Malaysia is no stranger to flood problem.
Each year, the expected heavy monsoon would hit the East Coast and some area in Kuala Lumpur from November and could last until January.
This leads to thousands of people being relocated to Pusat Pemindahan Sementara (PPS) until it is safe for them to return home.
As a homeowner, there’s nothing more daunting than seeing signs of flooding in your home, like water pooling on the floor or stains creeping up the walls.
You can expect a few important items to suffer permanent damage too, but don’t panic!
It’s important to prepare and plan for how you’re going to deal with safety while cleaning up your property.
Your health and safety should be your top priority during the post-flood clean up. There are several steps you can take to help the clean up process go as smoothly as possible.
Step-by-Step Cleaning After a Flood
1. Wear protective gear
When entering a flooded property, it’s important to remember that the water is highly contaminated.
It could contain sewage, dead animals, or various other harmful substances, and the building might not be safe to walk around that much.
While your instinct might be to jump right into the clean up, your safety should come first. We suggest wearing long pants, rubber boots, and gloves to protect yourself from mold exposure.
Since activities like scrubbing, hosing, or pressure-washing can create a lot of splashes, it’s wise to wear a regular face mask as well.
2. Turn Off All the Electric Utilities
Remember that water and electricity don’t mix!
The first thing you should do when returning home after a flood is to check on all the electrical stuff like your breaker box, fridge, and gas lines.
Make sure to check the power. If it looks like it’s still on, turn it off right away.
Important: Use a battery-operated flashlight to examine your home instead of candles or lighters, as they could ignite flammable materials.
If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately and notify local authorities.
3. Remove the Water
Begin by thoroughly removing all the dirty water and silt from your property as much as you can.
Take your time with this process. Rushing to wash everything away can lead to further damage, so it’s best to clean in stages.
Most injuries happen during the recovery phase after disasters like floods, so prioritise safety and caution once the water has receded.
You can use a bucket or another container to transport the water out. When only a small amount remains, switch to a mop and a nylon hard brush for the final clean up.
Next, grab a shovel to scrape off the mud and debris while it’s still wet. If you wait too long, it’ll harden and be tougher to remove.
Since your home needs to dry from the inside out, you might need to remove any wallpaper. Otherwise, trapped mud and water can lead to wall damage or worse, termite problems.
Important: Use lots of hot water, a sanitizing detergent, and a disinfectant. Hot water has a better ability to dissolve dirt because of its molecular structure, making it more effective than cold water.
4. Toss and Sanitize
Check on the furniture
While cleaning, take a moment to check on all the items inside your property.
For items that are soft and can’t be properly cleaned, like books, mattresses, pillows, curtains, and clothes, you might need to toss them out depending on how bad the water damage is.
As for carpet, furniture and other textiles, double check the level of damage.
If you believe the damage is not too severe, clean, sanitize, and dry each piece of furniture with a germ-killing product like sanitizing soap.
Using a sanitizing product that contains bleach, or a diluted bleach solution will effectively eliminate bacteria, including mold on surfaces that may develop after flooding.
Toss out all the damages
If something’s been sitting in flood water and can’t be cleaned up, it’s time to say goodbye.
I know it’s tough to part with something you love, but keep in mind that flood water can carry nasty sewer stuff, which is pretty gross on its own.
Plus, anything left in water for more than 48 hours can start growing molds.
But don’t just toss them in the trash or leave them on the curb; those items might have some unwanted germs and bacteria.
Instead, put them in plastic bags and take them outside. Depending on local rules, you might need to tag and dispose of them properly if they’ve been contaminated with sewer water.
5. Dry your Property
After you’ve gotten rid of as much water as you can, it’s time to dry out your place.
Open up all the windows and switch on the ceiling fans. If you have any standing fans, aim them at the dampest areas in your home.
Using air circulation and dehumidifiers will help draw moisture out of the air.
Keep the air flowing to prevent molds from setting in. Plus, sunlight is great for zapping those pesky micro-organisms.
6. Contact your insurance
In Malaysia, several companies offer insurance for flood victims, including Allianz, Zurich, and Berjaya Sompo.
According to a report from Bank Negara Malaysia, this improved coverage requires an extra premium and is determined by the underwriting policies of each insurer.
We recommend that you examine their policies and speak with your intermediaries for more detailed information.
Floods are among the deadliest natural disasters and can lead to loss of life. If you or someone you know is affected by the floods in Malaysia, remember to always prioritise safety.
Stick together with others and follow the instructions from local authorities and avoid areas where the water is at its highest.
This year, over 130,000 flood victims have been recorded across eight states in Malaysia.
Kelantan is the most severely impacted state, with 87,788 victims and two deaths, followed by Terengganu, which has recorded 39,220 victims and one death.
At IQI, we’re all about giving you the best info possible while you hunt for your perfect property or home. Whether you need tips on finding a safe spot from natural disaster or guidance on how to apply for home insurance, we’ve got your back in making your dream home a reality. Reach out to our agents today!
Continue Reading:
1. A Beginners Guide to Buying Home Insurance in Malaysia
2. Apa Jadi: If I want to get insurance? Do I go for takaful or conventional? What are the differences?
