How to clean-up after flood damage
Hurricane Katrina provided restoration contractors with the
unique opportunity to learn how to respond to massive flooding over a large,
affected area. Some of those lessons came at a high price and offer invaluable
information for restoration professionals responding to flooding across the
country.
Environmental Contaminants
Due to the variety of contaminants that can be found in the
flood waters, proper PPE is crucial for anyone working in the flood-affected
areas. There are potential health problems for individuals who have skin
contact or inhale any of the contaminants.
Environmental contaminants found in flood waters could
include:
- Micro-organisms/Bacteria – e.g., gram negative bacilli from
raw sewage or animal feces, fungi, viruses and parasites
- Heavy Metals – e.g., arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium,
copper, lead, nickel, silver, zinc
- Diesel Range Organics – e.g., oil (Note: N-95 filtering
masks do not provide adequate protection against oil mist.)
- Agro-pollution from Pesticides – e.g., DDT, Chlorodane,
Heptachlor, non-water soluble organochlorine compounds and fertilizers
- PCBs
Health Issues
In New Orleans, contaminants were found in levels high
enough to impact the health of those exposed to them. Unprepared workers and
volunteers could place themselves at risk for long-term health effects
following exposure. Due to testing limitations and a lack of testing standards,
these hazards may not be identified until well after workers have been exposed
to them.
Injuries and illnesses can include:
- Antibiotic resistant staph infections (MRSA)
- Flesh-eating bacteria
- Intestinal complications
- Respiratory problems
- Exposure to e-coli
- Undiagnosed rashes
- Normal work-related injuries – e.g., falls, vehicle
accidents, cuts, bruises
Pittsburgh Protocol
Flood-borne contaminants will impact residents, workers,
buildings, vehicles, infrastructure and vegetation. All flood-impacted porous
materials should be
removed and replaced. Contamination will also be present in
semi-porous materials such as studs, sub-flooring and wall sheathing. Any
remaining structural components should be thoroughly cleaned following the
Pittsburgh Protocol.
The Pittsburgh Protocol was developed in 2004 following Hurricane
Ivan and its effects on the Pittsburgh, PA area to deal with mold growth and
severe bacterial contamination. There are four basic steps:
- Work areas should be placed under negative pressure
containment or well ventilated with fans, which exhaust outdoors.
- Thorough removal of large quantities of mud by vacuuming
is often impractical. Scrape off heavy deposits of mud. HEPA vacuum loose mold
contamination. The remaining mold should be treated with a foam application of
an antimicrobial/cleaner.
- Pressure cleaning with an antimicrobial cleaner will
remove the visible contamination and may afford short-term fungi-static protection to surfaces.
- A highly permeable encapsulant should be applied using an
airless paint sprayer to protect the surfaces and inhibit future growth.
What You Should Know
Restoration professionals should be aware that:
- If you haven’t been invited to the area, don’t go.
- If you do go, pre-planning is critical. Most supplies will
need to be brought in with contractors – everything from generators, fuel and
building supplies to living quarters and food for workers.
- Communication will be difficult, so satellite phones and/or
walkie-talkie sets may be necessary.
- Vehicles should be equipped with GPS since many street signs
and markers may have disappeared during the flooding.
- Use unmarked vehicles (without company logos) to lessen the
risk of vandalism or having equipment “misappropriated”
- Don’t offer an opinion or expertise that you don’t have. If
health issues are involved, refer the client to a doctor.
Cleaning & Safety Procedures
- Fungal growth prefers clean water, so it will not be
unusual to find little or no mold growth below the high water mark. There may
be fungal contamination in wall cavities due to water wicking up the walls.
- OSB holds more water than plywood.
- Bleach is a destructive and ineffective antimicrobial and
should not be used.
- Deep contamination requires deep cleaning. Basically, what
goes in with water should come out with water. Heavy-duty cleaners and
degreasers will be needed in addition to agitation.
- Employ aggressive drying strategies.
- In a high humidity situation, high heat is the most
effective drying method.
- Open affected areas – including pulling out base moldings
and cabinets.
- Plastic-coated electrical wiring can probably be salvaged
if cut back to the point of water exposure.
- Treat clothing and textiles with textile compatible
conservation treatments.
- Document the damage using photos, video and moisture
mapping. Keep a daily log. It’s hard to remember what happened months after the
fact.
- Remove the damaged materials and hose off or power wash the
rest.
- Consider using unmarked trailers to bring in equipment and
supplies.
- Train employees on the risks they will encounter, not on
every aspect of the job.
- OSHA requires proper PPE, not over protection – Consider:
breathable coveralls, P-100 dust masks (more comfortable than half-face
respirators), PAPRs.
- Be aware of the symptoms of heat stress and keep employees
well hydrated.
Business Basics
- Many homeowners will not have flood insurance, meaning very
few will have covered losses. Find out up front who is paying and the payment
terms.
- Insurance payments and policies vary – be aware that
payments may arrive late or not at all.
- Consider offering a fee-based damage appraisal service.
(Can assist your company in pre-qualifying a loss.)
- Know what licenses and legal requirements must be met by
contractors for that jurisdiction.
- Make sure to organize your credentials (e.g., state
licenses, certifications, etc.) in a presentable manner.
- Verify that your insurance will cover your company in the
jurisdiction where you are working.
- Establish lines of credit with banks and equipment
suppliers before traveling to the damage area.
These items are in no manner all-inclusive, but are designed
to provide restoration professionals with the major issues that should be
considered or addressed when working in a flood-damaged area.
For Additional Information
- Restoration Industry Association –
www.restorationindustry.org
- Contractor Orientation to Catastrophic Disaster Work – RIA Technical
Assistance Bulletin (click on Contractor Preparation Tips)
- The ABC’s of Returning to Flooded Buildings – FEMA Recovery Advisory
- Initial Restoration for Flooded Buildings – FEMA Recovery Advisory
- Health Concerns Associated with Mold in
Water-Damaged Homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov
- Federal Emergency Management Agency –
www.fema.gov
- American Academy of Experts in Traumatic
Stress – www.aaets.org
Special thanks to
Frank Headen, CR, WLS, CMH; Michael Pinto, CSP, CMP; and Cliff Zlotnik, CR,
WLS, CMH, for sharing their knowledge and expertise.
The above document is published by RIA and can be accessed in pdf here