Flood Cleanup
A checklist, plus what to throw away, dry or disinfect.
By Jonathan West · reviewed 2026-10-28 ·how we research these
The best way to start flood cleanup is to stay out until power, gas and structure are safe. Then photograph the damage for your insurer, remove standing water, and dry the house within 24 to 48 hours if you can. Throw away porous items you cannot clean or dry quickly, then clean and disinfect the hard surfaces.
Call a professional for sewage, mold covering more than about 10 square feet, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that may be contaminated, or any health concern. A crew that asks for cash up front is a red flag. If your house has structural damage, a gas smell or a sewage backup, skip the do-it-yourself steps and call the right professional. Anyone on a private well should not use the well until it has been tested.
At DIY Repair Guide, we compiled these steps from published guidance by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). We are not licensed electricians, plumbers, building inspectors, mold remediators or contractors.
What to Do First, in Order
Work in this order: safety first, then photos, then water removal, drying and disinfecting.
- Stay out of the house until power, gas and structure are checked safe.
- Keep children out of floodwater and away from toys the water touched. Wash hands often with soap, especially before eating and drinking.
- Photograph everything before anything is thrown away.
- Report the loss to your insurer. If you have a flood insurance policy, FEMA says to give prompt written notice and to ask about an advance payment.
- Remove standing water and dry the indoor areas.
- Throw away anything that has been wet for more than 24 to 48 hours, and anything else you cannot clean or dry quickly.
- Clean hard surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect them with 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.
- Call a professional for sewage, mold over about 10 square feet, a possibly contaminated HVAC system or health concerns.
Check Power, Gas and Structure Before You Go In
Never turn power on or off while you stand in water, and never use an electric tool or appliance in water. The CDC says to shut off main power from a dry location if you can. If you cannot, call an electrician, who should inspect the electrical system before power is restored. For electrician price ranges, see our electrician cost page.
If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows and leave the house immediately. Avoid anything that could create a spark. Do not return until you are told the house is safe.
If the home has damage, do not go back in until a building inspector has examined it for safety. The CDC's reentry guidance covers this and the steps for power and gas.
Do not drive or walk across flooded roads, because cars and people can be swept away. Return during the day when you can. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns. Do not use candles or open flames.
Never use a generator, pressure washer or any gasoline-powered engine inside the home. The CDC says to keep them at least 20 feet from any door, window or vent, even with the doors and windows open. The EPA adds that a generator should never run inside a home, garage, crawlspace or shed, because carbon monoxide can be deadly. Our carbon monoxide detector page covers CO alarms, which matter when a generator runs after an outage.
When power lines are down, water is in your home, or before you evacuate, turn off gas, power and water, according to the CDC's flood preparation guidance. Unplug appliances so they do not shock you when power comes back on. Turn power off only from a dry location, as described above.
Photograph Everything Before You Throw Anything Away
FEMA says to take photos and videos of the damage, including the items you plan to throw out. Take them before anything goes in the trash. The FEMA guidance lists these photos:
- Photos and videos of the damage, including items you plan to throw out.
- For appliances and electronics, the make, model and serial number.
- Swatches of building materials, kept before you dispose of them.
- Damaged flooring, wallpaper and drapes, photographed before disposal.
- Perishable food, clothing and cushions that pose a health risk: photograph them, then throw them away.
What to Tear Out, Dry or Disinfect
The CDC's cleanup guidance says to throw away anything you cannot clean or dry quickly. The table below shows what each source says for common materials.
At DIY Repair Guide, we compiled this table from the CDC, EPA and FEMA pages linked in the text, and we cross-checked each row against the page it cites. Each row names its source in parentheses.
For cleanup, wear rubber boots and plastic gloves, as the CDC advises. Mold cleanup calls for goggles, an N-95 respirator and protective gloves. Sewage cleanup calls for rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles.
| Material | What the sources say to do | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding and upholstered furniture | Throw away anything you cannot clean or dry quickly (CDC). | Photograph before disposal (FEMA). |
| Pillows, foam-rubber items, books and paper products | Throw away anything you cannot clean or dry quickly (CDC). | Photograph before disposal (FEMA). |
| Drywall and insulation | Remove drywall and insulation contaminated with sewage or floodwater (CDC). | Sewage contamination is a professional trigger (EPA). |
| Wall coverings, cloth and rugs | Throw away items that cannot be disinfected (CDC). | Photograph damaged wallpaper before disposal (FEMA). |
| Ceiling tiles and carpet | May have to be thrown away if they become moldy (EPA). | Applies to mold, from the EPA mold cleanup page. |
| Hard surfaces such as walls and hard floors | Scrub with soap and water first, then disinfect with 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water (CDC). Dry completely (EPA). | Never use bleach in a closed space or mix it with ammonia (CDC). |
| Clothing and other washable items | Clean with hot water and laundry or dish detergent (CDC). | FEMA lists clothing among health-risk items to throw away after you photograph them. |
| Stuffed animals and baby toys | Throw out toys you cannot clean (CDC). | Keep children away from toys floodwater contaminated (EPA). |
| Food | Throw away food that may have touched flood or storm water (CDC). | 'When in doubt, throw it out' (CDC). Perishable food is also a FEMA health-risk item. |
| Appliances and electronics | Photograph the make, model and serial number before disposal (FEMA). | No source here gives a cleaning method for appliances. |
Drying the House and Stopping Mold
The EPA says mold control comes down to moisture control. After a flood, remove standing water, dry indoor areas, and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24 to 48 hours.
The CDC says to clean up and dry the home within 24 to 48 hours after the storm or flood ends, if possible. Air out the house and use fans to dry wet areas, blowing air outdoors or out windows. The CDC's flood preparation guidance also lists air conditioning units and dehumidifiers for drying.
Fix leaks in roofs, walls or plumbing as soon as possible. If water enters a basement during heavy rain, our sump pump page covers a pump that fails during heavy rain.
The EPA's mold cleanup page says you can usually clean a moldy area of less than about 10 square feet yourself. That is roughly a 3 foot by 3 foot patch, which works out to 9 square feet, so a patch that size sits just under the line. Above about 10 square feet, hire a professional.
Dry all items completely, and scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water before you dry them. For disinfecting, the CDC mixes 1 cup of household bleach with 1 gallon of water. Open windows and doors before you use bleach, because it should never be used in a closed space. Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
For mold cleanup, the CDC says to wear goggles, an N-95 respirator and protective gloves.
When Floodwater Carries Sewage or You Have a Well
The EPA says to avoid or limit direct contact with floodwater, which may contain raw sewage or other hazardous substances. Wash hands often with soap, especially before eating and drinking. Report cuts or open wounds and any symptoms of illness.
Early symptoms of exposure can include upset stomach, intestinal problems, headache and flu-like discomfort. The EPA says to seek medical attention for these symptoms.
If the water or mold damage came from sewage, the EPA says to hire a professional. The CDC says to remove drywall and insulation contaminated with sewage or floodwater. For sewage cleanup, the CDC says to wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles.
The EPA says not to turn on a household well pump, because of the risk of electric shock. Do not drink or wash with well water until it has been tested and is safe. The CDC's reentry guidance says to get the water tested before using a private well in a flood-prone area.
The EPA says to bring water to a rolling boil for one full minute to kill major waterborne bacteria, or for three minutes above 5,280 feet. The EPA flooding page says to check with the local drinking water utility or health department about boil water advisories.
When to Call a Pro Instead
The EPA says to hire a professional for sewage or other contaminated water, and for mold over 10 square feet. Its mold cleanup page names three more triggers: a possibly contaminated HVAC system, lots of water damage and health concerns.
For health concerns, the EPA's mold cleanup page says a health professional should be consulted before cleanup starts. If you smell gas, leave now. Do not return until you are told it is safe.
Hire a contractor with mold cleanup experience, and ask for references. Electrical work goes to a licensed electrician, and the electrician cost page covers that trade.
The EPA says you can usually do the cleanup yourself when a moldy area is under about 10 square feet. Any one of the triggers above moves the job to a professional.
Call a professional for sewage, mold over about 10 square feet, an HVAC system that may be contaminated, structural damage or any health concern. If you smell gas, leave the house now and do not return until you are told it is safe.
How to Spot a Flood Cleanup Scam Before You Pay
The FTC says to walk away from anyone who demands personal information or money upfront. Be skeptical of anyone promising immediate cleanup and repairs.
Do not pay by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or cash. The FTC says scammers prefer these methods because the money moves fast and is nearly impossible to get back.
Ask for IDs, licenses and proof of insurance before you pay anyone. Hold the final payment until the work is finished and you are satisfied. The FTC says not to believe promises that are not in writing.
FEMA does not charge application fees. Anyone who asks for money to help you qualify for FEMA funds is running a scam. The FTC says only scammers will claim to be a government official and ask for money, a card, a bank account or a Social Security number.
After emergencies, scammers often pose as government officials, charities or contractors. The FTC suggests asking people you know and trust for contractor recommendations. Then search online for the company's name with words like 'scam' or 'complaint', as its alert on planning ahead to avoid scams describes.
Report a suspected scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Red flags to walk away from:
- Anyone who demands personal information or money upfront.
- Promises of immediate cleanup and repairs.
- Requests to pay by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or cash.
- Promises that are not in writing.
- Requests for payment before you have seen IDs, licenses and proof of insurance.
Next Steps for Flood Cleanup
Stay out until power, gas and structure are checked safe, and wait for a building inspector if the home is damaged. Then photograph the damage and call your insurer or agent. Dry the house within 24 to 48 hours if possible, throw away anything you cannot clean or dry quickly, and disinfect hard surfaces. At DIY Repair Guide, we compiled this sequence and the material table from CDC, EPA, FEMA and FTC guidance and did no testing of our own. A professional does the job when there is sewage, mold over about 10 square feet, a possibly contaminated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or a health concern. Photograph the damage before you start flood cleanup, and call your insurer or agent promptly.
Common questions
What is the best way to clean up after a flood?
Start with safety: stay out until power, gas and structure are safe. Then photograph the damage, remove standing water, and dry the house within 24 to 48 hours if you can. Throw away items you cannot clean or dry quickly, clean hard surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect them with 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Call a professional for sewage, mold over about 10 square feet, a possibly contaminated HVAC system or health concerns.
How long do you have to dry out a house after a flood?
The CDC says to clean up and dry the home within 24 to 48 hours after the storm or flood ends, if possible. The EPA says to remove and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24 to 48 hours. No source gives a total drying time for a whole house.
What should you throw away after a flood?
Throw away anything you cannot clean or dry quickly. The CDC lists mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings and paper products. It also says to remove drywall and insulation contaminated with sewage or floodwater, and to throw out toys you cannot clean. Throw away food that may have touched flood water, and photograph items before you dispose of them.
Can clothes and other wet items be saved after a flood?
Some can. The CDC says to clean all wet items and surfaces with hot water and laundry or dish detergent. The sources give no separate rule for each garment. FEMA lists clothing among items that pose a health risk and says to throw them away after you photograph them, so photograph wet clothing first.
Does homeowners insurance pay for flood cleanup?
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood. Rising water or storm surge is usually covered by a separate flood policy, and whether a given loss is covered depends on your policy wording, so call your insurer or agent. FEMA's claim guidance covers National Flood Insurance Program policies and says to give prompt written notice of your loss. The adjuster generally contacts you within 24 to 48 hours after you report the claim, and an advance payment is deducted from the final claim payment.
How do you spot a flood cleanup scam?
Walk away from anyone who demands personal information or money upfront, or who promises immediate cleanup and repairs. Red flags include requests to pay by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or cash. FEMA does not charge application fees, so anyone asking for money to help you qualify for FEMA funds is running a scam. Report a suspected scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.