In addition to this short reference, see the more detailed homeowners' guide Cleaning Up After The Flood (see Related Documents, below).

Be safe and follow all safety precautions. In particular, follow safe practices when dealing with electricity, natural gas, and the building structure.

After you ensure that it is safe to enter your home, the following actions may be considered:

• Rescue the most valuable items first;
• Protect your home from further damage --
  • Get fresh air moving through the home by leaving the doors and windows open (weather permitting);
  • Patch holes in the roof, walls or windows to prevent the further entry of rainwater;
  • Repair sagging floors or roof sections;
  • Remove debris;
• Check for broken or leaking water pipes by shutting off all taps and then checking the water meter to see if water is flowing through it;
• Carefully drain the basement, if required. It is important to do this slowly, as water pressure in the surrounding ground could cause the basement walls to collapse. Detailed instructions are contained in the Cleaning Up After The Flood booklet (Related Documents, below).

Remember to contact your insurance representative before discarding any items.

After flooding occurs, assume that the water in your home is not safe to drink, even if it appears to be clear.

Information about communal water supplies can be obtained from the owners (typically the municipality). Private water supplies should be serviced and treated as well as tested to ensure the safety of the water.

For a well, this could include shock chlorination of the well and distribution piping and repeated testing for several months.

More detailed information on dealing with private water supplies can be found in the Cleaning Up After the Flood document in Related Documents, below. 

Flood waters, whether or not there has been sewage back-up, should be considered contaminated water and treated as such. However, if your home has been flooded by sewage, it is important you take the following precautions:

• Do not move back into the house to live in until after the cleanup;
• Children, pregnant women and others with health issues should not enter the clean-up area;
• While you may enter the house for clean-up, ensure there is good ventilation by opening windows, using fans, and similar methods;
• Wear proper protective equipment during clean-up;
• Use all precautions given in the Cleaning Up After the Flood document (below) about electricity, energy, and other hazards;
• All soft furnishings (carpets, mattresses, etc.) should be discarded as they cannot be cleaned or sanitized if damaged with sewage;
• Do not start preparing food in your kitchen until your basement and other areas contaminated with sewage have been cleaned and sanitized.