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Handling Flood Damage in Milwaukee Wisconsin

By Scott White
May 21, 2009
As a result of torrential rains and massive flooding, the Wisconsin area has seen its fair share of damage. Homes, office buildings, cars and more have been ruined due to the rain. Therefore, many residents are experiencing the stress and discomfort of trying to put their lives back together after such hardship. That's why it's so important to understand how to deal with water-soaked property after flood damage Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Cleaning floors
Carpet is usually the first thing people deal with after experiencing flood damage Milwaukee Wisconsin. If you plan on trying to keep the carpet, you must first get it disinfected and cleaned immediately. Rinse the carpet with fresh water and clean with a couple of spoonfuls of bleach diluted in water to help prevent mold. Make sure to verify the carpet type first since bleach will damage some carpet fibers. Unfortunately, if the carpet is permeated with sewer or canal water, it's essential to pull the carpet up and throw it out since it would be contaminated.

Wood flooring clean up can be a bit more detailed since the planks need to be removed first before implementing any cleanup. This is because when wood gets wet, it can swell. If any clean up occurs, before it's removed and dried, the planks can split, therefore ruining the wood. Also, remember to dry wood floors over time, instead of all at once. Drying too quickly can also encourage cracking.

General disinfecting
One of the biggest issues to tackle when trying to recover from flood damage Milwaukee Wisconsin is the matter of disinfecting. All the affected areas will need a thorough cleaning if you want to feel comfortable using them again. To get started, old-fashioned soap and water can begin to do the trick. You can also use a strong household cleaner. Furthermore, once you've cleaned the surfaces, fill a bucket with a gallon of hot water, then add about two or three tablespoons of bleach to disinfect all damaged areas.

In addition, the kitchen is probably one of the first places you'd want to disinfect. For dishes, soak them in bleach and hot water for 10 minutes. This will help kill germs and bacteria. Use about one cup of bleach for each gallon of water. Once the dishes have soaked, take them out to dry, but do not use a towel; let them air dry. On the other hand, when cleaning metal pans or silverware, instead of using bleach, boil everything for 10 to 15 minutes. This is to ensure materials are cleaned without getting discolored from bleach. As far as kitchen cabinets and countertops, it's okay to wipe them thoroughly with the same combination of bleach and hot water used for dishes.

Roof damage
When it comes to flooding, damage is not only caused by water entering from the bottom. Water can seep into a home through the roof and cause internal damage to the property. As a result of flood damage Milwaukee Wisconsin, many people had to endure leaky roofs. Fortunately, there are a few ways to check for damage or potential trouble spots.

A roof is waterproofed with sheet metal, which is called flashing. Loose sheet metal, or flashing, can lead to water damage. Mainly, slopes and corners of the roof involve flashing. If water is seeping through these areas, the flashing could be deteriorating and therefore resulting in leaks.
Also, small holes or absent shingles could allow moisture to get in. To find holes, it's easy to spot them by looking for water stains, dripping, or the presence of light through an attic.

Whatever your situation, if you've recently experienced flood damage Milwaukee Wisconsin, call your insurance agent, then start the clean up process. Do what you can and if a job is too big or too detailed, call a professional.
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