Extension > Extreme weather > Recover from floods > Housing
Recover from floods: Housing
Table of contents
Clean-up and hazards
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Priorities for clean-up and repair after a flood
Safety first: shut off gas and power, wear boots and gloves. Print fact sheet (235 K PDF)
Cleaning your home after a flood
Safety first: check structural damage, electricity and ductwork before cleaning
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Cleanup: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Help for returning to a flood-damaged home.
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Cleaning up after a flood
Clean, then disinfect, with suitable products.
- La limpieza después de una inundación (Spanish version)
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Flooded floors and woodwork: Cleaning
Scrub floors and woodwork within 48 hours (but no ammonia).
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Flooded walls: Drying and cleaning
Quickly dry surfaces; remove all wet insulation, and more.
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Portable heater and generator safety
How to use these potentially dangerous units correctly.
Other clean-up and hazards resources we recommend
- Floods: Minimizing pollution and health risks – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Hazards of flood cleanup work – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Water, moisture
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Moisture in basements: Causes and solutions
Five approaches to fixing the problem.
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Excess moisture in the home
Keep humidity level at 30% to 45%.
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Testing housing materials for moisture
Concrete, drywall, wood, furniture do best when moisture is less than 10%.
Fungi, mold, mildew
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Molds: Your safe home
Detect, disinfect, and prevent mold to avoid health problems.
- El moho: Su hogar seguro (Spanish version)
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How to remove mildew
From textiles, paper, painted surfaces.
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Anti-Microbial Pesticide Manual
University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department Health — For managing indoor mold and water remediation, mid-technical level (250 pages).
Other fungi, mold, mildew resources we recommend
- Fungi in buildings – Department of Environmental Health & Safety, University of Minnesota
- Mold and moisture – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur.
- Protect yourself from mold – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Septic systems
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Septic system operation after a flood
University of Minnesota Extension Water Resources Center — Pump the tank as soon as possible and more. Print fact sheet (351 K PDF)
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Cleaning your well and septic after a floodHire a certified septic professional to assess tank and soil treatment area. Also check for compliance.
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Septic system owner's guide
33-page owner's guide for septic system use and maintenance. Includes chapter on operation after a flood.
Other septic system resources we recommend
- Preventing and solving sewage treatment problems during a flood – Minnesota Department of Health
