How To Clean A Flooded Floor

• The effects of flooding on flooring
• The steps of cleaning a flooded floor
• How to clean different types of flooring after a flood
  • Carpet
  • Wooden floors
  • Vinyl and laminate floors
  • Tile floors
• Get in touch

Floods can be devastating and often leave behind lasting damage for your property and possessions. A rapid, thorough response is essential to minimise the effects of the flooding and give you any chance of restoring your home to how it was before.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer a comprehensive flood restoration service. Our technicians have plenty of experience removing water, drying out properties, and restoring them as close as possible to their original state. They are available nationwide, day and night, 365 days a year.

Keep reading to find out the best way to clean your flooded floor.  

The effects of flooding on flooring

Firstly, floodwater is very dangerous to be exposed to. If it came from the sewerage system or a river, it will be contaminated with bacteria and pollutants which can put you at risk of serious health problems.

Flooding from a burst pipe can also be dangerous. Should greywater or blackwater have flooded your home, it can contain harmful toxins, pathogens, chemicals, and biological substances. Professional cleaners must clear up the flood and deep clean the affected area.

Anything that came in contact with the floodwater, including your flooring, will need to be thoroughly disinfected to kill any pathogens.

A flood could lead to water damage if the water is not removed and the floor dried quickly, too. Different types of flooring are affected by flooding in different ways:

• Carpets can get mouldy which may lead to unsightly smells, discolouration, and eventually a dangerous mould problem spreading throughout your home.
• Tiles could be discoloured and loosened by water damage.
• Laminate and wooden flooring is porous so it is likely to get destroyed by water damage. It can change colour, and will begin to warp and bulge.  
• Vinyl flooring can develop water pockets which might damage the subfloor.

Properties that are not fully dried after flooding are at risk of developing a mould problem, as well. Fast, effective flood damage clean up is critical to making and keeping your home safe.

The steps of cleaning a flooded floor

Remove water

When the water levels are lower outside than inside your home, you need to get rid of the floodwater. You can use pumps, buckets, and mops, but it is recommended professionals with specialist equipment attempt this to ensure as much is removed as quickly as possible.

Ventilate the property

Open all the windows and use fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. Only use these appliances if the electricity has been certified as safe to use. Cleaners, like our technicians, can use industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to thoroughly dry out your home.

Deep clean and disinfect the floor

In some cases, you may need to pull up the flooring before you start disinfecting it:

• The flood damage is so extensive that replacement is preferable to drying and cleaning it
• The subfloor needs to be dried out to prevent a long-term damp and mould problem
• Disinfectant has to be applied beneath the floorboards to eliminate bacteria and mould

Then, you can clear away any dirt and debris from the floor. Finally, it must be disinfected to kill any viruses and bacteria. Cleaners will have specialist products that can give you peace of mind that any harmful substances have been eradicated from your home.

How to clean different types of flooring after a flood

Carpet

If a carpet and its padding is soaked with contaminated water, they will usually need to be replaced. To clean a flooded carpet, use a wet-dry vacuum to remove water, and replace or dry the padding beneath them. Then, deep clean the carpet with a steam or extraction cleaner, and disinfect it.

Carpet cleaning after a flood should be left to professionals as mould can start growing in them very quickly. You can find out more in this blog.

Wooden floors

After removing the water, clean up dirt and debris, and disinfect the floor. Next, dry out the flooring with wet-dry vacuums, dehumidifiers, and air movers. Buckling and damaged planks will need to be replaced.

Vinyl and laminate floors

The flooring will need to be removed first to allow the subfloor to dry out completely. If the flooring was damaged, it might need to be replaced, but it is possible to clean and dry it.

Tile floors

This type of flooring is usually water-resistant. You will probably just need to remove any excess water and then clean it.

Professional cleaners will have the specialist equipment to get rid of all the water from different types of flooring, dry out your entire property, and disinfect all affected surfaces. They can provide the rapid response you require to minimise lasting damage and save you spending on new flooring.

Get in touch

Our technicians can provide the full range of services you may require following a flood including flood damage cleaning, water damage clean up and restoration, and mould remediation. They can be on site in several hours in an emergency.

For a free site survey and no-obligation quote, contact our team today on 0208 066 0360 or at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.