Handling Flood Damage Contamination in Yakima Homes

5/5/2024 (Permalink)

Cleaning up after a flood is a long and tedious process. Call SERVPRO for certified technicians and equipment to help tackle any disaster.

Containing and Disposing of Harmful Materials During Flood Restoration

Yakima city covers 27.69 square miles but is known for many things, including being an agricultural hub, wine industry, outdoor recreation, and cuisine center. At the Yakima Valley Museum, people explore Native America and pioneer history. The Yakima SunDome hosts the annual state fair and annual events. Local establishments such as Los Hernández Tamales and WaterFire Restaurant & Bar provide a unique opportunity to try different cuisines. Throughout the year, various events like Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Central Washington State Fair, and Yakima Folklife Festival provide a unique opportunity to experience the city's cultural diversity.

Flood damage at your Yakima home can trigger a severe contamination case, endangering people during the incident, cleanup phase, and post-incident. Proper handling is one simple thing that can limit the dangers flood contamination poses. SERVPRO® identifies the harmful substances left by floodwaters and uses appropriate PPE when entering the flooded property. 

Harmful materials left by flooding 

• Silt or mud 
• Water laced with biohazards and chemicals 
• Porous materials left soggy 

Floodwaters bring in the silt and mud you notice covering floors and items. If the flooding is not restricted to your neighborhood, the percentage of harmful chemicals and biohazards in the mud and silt deposits may be high. Sludge must be handled carefully. Our SERVPRO crews use rakes and heavy-duty gloves to facilitate safe removal.

The water that breaches your property not only reaches many unwanted areas but also contains dangerous products. Removing the water and dealing with the substances is the only way your property can regain its preloss state. Our SERVPRO crews take preemptive steps, such as spraying an EPA-registered disinfectant into the water before using vacuum extractors to remove it. 

Porous materials to remove  

• Drywall panels 
• Insulation 
• Flooring and subflooring 
• Exterior siding 

Removing structural materials requires controlled demolition to avoid unnecessary damage or destabilizing the structure. Our technicians have cutting, prying, and drilling tools to facilitate controlled demolition. 

SERVPRO of Yakima provides reliable flood damage restoration—call (509) 972-6707 for assistance.