The short answer
Safety First
Before you touch anything, shut off the electricity at the main breaker if it is safe to reach. Also close the water supply valve to stop more water from entering. If the floor is wet, wear rubber boots and gloves. Floodwater can hide sharp objects, chemicals, or sewage.
If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave the building and call the gas utility from outside. Do not use any electrical equipment near standing water. If anyone feels unwell, see a doctor. Your health and safety come before cleanup.
Remove Standing Water
Get rid of as much water as you can, fast. Use a pump for deep water or a wet vacuum for shallow puddles. Mop up the rest with towels. The longer water sits, the more it soaks into floors and walls.
Open doors and windows to let fresh air move through. Set up fans and a dehumidifier to pull moisture out of the air. If you have a damp basement, a submersible pump can help. If you live in Redmond, keep your shutoff valve location written down for next time.
Sort What to Keep
Not everything can be saved. Porous items like carpet, padding, upholstered furniture, and drywall that touched floodwater usually need to go. They trap bacteria and mold. Cardboard boxes and paper documents also soak up water and become a mold risk.
Hard surfaces like metal, glass, and plastic can often be cleaned and disinfected. But if they stayed wet for more than a day, mold may have set in. When in doubt, toss it out. Your health is not worth the risk.
- Carpet and padding: replace if soaked
- Drywall and insulation: cut out wet sections
- Wood furniture: dry slowly and inspect for warping
- Metal items: dry and wipe with a disinfectant
- Paper and cardboard: dry or discard, mold grows fast
Clean and Disinfect
Once the space is dry, scrub all hard surfaces with a detergent and warm water. Then apply a disinfectant to kill germs. Pay attention to baseboards, door frames, and any spot that stayed damp. Floodwater can carry bacteria and viruses.
For upholstery and contents that are salvageable, professional cleaning may be needed. Steam cleaning and deep cleaning help remove odors and bacteria. Local water damage pros often handle this kind of work, and they have the right equipment for large spaces.
Call in the Pros
Commercial floods are big jobs. If water soaked into walls, ceilings, or a crawlspace, you need equipment and expertise you may not have. The pros use industrial dryers, moisture meters, and sanitizing agents to do the job right.
They also handle tasks like air duct cleaning and historic building restoration if needed. The cost depends on how much water, what got wet, and the size of your building. Often it is a few thousand dollars, but it varies. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.
- Water damage inspection to see hidden moisture
- Upholstery cleaning for furniture
- On-site contents cleaning for documents and items
- Air duct cleaning to remove mold spores
Need help right now?
Phones are answered 24/7 for Redmond and nearby communities.
Call Now (425) 407-5186Frequently asked questions
How long does a commercial flood cleanup take?
It depends on the size of the building and how much water entered. Drying can take days, and full cleanup may last a week or more. The pros can give you a timeline after they assess the damage. Act quickly to shorten the process.
Can I clean up a flood myself?
Small spills you can handle, but a real flood needs professional help. The pros have heavy-duty pumps, dehumidifiers, and disinfectants. They also know how to dry walls and floors properly to prevent mold. You can do the initial drying, but leave the deep cleaning to them.
What should I do with wet documents?
Freeze or dry them quickly to stop mold. Put papers in a freezer or lay them flat to air dry. For important records, a professional contents cleaning service may help. Do not let them sit wet for long. If they are too damaged, replace them.