Category: News || By Submitted Report

With flash floods, heavy rains and associated power outages plaguing Mon-Yough residents over the past two weeks, the Allegheny County Health Department has issued a list of cleanup and safety tips.

If you have questions or need additional information, call (412) 687-ACHD or visit the Health Department's website, a spokeswoman said.

Flood Cleanup Tips

• Clean and disinfect washable surfaces that have come in contact with floodwaters. Wash with soap and water; then disinfect with a mixture of household bleach and water --- one and a quarter cup of bleach per gallon of water if floodwaters come from sewers and a quarter cup of bleach per gallon of water if floodwaters are not tainted by sewage.


• Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner. Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and eye protection when disinfecting surfaces, and try not to breathe bleach fumes.


• Discard all upholstered furniture, mattresses, bedding and stuffed toys soaked in floodwaters.


• Soaked and soiled carpeting should also be discarded. If you try to salvage carpeting, dry it out and then shampoo it with a commercial rug cleaner.


• Clean, dry and check your furnace, water heater, washer, dryer and other appliances before using them. Do not handle electrical equipment in wet areas. Call a plumber or an electrician for professional service.


• To remove odors from refrigerators and freezers, use warm water with a detergent and wipe dry. If an odor persists, try a solution of one teaspoon of baking soda or one cup of household ammonia per gallon of water.


• Throw away foods that have come into contact with floodwaters.


• Make sure everyone involved in flood cleanup work has an up-to-date tetanus shot. Boosters are recommended every 10 years.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

• Gas-powered pressure washers can produce lethal amounts of carbon monoxide and should never be used indoors, even with windows and doors open, unless hoses and extensions are used inside and the engine itself, which releases exhaust fumes, stays outdoors.


• Furnaces affected by flooding need to be checked by a qualified heating professional before they are fired up for the heating season.

• Dry out wet or damp areas as thoroughly as possible. Open doors and windows. Use fans, dehumidifiers and air conditioners to dry out damp environments.


• If using a dehumidifier in a basement, garage or other area that is all concrete, use it until it is no longer necessary to empty the tank and the walls and floor feel dry. If there are walls finished with wood or other materials, buy a moisture meter from a hardware store to ensure the area is dry.


• Be patient. Drying out a home or business may take weeks. Damage from mildew and decay will continue until a home or business is reasonably dry. There is all also a risk of respiratory issues from an area that is not dried properly. Musty odors linger if an area is not properly dried out.


• Scrub hard, non-porous surfaces with commercial cleaning products or detergent and water, and then disinfect the surfaces with a solution of household bleach and water --- one and a quarter cup of bleach per gallon of water if floodwaters come from sewers or a quarter cup of bleach to a gallon of water if floodwaters are not tainted by sewage.


• Any items made of porous or absorbent materials that have been saturated in floodwaters should be thrown away. This includes ceilings and walls made of such materials.


• Remove and replace wallboard and fiberglass or cellulose insulation up to the point where it absorbed water. Styrofoam insulation may only need to be hosed off.


• Plaster walls and ceilings take a very long time to dry and generally do not have to be replaced unless they have many cracks or are sagging and in danger of collapse.


• Remove all wall covering that got wet and throw it away. It can keep areas from properly drying out. Also remove wallpaper paste, which can promote the growth of mold and mildew.


• Remove water trapped behind walls. Check for water by sticking an awl or knife into the wall. If water drips out, drill a hole large enough for the water to drain out.


• Wood, including studs, sills and paneling, generally does not have to be replaced when it is allowed to dry naturally and properly.


• Remove and throw away soaked floor coverings.


• Make sure hard surfaces are clean and completely dried out before painting or caulking.


• If using a contractor for flood cleanup and repairs, be sure to ask for and check references. Look for contractors who are affiliated with professional organizations.

• Use appliance thermometers in refrigerators and freezers. Safe temperatures are a maximum of 40-degrees F for refrigerators and 0-degrees F for freezers. Most food-borne illnesses are caused by bacteria that multiply rapidly above 40-degrees F.


• Keep freezer doors closed --- a full freezer should keep food safe for approximately two days, and a half-full freezer for approximately one day. Add bags of ice or dry ice to the freezer if the power will be out for an extended time. Foods that still contain ice crystals or feel cold to the touch may safely be refrozen.


• Refrigerated items should be safe as long as the power is out no more than four to six hours. Discard any perishable food that has been above 40-degrees F for two hours or more, as well as any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture. Keep the refrigerator door closed --- every time the door is opened, cold air escapes and raises the temperature inside.


• If the power will be out more than six hours, transfer perishable foods to an insulated cooler filled with ice or frozen gel packs. Keep a thermometer in the cooler, and make sure the temperature does not go above 40-degrees F.


• Never taste food to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature longer than two hours, bacteria that cause food-borne illness can begin to multiply very rapidly. Some types of bacteria will produce toxins that are not destroyed by cooking and can cause illness.