandremoval.Twolitersofliquidchlorinecanbeaddedtoanystandingwaterinthe
house.Thebleachshouldbestirredinasmuchaspossible.

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Thisshouldberepeatedeveryfourdaysforaslongasthewaterremains.Inordertopreventthewalls
fromcrackingorbuckling,youmustlowerthewaterlevelslowly.Usingapump,lowerthewaterlevelby
approximately1meter.Markthelevelandwaitovernight.Ifthewaterhasrisenandcoveredthemark,it
istooearlytodrainthehouseandyoushouldwait24hoursbeforetryingagain.Whenthelevelsstop
goingup,drainthestandingwaterinstages,removingabout1/3rdoftheoriginalvolumeeachday.Use
cautionandneverenterabasementwithstandingwaterunlesscertainthattheelectricityhasbeenshutoff.

Checkyourhomeforsignsofdamage,brokenglassanddebris.Allareasandcontentscontaminatedby
thefloodwatermustbethoroughlycleanedanddisinfected.Alldebris,mud,siltandfilthmustbe
removed.

Flooddebrismustbetreatedaspotentiallydangerouswasteandshouldbedisposedofimmediatelyina
sanitarymanner.(i.e.:Youcandoublebagitinplasticgarbagebagsandtakeittoawastedisposalsite).
Avoiddirectskincontactwithcontaminatedmaterialbywearingrubberglovesandotherprotective
material.Besuretowashthoroughlypriortoeatingorsmokingandchangeallouterclothingbefore
enteringacleanresidence.

Floodedsurfacesshouldbecleanedwithagooddetergentandthenrinsedwithadisinfectantsolution.
(SeesectiononDisinfectants).

Keepsmallchildren,pregnantwomenandpeoplewithhealthproblemsawayfromthefloodedareauntil
thecleanupiscomplete.Rememberthatmanyofthecleaninganddisinfectingsolutionsarepoisonous,so
besuretoreadandfollowthelabelsinstructions.Keepallchemicalproductsawayfromchildren.

Ingeneralstartatthetopandworkyourwaydown.Delaypaintingandredecoratinguntileverythingis
completelydryoranyeffortsmaybewasted.Remember:WHENINDOUBT,THROWITOUT!

Keepinmindthatrebuildingmayrequireabuildingorplumbingpermit.Contactyourlocalauthorityto
determinewhetherthisisthecase.

Contractors
Ifacontractorishired,besurethattheyarequalifiedtodothejob.Askforreferencesandcheckthemout.
Besuretogetatleastthreewrittenquotesthatoutlinetheworktobedone,thetotalcostandthestarting
andendingdates.Donotmakefinalpaymentsuntilallworkiscompletedtoyoursatisfaction.

Disinfectants
Thefollowingdisinfectantsmaybeusedtosanitizecontaminatedsurfaces:

1. ChlorineBleach(i.e.:Javex,HTH)plainandunscented.
1literofhouseholdbleachto4litersofwarmwater.Donotusebleachonlinoleumoraluminum.
2. QuaternaryAmmoniumBasedDisinfectants(i.e.:Roccal,Germicide).
3. Borax(5%to10%)mixedwithdishwashingdetergent.Inparticular,thiscanbeusedonwooden
surfacesthatwouldbedamagedbyachlorinesolution.

Theseproductsshouldbedilutedwithwateraccordingtoproductlabeldirections.NEVERmixbleach
withammoniasincethefumesproducedwhenmixedaretoxic.
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Cautionshouldbeusedwhenusingbleachinanareathathasbeencleanedwithotherproducts.Make
suretheareahasbeenthoroughlycleanedwithuncontaminatedwaterpriortoapplyingableach
disinfectant.Hazardousfumesmayresultifadequaterinsingdoesnotoccur.Thisisalsoaconcernif
anotherproductisusedinanareathathasrecentlybeenbleached.

Besuretotestallmaterialsthatwillbedisinfectedtobesurethatthecleaningsolutiondoesnotdamage
thesurface.

Equipment
Youmayfindthatequipmentsuchasscrapers,shovels,brooms,andagardenhoseareusefulfortheinitial
cleanup.Inaddition,thefollowingequipmentandsuppliesshouldbeassembled:
rubbergloves,masks(N95respiratorsifmouldislikelytobepresent),hardhatandotherprotective
gear;
pails,mops,squeegeesandplasticgarbagebags;
nonammoniacleaningdetergent(suchasnonsudsinghouseholdcleaner,laundrysoapor
detergent);
disinfectant(householddisinfectantandsanitizerssuchasquaternary,phenolic,orpineoil
disinfectantordilutedbleach);
mildewremovingproducts(householdmildewremoverormildewcide;or75mlofwashingsoda
orTrisodiumphosphate(TSP)in4.5litersofwater);
youmayalsoneedtorentextensioncords,submersiblepumps,wet/dryvacuumsand
dehumidifiersorheaters;
largecontainersforsoakingbeddingandclothing,andlinestohangthemontodry;
flashlight;
cameraorvideocamera;
crowbar,hammer,saw,etc.;
rubberbootsorwaders;
firstaidkit;
drinkingwater.

Donotusegaspoweredgenerators,campingstovesorcharcoalbarbecuesindoors.Thefumesare
hazardousandoftenunnoticeableuntilanindividualfallsunconscious.Ifimmediatemedicalattentionis
notreceived,thismayresultinthedeathoftheindividual.

Ifageneratorisneededtosupplypower,ensurethatitislocated:
outside;and
asfarawayfrombuildingsaspossible.

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Ageneratorshouldnotbelocated:
nearawindow;
inyourhouse;
betweenbuildingsthatareclosetogether;
inagarage;
onabalcony;
inacarport.

Cleaning
Keeptheareasthatarebeingcleanedwellventilatedascleaningproductscanaffectthelungsandskin.

Food
Becausefloodwatersmaycarrydiseasefromsewage,theonlysafefloodexposedfoodsarethoseinsealed
metalcans.Vacuumpackedfoodshouldbediscardedduetodifficultyincleaningthepackaging.Throw
outdentedordamagedcansastheymightcontainleaks.

Thoroughlyclean,disinfect,anddrytheoutsideoftheundamagedcans.

Allbottlesorcontainersoffoodwithscrewtoplidsthathavebeenfloodedshouldbediscarded.Foodthat
hascomeintocontactwithcontaminatedfloodwatersandcannotbewashedanddisinfectedshouldbe
discarded.

Allperishablefoodsleftinarefrigeratorformorethan24hourswithoutelectricityshouldbediscarded.

Frozenfoodleftinafreezerwillstayfrozenforafewdayswithoutelectricityifthedooriskeptshut.
Theseproductscanberefrozenificecrystalsarestillpresentandthefoodhasnotbeenexposedtoflood
waters.

Theoldsaying,Whenindoubt,throwitout,isthesafestapproach.

CosmeticsandMedicines
Allcosmetics,medicines,andothertoiletriesthathavebeenexposedtofloodwatersshouldbedisposedof.
Consultyourphysicianimmediatelytoobtainanynecessarymedicines.

WallsandFloors
Concrete

Cleanallmudfromthepremises,thenscrubcementwallsandfloorsthoroughlywithdetergentandwater.
Rinseandrepeat.ConcretesurfacescanbecleanedwithasolutionofTSPinwater,mixedasonepartTSP
tofortypartsofwarmwater(1/2cupofTSPto1gallonwater).TSPishighlycorrosiveandglovesandeye
protectionarerequiredwhenusing.Rinsewellanddisinfectwithasuitablediluteddisinfectant.

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Wooden

Thissectionalsoappliestowoodworkaswellasfloorsandwalls.

Removeallmudandrefuse.Clean,disinfect,andventilatetheareatodrythewood.Keepingthe
temperatureataround21degreesCelsius(72degreesFahrenheit)willhelptheareatodry.
Itmaybenecessarytopartiallyremovebasementfloorsandwallssothataircancirculatetoaiddrying.
Eachwallandfloorcavityshouldbeventilatedbydrillingorcuttingholesinthesurfaces.Forwalls,cut
holesnearthebottomjustabovethesillplate.Anywetinsulationwillhavetobecompletelyremoved.
Thispracticeisrecommended,otherwise,mouldandmildewmaygrowandodorswillremain.
Plywoodandparticleboardsubfloorsareusuallynotrecoverableafterhavingbeensubmergedinwateras
theyareconstructedfromnonwaterproofglues,whichseparatewhenincontactwithwater.
Soakedwoodfloors,especiallyhardwood,maybuckle.Itmaybepossibletorestorethembutanewfloor
coveringmayberequired.
Other

Letplasterwallsandceilingsdrythoroughlybeforewashing.Brushoffloosedirt,washwithadetergent
orothercleanerandthendisinfect.

Breakoutwallsandremovedrywall,woodpaneling,andinsulationatleast500mmabovethehighwater
line.Itmaybepossibletosavecertainsurfacessuchaswoodpaneling,butgypsumboardthathasbeen
immersedorexposedtohighhumidityforaprolongedperiodshouldberemovedintheirentiretyand
discarded.Ensurethatallinteriorcavitiesandstructuralmembersarecompletelydry,whichcouldtake
weeks,beforeclosingthecavities.
Wallpaperwillprobablyhavetobereplaced.
Linoleumandvinyltilefloorsmaybeloosenedordamagedbymoisture.Consultafloorcontractorto
determineifthedamagecanberepaired.

Ceilings
Iftheceilinghasmouldgrowth,treatitwithfullstrengthbleachsolution,butbesuretocheckonthe
sourceoftheproblemandtheconditionofinsulation.

Carefullycleanceilingsthatareonlysurfacedamp,toensurethatathinfilmofmoulddidnotgrowwhen
theairwasverywetormuggy.Useachlorinebleachsolution.

Ceilingsabovethehighwatermarkmayappeardryandundamagedbutshouldstillbecheckedaswater
canwickupwardsthroughthewalls.Ceilingsthatarebelowthehighwatermarkshouldbeventedby
removingceilingtilesorcuttingholesineachcavitybetweenthefloorjoists.Cleananddisinfectafter
checking.

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DoorsandWindows
Doorsshouldbethoroughlycleanedanddisinfected.Removingthedoorknobsandlayingthedoorona
levelsurfacemayhelptopreventwarpingofwoodendoors.

Locksthathavebeenexposedtofloodwatersshouldbetakenapartandcleaned,disinfected,driedand
oiledbeforereassembling.Becarefulwiththeoilasitcoulddrip.

Doorsandwindowframescouldbewarpingandtwistingandshouldberepairedifnecessary.Sliding
windowsshouldberemovedandboththewindowsandtrackcleaned.Slidingorbifolddoorsshouldbe
removedandboththedoorandtrackscleanedanddisinfected.

Donotpaintandredecorateuntileverythingiscompletelydry.

WoodenFurniture
Removealldrawersandotherworkingpartsassoonaspossible.Cleananddisinfectthoroughlyandallow
drying.Wipevarnishedfurniturethathasnotbeenindirectcontactwiththefloodwaters,butinstead
exposedtohighhumidity,withaclothdampenedinammonia,spiritsofcamphororessenceof
pepperminttoremovewhitespotsorscum.Immediatelyapplyfurniturewaxorpolish.Veneered
furnituremayneedexpertrepair.

Particleboardfurnitureshouldbediscarded.

Upholstery
Chairs,chesterfieldsandsofaswithmetalorwoodenframes,whichhavecomeintocontactwith
floodwater,cansometimesbesalvagedbutthecovering,stuffingandpaddingmustbediscarded.

Formildewedupholsterywhichhasnotcomeindirectcontactwithfloodwaters:
Removealldirtanddebris,cleanthoroughlyandallowtodryinthesun,oruseanelectricheateror
fan.
Ifmouldhasgrownonthefabric,removeloosemouldfrommildewedupholstery.Ifpossible,this
shouldbedoneoutdoorstopreventsporesfrombeingspreadinsidethehouse.Vacuumthe
surfacetoremovemoremould.
Ifmouldshavegrownintotheinterioroftheupholsteryifmaybenecessarytohaveit
professionallytreatedanddisinfected.Ifthepiececannotbesalvaged,itshouldbethrownaway.

RugsandCarpets
Removeloosedirt,shampoowithaproductcontainingadisinfectant,anddry.(Makesurethedisinfectant
willnotdiscolorthefabric).Sewagesoakedcarpetsmustbediscarded.

Topreventmouldandmildewitisessentialtocleanandthoroughlydrycarpetsasquicklyaspossible
(withintwodays).Youcandothisbyventilatingthearea,applyingheat,andusingfanstocirculatethe
air.Typically,homeownerscanteffectivelydrylargeareasofsoakedcarpetsthemselvesandqualified
professionalsarerequired.

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Glueddownrugsandcarpetsmayhavetoberemovedifsubmerged,asthefloodwaterswilldeteriorate
theglue.Carpetunderpadsmayneedtobereplaced.

DishesandUtensils
Contaminateddishesandutensilsmustbethoroughlywashedwithdisinfectant,rinsedanddisinfected
beforebeingused.Typically,utensilssoakedinachlorinesolutionof1%forfifteenminutesshouldbe
disinfected.

Woodenutensilsshouldbethrownout.

ClothingandBedding
Mattressesandcomforterssoakedwithfloodwaterscannotbeadequatelydisinfectedandshouldbe
discarded.Pillowsfilledwithfeathersorsyntheticmaterialshouldbedisposedof.

Cottonandlinenfabricsoiledwithredoryellowclayneedspecialtreatment.DONOTimmerseinhot
soapywater,orthestainswillset.Brushoffallloosedirtandrinseuntilnomoredirtcanberemoved,then
washinwarmsoapywater(severaltimesifnecessary).Addadisinfectantattheendofthewashingcycle
butbecarefulwhenusingbleach.

Leather
Cleanwithadampcloth,thenbuffwithadrycloth.Stuffnewspaperintopursesandshoestohelpretain
theirshape.Leavesuitcasesopentodryout.Keepleathergoodsawayfromheatordirectsunlightwhile
drying.Cleanwithsaddlesoapwhendry.Useasuedebrushorsteelwoolonsuede.Rinseleatherand
suedegarmentsincoldwateranddrythemawayfromheatordirectsunlight.

Books,DocumentsandPaperGoods

Waterdamagedbookscanbesalvagedbycareful,slowdrying.However,sewagecontaminatedbooks
shouldbedisinfectedorthrownaway.Afterpageshavebeenexposedtotheairforawhiletheycanbe
pressedtopreventcrumbling.Iftheyarenotthoroughlydried,theymaymildew.
Makeeveryattempttocleanandsavelegaldocumentsandothervaluabledocuments,asthisislesscostly
thanpayingtoreplacethem.
Paperthatiskepttogetherinawetstateforseveraldaysmaymeldintoasolidmassandbecome
unsalvageable.Therefore,booksandpapersthathavebeendamagedcanbestoredinafreezeruntiltimeis
availabletoworkonthem.Todothis:
Rinseoffdirt,toweldrybyblotting(notrubbing).
Wrapbookslooselyinfreezerorwaxedpaper.
Pack(spinedown)inasturdycontainer.
Freeze.

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Ifyouhaveimportantbooksyouwishtosaveorrestore:
Holdthebookclosedwhenrinsing.
Ifthebookispartiallywetordamp,standthebookonthetoporbottomedgewithcoversopenat
a90angleandairdry.
Ifthebookisverywet,layitflatonacleansurface,interleavelessthan20%ofthebookwith
absorbentmaterial,andreplacetheinterleavingwhenitbecomesdamp.
Afterthepageshavebeenexposedtotheairforawhile,pressthemtopreventcrumbling.
Alternatedryingandpressinguntilthepagesarethoroughlydry.Otherwise,mildewwillresult.
Avoiddryingbooksfortoolonginthefullsunasthiscandamagethebindings.

Consultwithalawyertodeterminewhetherflooddamageddocuments,orjusttheinformationinthem,
mustberetained.

Photographs
Removefromenclosuresorframesandcarefullyrinsewithcoolcleanwater.Besurenottotouchorblot
surfaces.Hangtoairdrywithclipsonanonimagearea,orlayflatonabsorbentpaper.Keepthe
photographsfromcontactwithadjacentsurfacesoreachother.Iftherearetoomanyphotographstoair
dryin48hours,freezingthemwithfreezerorwaxpaperinterleavesmaybeabletopreservethemfora
time.

FramedArtwork
Removepaintingsfromtheframesinasafe,dryplace.DONOTseparatepaintingsfromtheirstretchers.
Keepwetpaintingshorizontalwiththepaintsideupandnothingtouchingthesurface.Avoiddirect
sunlight.

Ifthearthasaglassframeandstickstotheglass,leaveitintheframeanddryitwiththeglasssidedown.

Toys
Paddedorstuffedtoyssuchasstuffedanimalsshouldbediscardedortakentoaprofessionalcleaner.
Plasticandmetaltoysshouldbecleanedwithadetergentandadisinfectant.Toyclothingshouldbe
treatedthesamewayashouseholdclothingandbedding.

Sandboxes
Thesandshouldbedisinfectedorremovedandreplaced.

OtherEquipmentandAppliances
Beforeusing,allowsmallappliances(toasters,kettles)todrycompletelyandthenthoroughlycleanwitha
detergentsolution,rinseanddisinfect.

Alllightingfixturesthatwerefloodedshouldberemovedandchecked.Takefloorandtablelampsapart
andcleanpartsthoroughly.

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Throwawayanyextensioncordsthatarenotinexcellentcondition.

Yourgasappliancesshouldbecleanedandcontrolsandgaslinescheckedbyaqualifiedservicemanbefore
reuse.

Applianceswithfoaminsulation,suchassomeovens,refrigerators,andfreezersthatweresubmergedin
floodwater,mayhavetobediscardedbecausetheycannotbedisinfected.Checkwithaqualified
servicepersonastowhetherornotitispossibletoremoveandreplacetheinsulation.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callanelectrician.Donottrytooperateanyelectricormotordrivenappliance
beforeaqualifiedpersonchecksit.

Telephone
Replaceanytelephonewiringthathasbeensubmerged.Eventhoughthephonemaystillwork,the
floodwatersmaycausecorrosion,whichcouldcauseproblemsinthefuture.

Yard
Rakeupanddisposeofallfloodbornematerialfromtheyard.Beespeciallycarefultoremoveallmaterials
thatattractinsectsoranimals.

Locategarbageatasafedistancefromthehouseanddowngradefromanywell.

Aftercleaningtheinteriorofthehometherefuseshouldbepromptlyremovedfromtheyardorexterior.

HeatingSystemsGeneral
Forallheatingsystems,whethertheyarewood,gas,propane,grainorelectric,ensurethattheequipment
isthoroughlyinspectedbyaqualifiedtechnicianbeforeusingagain.

Removesedimentfromallpipesandducts.Acontractormayhavetobehiredtoperformthiswork.

GasFurnaces
Disconnecttheventconnectorfromappliancesandthoroughlycleanthevent.Openthecleanoutdoorat
thebaseofthefurnacechimneyandthoroughlyclean,removingmudanddebris.

HireaHVAC(Heating,VentilationandAirConditioning)contractortoremoveandcleanthefanassembly
andtoinspectandrepairorreplaceanyelectricmotors,switches,controls,insulationandfilters.Ifthe
motorhasbeenwet,haveitcheckedbyanelectrician.Itmaybedangeroustouse.

Havetheheatingsystemcheckedbyaqualifiedgasfitterbeforeusingitagain.

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CoalandWoodBurningSystems
Beforelightingthefurnace,examinetheinsideofthecombustionchamberandcleanitthoroughly.

Iftheheaterhasajacket,cleanbetweentheheaterandtheoutsidecasing.

Makesurethechimneyisntplugged.Removeanymudfromthelowerpartofthechimney.

WaterHeaters
Seekadvicefromyourlocalheatingandplumbingcontractorregardingawaterheaterthathasbeenwet.
Ataminimum,flushthewaterheater.

WaterandSewerSystemsHomePlumbing
Havefloordrainsandsumppumpsflushedanddisinfected.Ifaprivatesewagedisposalsystemisused,
ensurethatchlorinated(orotherdisinfectant)waterisnotdischargedtothedisposalfield.

Duringaflood,thewaterpressureintheplumbinglinescanreverse,andwaterinhotandcoldpipescan
becontaminatedwithfloodwater.Haveaplumberinjectbleachintothelinestodisinfectthem.

Thefootingdrainsoutsideyourfoundationsmaybepartiallyorfullyblockedbecauseoftheflooding.
Havethemcheckedbyaqualifiedindividual.

Themunicipalitytypicallynotifieshouseholdsservicedbyamunicipalsewerwhenthesewagesystemhas
beenrestored.

WaterTreatmentDevices
Ifwatertreatmentdevicessuchaswatersoftenersorironfiltershavebeenfloodedorcontaminated,they
shouldbecleanedasdirectedbytheequipmentsupplier.

Pleasenotethatmanywatertreatmentsystemsarenotadequatefortreatingcontaminatedwater.Only
treatmentsystemscertifiedtotheappropriatestandardshouldbereliedupon.Watertreatmentdevices
canbecertifiedtoastandardthatdoesnotguaranteethetreatmentefficiency.Contactyourpublichealth
inspectorforassistance.

PublicWaterSystems
Ifyouareonapublicwatersystem,contactlocalofficialsinordertodeterminewhetherornotyourwater
issafetodrink.

PrivateWaterSystemsCisterns
Cisternsmustbeemptied,thoroughlycleaned,andrefilledwithpotablewater.Thefollowingprocedure
shouldbeusedtogetacisternbackintoservice.
Removeallmud,cleaningthecisternthoroughlywithabroomorbrush.
Disinfectbyfillingthecisternwithaconcentratedsolutionofchlorinebleach.Thechlorinesolution
canbemadebymixing450milliliters(2cups)ofplainhouseholdunscentedchlorinebleach(5.25%
strength)to450liters(100gallons)ofwater.
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Pumpthesolutionthroughoutthecisternsystemandthenclosealloutlets.Operateallvalves,
faucetsandoutletswhilechlorineispresent.
Allowthechlorinesolutiontoremaininthesystemfor24hours.
Afterthe24hours,thereshouldbeachlorineresidualof10mg/l,whichshouldhaveadistinct
chlorinesmell.
Rinsethecisternsystemwell,aschlorinecancorrodemetalpipesandtanks.

Notes:
Portionsofthesystem,suchascisternlids,maynothavebeenadequatelydisinfectedandshouldbe
washedanddisinfectedusinganappropriatedisinfectant.
Chlorinationmaydamagecertainhomewatertreatmentcomponentssuchascarbonfilters,reverse
osmosisfiltersandsofteners.
Heavilychlorinatedwatershouldnotbedischargedtoaprivatesewagesystemorseptictank.

Wells
Ifyourwellhasbeenflooded,youwillhavetodisinfectitbeforedrinkingthewater.

Wellsmustbethoroughlypumpedoutandchlorinatedpriortousing.Followtheproceduresbelowin
ordertoputawellbackinservice:
Pumpoutthewelluntilthewaterisclear.
Thoroughlycleanboredordugwells.Removefloatingdebrisandscruborhoseforeignmaterial
fromwellcribbingorcasing.
Pumpthewellagainuntilthewaterisclearorfor24hours,whicheverisgreater.
ShockchlorinatethewellaccordingtotheProvinceofSaskatchewanspublicationentitledLow
LevelChlorineWellDisinfection.
Bacteriologicalsamplesofthewellwatershouldbesubmittedtoanaccreditedlaboratoryfor
analysisfollowingtherequirementsintheWellDisinfectionpublication.Donotdrinkthewater
untilsufficientacceptablebacteriologicaltestingresultshavebeenreceivedfromthelaboratory.A
minimumofthreebacteriologicalsamplesshouldbetakeneachatleastsevendaysapart,before
consideringawellsupplytobesafe.
Ongoingmonthlybacteriologicalsamplingshouldoccurforatleasttenmonths.

Notes:
Shallowwellsmayberecontaminatedbypollutedgroundwater.Ifashallowwellispresent,
ongoingbacteriologicaltestingshouldbecompletedforatleasttenmonths.
Heavilychlorinatedwatershouldnotbedischargedtoaprivatesewagesystemorseptictank.
Ifthewellisinawellpit,dangerousgasesandashortageofoxygenmayoccur.Properventilation
shouldbesupplied.
Ifthegroundwaterhasbeencontaminated,anewwellmaynotsolveyourwaterqualityconcerns.
Foruptodateinformationonwaterqualitytestingandbestpractices,pleasevisit
http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/watertestingand
http://www.saskh2o.ca/WaterInformationFactSheet_Drinking_Private_Health.asp

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DugoutsandDams
Followthisproceduretoputadugoutbackinservice:
Pumpoutandremovesludgeanddebris.Ifthisisnotfeasible,coagulationmayhelpcleanup
turbidityandnutrientissues.
Makeanyrepairsrequired.
Ifnecessary,refillthedugout.
Considerinstallinganappropriatesurfacewatertreatmentsystemthatincludesfiltrationand
disinfection.
AdditionalassistancecanbeobtainedfromyourlocalPublicHealthInspector.Themostuptodate
listofcontactinformationforinspectorscanbefoundat:http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/public
healthinspections

PrivateSewageSystem
Privatesewagesystemsoftenconsistoftwoparts:aseptictankandadrainfield.Ifamoreadvanced
treatmentschemeispresentthatincludessuchunitsasupflowfiltersandtricklingfilters,themanufacturer
shouldbecontactedfordirections.Ingeneral,thesesystemswillneedtobewashedandraked.Also,for
alltypesofsystems,ensurethatanyelectricalandmechanicaldevicesaresafelyinspectedpriorto
reactivating.

SepticTanks
Checkthesiphon/pumpingchamber(secondcompartment)toensurethattheintakeofthesiphonorpump
isnotblocked.Septictanksandholdingtanksmayhavetobepumpedouttoremoveallsolidsandliquids
beforeoperatingproperly.DoNOThavetheseptictankpumpedoutunderfloodedorsaturated
conditionsasitcouldcausethetanktotryandfloatoutofthegroundanddamagetheinletandoutlet
pipes.

Donotopenaseptictankforpumpingwhilethesoilisstillsaturatedorflooded.Mudandsiltmayenter
thetankandendupinthedrainfield.However,afterthegroundhasdriedoutitisimportanttohavethe
septicsystempumpedoutasmudandsiltmayhaveenteredthetankandthismaterialcanclogthedrain
field.Ifthedrainfieldbecomescloggedwithsiltandmud,anewfieldmayhavetobeconstructed.

Besurethemanholecoverissecureandthatinspectionportshavenotbeenblockedordamaged.

Ifthesepticsystembacksupintothehouse,checkthetankfirstforoutletblockage.Floodingofthetank
mayhaveliftedthelayeroffatsandgreaseandpartiallyorcompletelyblockedtheoutlettee.

NeverenteraseptictankwithoutfollowingtheappropriateOccupationalHealthandSafetyrequirements
suchasusingacertifiedairpack,safetyharnessandwinch.Theatmosphereinaseptictankcanbelethal
andcausedeathwithouttheuseofpropersafetyequipment.Atleastoneobservermustbepresentwhen
anyoneentersaseptictank.

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DrainField
Floodingmaycausedamagetoyourprivatesewagedisposalfield.Thedisposalfieldshouldnotbeused
untilthefieldhasdriedandthewaterlevelinthedisposalfieldislowerthanthewaterlevelaroundthe
house.Ifyourdrainfieldareaisfloodedorverysaturated,youmightnoticesomeproblemssuchasdrains
inthehousewillrunslow;toiletsdrainslowlyorsoundstrangewhenflushed;andwatermaybackupinto
floordrainsinthebasement.

Ifthedrainfieldmustbeused(asmaybethecaseforapermanentresidencewhereothertemporary
optionsarenotavailable),drasticallyreducewateruseinthehome.Rememberthatthedrainfieldwas
designedtoinfiltratetheamountofwaternormallydischargedfromthehouse.Whenadditionalwater
fromrain,snoworfloodingisaddedtothedrainfield,itsabilitytohandleandtreathouseholdwasteis
seriouslylimited.Somesuggestedwaystoreducewateruseare:
Fixallleakingfixtures.
Donotpumpfromthesumptothesepticsystem.
Donotleteavestroughsorsumppumpdischargerunoverthedrainfieldarea.
Reducethenumberoftimesyouflushthetoilet.
Reducethenumberofshowersandbaths.Onebathorshowereveryotherdayperpersonisa
possibleoption.
Donotusethedishwasherorgarbagedisposal.
Donotdolaundryinyourhome.Ifneeded,takeittoalaundromat.

Inaddition,thefollowingactionsshouldbetakentoensurethatyourdrainfieldisoperatingproperly:
Examinethevegetationoveryourtankandabsorptionfield.Repairerosiondamageandsodor
reseedasnecessarytoprovideavegetativecover.
Donotcompactthesoilovertheabsorptionfieldbydrivingoroperatingequipmentoverthearea.

Forgeneralguidelinesforprivatesewagesystems,seeSaskatchewanHealthsOnsiteWastewaterDisposal
Guide:http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/wastewaterdisposalguide

ReturningtoHome
Donotattempttoliveinthehouseuntilthefollowingprecautionshavebeentaken.
Anelectriciancheckstheelectricalsystem.
Agasfitterhascheckednaturalgasandpropaneappliances.
Asafesupplyofdrinkingwaterisavailable.
Thesanitationfacilitiesareworkingproperly.
Allfloodcontaminatedroomshavebeencleanedanddisinfected.

Beforerebuilding,ensurethatthehouseisdry.Manyproblemsresultfromrebuildingafterafloodbefore
everythingdries.

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Followup
Aftercleaning,itisimportanttodryoutfloodedareasbythoroughlyairingthemoutinordertoprevent
thegrowthofmouldandmildew.Rapiddryingisimportanttopreventmouldgrowth.Whentheoutside
weatherconditionspermits(lowhumidityandmoderatetemperature),opendoorsandwindowsand
hastenthedryingprocesswithfans.Iftheoutsideweatherisnotsuitableand/orthedryingisnot
occurringfastenough,usedehumidifyingequipment,whichmayhavetoberented.Donotheatthehome
toabovetheoutsidetemperatureuntilallwaterhasbeenremoved.

Totestwhetheramaterialisdry,tapeclearfoodwraptothesurfaceoftheitem.Ifthecoveredsection
turnsdarkerthanthesurroundingmaterial,itisstilldamp.Drytheitemuntilthisnolongeroccurs.

Checkformouldregularlyforatleastonemonthafterfinishingcleaning.Ifmouldisencountered,kill
againbyusingachlorinesolutionorrubbingalcohol.Ifmouldpersists,contactaqualifiedprofessionalfor
moredetailedadvice.

Additionalinformationcanbeobtainedfrom:

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Healths website (www.health.gov.sk.ca/environmentalhealth) provides

informationonplumbing.

Formoreinformationonthisfactsheetand/orotherplumbingtopics,contactyourlocalhealthregionpublic
healthinspector.

ReginaQuAppelle
Saskatoon
PrairieNorth
PrinceAlbertParkland
KelseyTrail
FiveHills
Cypress
SunCountry
Sunrise
Heartland
MamawetanChurchillRiver
KeewatinYatthe

Regina
Saskatoon
NorthBattleford
PrinceAlbert
Melfort
MooseJaw
SwiftCurrent
Weyburn
Yorkton
Rosetown
LaRonge
BuffaloNarrows

(306)7667755
(306)6554605
(306)4466400
(306)7656600
(306)7526310
(306)6911500
(306)7785280
(306)8428618
(306)7860600
(306)8826413
(306)4258512
(306)2355811

Formoreinformation,goonlineto:http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/rhacommunitylist

Responsibilityforinterpretationofthecontentofthisfactsheetrestswiththeuser.Informationinthisfact
sheetisprovidedsolelyfortheusersinformationand,whilethoughttobeaccurate,isprovidedstrictlyas
isandwithoutwarrantyofanykind,eitherexpressorimplied.TheProvinceofSaskatchewanhereby
disclaimsanyliabilityorresponsibilityforanyinjuryordamageresultingfromtheuse,directlyor
indirectly,oftheinformationcontainedherein.

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References
AfterFlooding,AlbertaMunicipalAffairs,GovernmentofAlberta,January2005.
AftertheFlood,CanadianMortgageandHousingCorporation,GovernmentofCanada,accessedon
January23,2007.
AftertheFlood,EmergencyManagementOffice,GovernmentofNovaScotia,accessedonJanuary23,2007.
CleaningupaftertheFlood,GovernmentofBritishColombia.
CopingwithFloods,NDSUExtensionService,http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/floods/accessedonMay
23,2007.
CRCFloodRecoveryBookletDraft2,CanadianRedCross,accessedonFebruary8,2007.
FloodandFlashFlood,AmericanRedCross,www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_240_,00.html,
accessedonMay23,2007.
FloodCleanupandtheAirinYourHome,EPA402K06006,UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtection
Agency.
FloodDisasterWhattodobeforeandaftertheFlooding,TownofHighriver,May2006.
FloodRiskandPersonalPreparedness,MinistryofPublicSafetyandSolicitorGeneral,Governmentof
BritishColombia,April2007.
Flooding:AmIinaRiskArea?,MinistryofPublicSafetyandSolicitorGeneral,GovernmentofBritish
Colombia,April2007.
FloodsWhattodobeforeandafter,D8234/20011E,OfficeofCriticalInfrastructureProtectionand
EmergencyPreparedness,July2003.
Floods,PublicSafetyandEmergencyPreparednessCanada,www.getprepared.ca/risks/floods_e.asp,
accessedonJanuary23,2007.
HealthRisksofFlooding,DepartmentofHealth,GovernmentofNewBrunswick,accessedonJanuary23,
2007.
HowtoPrepareforaflood,KingCounty,http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/Before.htm,accessedonMay
23,2007.
InteragencyReportontheTorrentialRainstormofJuly3,2000atVanguard,Saskatchewan,Governmentof
Saskatchewan,2003.
RepairingyourFloodedHome,AmericanRedCross&FederalEmergencyManagementAgency,1992.
RestoringyourhometoSatisfactory,SanitaryConditionAfteraFlood.DepartmentofGovernment
ServicesandLands,GovernmentofNewfoundland.
SepticSystemsWhattodoaftertheFlood,www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emergency_septic.html,United
StatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,accessedonJune20,2007.
SepticSystemsandFlooding,NDSUExtensionService,www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/floods/septic2.htm,
accessedonMay23,2007.
SewageSystemsandFlooding,GovernmentofBritishColombia,
www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/sewerage_systems_and_flooding.pdf,accessedon
June182007.
StepstoReduceFloodandWaterDamage,NDSUExtensionService,
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/floods/steps.htm.accessedonMay23,2007.

Responsibilityforinterpretationofthecontentofthisfactsheetrestswiththeuser.Informationinthisfactsheetisprovidedsolely
fortheusersinformationand,whilethoughttobeaccurate,isprovidedstrictlyasisandwithoutwarrantyofanykind,either
expressorimplied.TheProvinceofSaskatchewanherebydisclaimsanyliabilityorresponsibilityforanyinjuryordamage
resultingfromtheuse,directlyorindirectly,oftheinformationcontainedherein.

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