by Martin L. King, CR, ASA, RIA Technical Advisor

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Human health and life safety is far more important than any building or its contents. Ground water and surfaces impacted by it must be considered pathogenic and potentially hazardous.

• All personnel should wear rubber gloves and dust masks when handling impacted materials.

• Saturated drywall and plaster ceilings are subject to failure at any time. Areas with visible sagging should either be shored up or pulled down to remove potential hazards.

• Flooded basements should not be pumped out until the surrounding earth has been allowed to drain sufficiently to remove external pressure against the foundation.

• Wear sturdy boots or shoes when walking on silt-covered floors. All sorts of sharps and penetrating fragments may be hidden below the surface.

• A clean water source should be available for personal hygiene. Wash hands and faces with soap and water as often as the situation permits.

• Wash work garments separately from other clothing, using a 1-10 solution of chlorine bleach and water, but DO NOT USE BLEACH with ammoniated cleaners or detergents.

BUILDING RESTORATION

• Mold growth is inevitable unless drying can be performed within 48 hours of exposure. Since this will not be possible in the absence of electric power or generators, it should be assumed that mold growth will continue until saturated materials can be removed and all enclosed wall, ceiling and floor cavities are exposed to air movement.

• Any areas that escaped saturation should be sealed off with plastic while performing demolition in damaged areas.

• Buildings sustaining complete or substantial immersion in ground water will have to be stripped of all finish materials, such as drywall, plaster, insulation, flooring, sub-flooring, millwork and trims. Plumbing fixtures will have to be removed to permit removal of the underlying floor and wall materials.

• Non-porous materials such as masonry, ceramic tile, glass, porcelain will not support mold growth or sustain significant damage from water. This includes eyeglasses and jewelry. Thorough cleaning and disinfecting with a bleach or germicidal solution should be sufficient to restore non-porous materials to use.

• Metals are also impervious to moisture but vulnerable to rust. Emergency treatment of guns and tools can include initial cleaning with steel wool, with immersion if necessary, followed by saturation with a moisture-displacing oil or rust preventative, and rapid drying.

• Electrical appliances are not restorable after immersion, including refrigerators, stoves and water heaters that that may appear restorable, but contain internal insulation that can not be properly dried or sanitized.

PERSONAL PROPERTY RESTORATION

• Discard absorbent furnishings that have been impacted by water, including rugs, carpets, upholstery, mattresses & box springs, draperies and fabric accessories.

• Garments, bedding and accessories that can be washed may be salvageable if color bleeding or mildew growth is not present.

• Organic materials such as leather, animal trophies and furs are not restorable.

• When emptying cabinets or shelves, remember that porcelain bowls and other containers will be filled with water.

• Documents should be stored flat and spread out for subsequent drying. Freezing, if available, will preserve them for later restoration. Photocopying is the most cost effective way to preserve deeds and other important papers.

• The initial efforts of hurricane victims should probably be directed to assembling room-by-room lists of the personal property they contain. Photographic documentation is also useful for insurance and tax claims.

ANTIQUES AND VALUABLE ARTWORKS

• It may be difficult to determine whether restoration is possible, and establishing value normally requires direct inspection of the article. Where possible, perform superficial cleaning and preserve the item for a future evaluation of its restorability and value.

• For less severe water damage, also see RIA's Emergency Tips, available in Spanish as well as English.