Dealing with Flood & Sewer Waters in Your Home
How to Clean Buildings

Structures that have been flooded should be examined carefully before being used for living quarters to ensure that they are safe and will not collapse. Buildings should also be thoroughly cleaned as follows.

• Buildings: Loose plaster should be removed from walls and ceilings. Doors and window sashes, should be removed and allowed to dry thoroughly. If water remains in the basement, it should be drained or pumped out as soon as possible. As the water is being removed, the mud should be stirred and carried away with it. After the basement has been allowed to dry thoroughly, wash the floors and walls with the chlorine disinfectant solution. Keep windows open for ventilation. Chlorine solutions are corrosive, so use plastic containers to store and do not apply the disinfectant to metal surfaces.
  

• Walls, Woodwork & Floors: The walls and woodwork, while still damp, should be thoroughly scrubbed with a stiff fiber brush and water to remove all mud and silt. Particular attention should be given to all corners and cracks. Floors should be cleansed of all mud and dirt and allowed to dry thoroughly. Rugs that require shampooing should be washed with commercial rug shampoo products or with a mild soap jelly. Rugs and carpets should be stretched out on a flat surface and allowed to dry thoroughly to prevent molding, then subjected to beating, sweeping, or vacuum cleaning.