What to do After A Flood - Chicago IL

Tips to Remember After Flooding Problems

Do
Wash your hands properly if you have been in contact with flood water or silt. Take particular care when preparing or eating food.
Contact your insurance company (if relevant) and make an inventory list of all damaged goods, including food. If you can, take photos or videos of the damages.
Put contaminated, flood damaged food in black plastic garbage bags, seal and put out for the next collection. Check with insurers before disposal.
If you accidentally ingest (swallow) mud or contaminated flood water and you become ill contact your doctor and tell him your house was flooded.

Don't
Don't be tempted to try and salvage damaged food as it may be contaminated with sewage or chemicals left from the flood water. Don't switch on electrical appliances, which have been in contact with the flood water unless a competent electrician has checked them. Your local electric company will be checking the main's supplies.
Don't eat home grown garden or allotment fruit and vegetables that have been covered by flood water. Leave undamaged vegetables in the ground for at least another two weeks and then only use them after thorough washing and cooking.
Don't let young children play on affected grassed or paved areas until they have been cleaned and restored to their normal condition.

Additional Flood Repair Works

Eventually other necessary works may be identified by your insurance company, builders, etc. These will possibly be carried out after the property has substantially dried out after the flood. However, if plaster walls and partitions have been affected badly and do not dry out in a sound condition the plaster and boards affected will have to be removed, walls dried out and re-plastered.
Any areas showing signs of mold should be treated - a professional mold remediation specialist is recommended.

About six months after the flood it would be advisable to check wood floors for any evidence of rot or shrinkage. Any necessary repair work can then be made.
Fitted units, particularly in the kitchen, made of chipboard may not dry out well and will become damaged by absorbed water. Sanitization of these is difficult and therefore they may have to be eventually replaced.

Check for structural damage to your property and if you think there is damage or danger seek advice from your insurer, builder or reputable contractor.