What to do first
- Keep people and pets out of the affected area
- Avoid contact with contaminated water
- Be cautious around outlets, appliances, and wet electrical zones
- Do not move contaminated porous materials through clean areas if you can avoid it
What often needs special attention
- Carpet and pad
- Lower drywall and baseboards
- Cabinets and vanity bases
- Bath mats, rugs, textiles, and soft goods
- HVAC pathways near the affected area
Do not assume disinfectant solves everything
Sanitation is part of the process, but contamination can still require removal of porous materials that cannot be cleaned reliably enough.
Document before disposal when possible
Photograph the affected materials before removal if it is safe to do so. Safety comes first.
Call for the right service path
If sewage or heavily contaminated water is involved, describe that clearly during the first call so the cleanup can be triaged correctly.