Is It Safe To Keep Flood-Damaged Items?

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

You can trust our trained team to restore your business or home after a storm, so it's "Like it never even happened." Contact SERVPRO!

Is Keeping Flood-Damaged Items Safe?

Business or building owners who have recently experienced a flood may be curious which contents are safe to clean and keep. Any items exposed to contaminated water will need to be disinfected. Some materials stand up to this treatment better than others. Here is an overview of which items can benefit most from content cleaning.

Hard, Non-Porous Materials

Hard items that do not absorb water are the best candidates for cleaning. These items may range from durable to delicate. Depending on the material, damage mitigation experts may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Abrasion or blasting
  
• Immersion cleaning with or without ultrasonic waves
  
• Spraying and wiping
  
• Wet cleaning

These methods can be sufficient for cleaning a variety of items. Items that have been disinfected and dried should be safe to handle. If a building is still undergoing cleanup and restoration, ask a content cleaning service about off-site storage.

Porous Materials

Porous materials are generally not good candidates for cleaning. Exposure to contaminated water introduces contaminants that can be difficult to get out of the following items:

• Carpets and rugs
• Furniture
  
• Mattresses

As a rule, it is generally safer to dispose of and replace porous items than attempt restoration. In addition to a risk of infection or exposure to chemicals, heavy metals or other contaminants, these items may also heighten the risk of mold growth in an otherwise clean and sanitary location.

Electronics

Electronics exposed to water tend to corrode, which can cause short-circuiting. Flood water also introduces dirt and debris to delicate parts. Ask a cleaning specialist whether it is possible to restore appliances and devices or attempt to recover data.

A content cleaning specialist can recommend the best treatment for each item and give business and building owners accurate ideas about whether restoration is possible. Contact a commercial damage cleanup and restoration company in South Jordan, UT.