Frequent Questions About Flooded Homes
On This Page:
- My home has started to have mold growth. Do I need to test my home for mold?
- What do I do with all the debris in my yard?
- What do I do with my home septic system after a flood?
- Can I use the water from the sink to drink after a flood?
- What do I do about water from household wells after a flood?
- Why are there so many mosquitoes after a flood?
- My friends and family are not feeling like themselves. Are there any resources for dealing with mental health after a disaster?
My home has started to have mold growth. Do I need to test my home for mold?
In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results
Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
- American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
- or other professional organizations
What do I do with all the debris in my yard?
To get started with debris removal, find out how your community is handling pick-up of flood-damaged debris. If your community waste management services cannot pick up the debris, make plans to rent a dumpster or have a contractor haul the waste for you.
Be sure to wear the proper personal protective equipment during debris removal to protect your health.
What do I do with my home septic system after a flood?
Do not use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. If you have a home-based or small business and your septic system has received chemicals, take extra precautions to prevent contact with water or inhaling fumes. Proper cleanup depends on the kinds of chemicals in the wastewater.
Can I use the water from the sink to drink after a flood?
To kill all major water-borne bacterial pathogens, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 full minute. Boil 3 minutes at elevations above 5280 ft (1 mile or 1.6 km).
What do I do about water from household wells after a flood?
Do not turn on the pump due to danger of electric shock. Do not drink or wash with water from the flooded well until it is tested and safe to use.
Why are there so many mosquitoes after a flood?
Mosquitoes can sharply increase after a flood, due to the sudden availability of standing water which they require for breeding -- even very small amounts of water. As flood waters recede, be sure to drain, overturn, or empty areas -- no matter how small -- to reduce mosquito breeding areas and help reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
- Get rid of standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, pools, or any other containers.
- Empty water from damaged materials that aren't usually outdoors, such as discarded furniture, household items, bookshelves, building materials, trash, etc.
- Drain wet areas and puddles of water, or fill them with dirt.
More ideas for controlling mosquitoes:
- Mosquito Control
- The importance of controlling mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus or Zika
My friends and family are not feeling like themselves. Are there any resources for dealing with mental health after a disaster?
During and after a disaster, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster.