Floors
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With wood subflooring, the floor covering (vinyl, linoleum, and carpet)
must be removed so the subflooring can dry thoroughly which may take
several months. Open windows and doors to expose the boards to as
much air as possible.
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Carpeting
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Clean and dry carpets and rugs as quickly as possible. If sewage-
contaminated floodwater covered your carpeting, discard it for
health safety reasons. Also discard if the carpet was under water
for 24 hours or more. To clean, drape carpets and rugs outdoors
and hose them down. Work a disinfecting carpet cleaner into soiled
spots with a broom. To discourage mildew and odors, rinse with a
solution of 2 tablespoons bleach to 1 gallon water, but don't use this
solution on wool or nylon carpets. Dry the carpet and floor
thoroughly before replacing the carpet. Padding is nearly
impossible to clean so should be replaced. If the carpet can't be
removed, dry it as quickly as possible using a wet/dry vacuum and
dehumidifier. Use a fan to circulate air above the carpet, and if
possible, lift the carpet and ventilate with fans underneath.
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Vinyl
flooring and floor tile may need to be removed to allow drying
of subfloor.
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Wood floors
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Wooden floors should be dried gradually. Sudden drying could
cause cracking or splitting. Some restoration companies can
accelerate drying time by forcing air through the fluted underside of
hardwood floorboards. Remove hardwood floor boards to prevent
buckling. Remove a board every few feet to reduce buckling
caused by swelling. Clean and dry wood before attempting repairs.
Roof damage and leaks
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Defective flashing
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Flashing is the sheet metal used in
waterproofing roof valleys, hips and the angle between a chimney
and a roof. Wet spots near a chimney or outside wall may mean the
leak is caused by defective flashing, narrow flashing or loose
mortar joints. Look for corroded, loose or displaced flashing on
sloping roof valleys and at junctions of dormers and roof.
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Clogged downspouts or eaves
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Check for
choked downspouts. Accumulated water or snow
on the roof above the flashing may cause a leak.
Ice accumulations on eaves sometimes form
ridges, which cause melting snow to back up
under the shingles.