What to throw away after a flood (and what you can save)

Why does so much have to go after a flood?

Floodwater is not clean water. CDC says it may contain sewage, chemicals and sharp objects, and the S500 restoration standard lists “all forms of flooding from seawater” and “rising water from rivers or streams” among its Category 3 examples, its most contaminated grade. Porous materials that soaked it up now hold that contamination.

Time is the second problem. EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and CDC says to throw away anything you cannot clean or dry quickly. So the rule is simple: porous and wet means gone, hard and non-porous means clean it.

Before the first bag goes out, photograph everything. FEMA’s NFIP claims checklist says not to discard anything before the adjuster sees it, unless it is a health hazard or local law requires removal, and to keep samples of carpet, flooring and blinds. This page is the sorting list; the muck-out sequence is in our flood cleanup guide, and the flood hub covers insurance and aid.

The sorting table: throw away, clean and keep, or depends

What can you usually clean and keep?

EPA’s “What Can I Keep?” guide puts metal furniture, plastic furniture, china, dishware, ceramics, glass, silverware, kitchen utensils and jewelry in the keep-and-clean group. The FEMA and Red Cross repair guide adds that wood studs and sills do not need replacing if they dry properly.

Wash hard items with soap and water, then disinfect. The repair guide says to wash dishes by hand in a disinfectant and air dry them. Clothing is a maybe: IICRC says a machine wash with at least a 10-minute soak in detergent and hot water should remove most contamination.

How do you save documents, photos and electronics?

Freeze what you cannot dry today. The Library of Congress says to set wet papers out to air dry immediately, and if they cannot be dried within two days, to prepare and freeze them. The FEMA and Red Cross guide gives the home version: rinse off the mud, bag photos and books in plastic, and keep them in a frost-free freezer until you have time to clean them. FEMA’s heirloom fact sheet says to rinse photographs carefully in clean water and air dry gently indoors.

Electronics and appliances are different. CPSC says wet appliances should be evaluated by a qualified technician before use, and that gas control valves, circuit breakers and fuses that were under water must be replaced. Do not test anything by plugging it in. Record the make, model and serial number and set it aside.

What does the adjuster need before you haul it out?

FEMA’s NFIP claims checklist says to take photos and videos of all damage from multiple angles and distances, including water lines inside and outside, and to list damaged items with descriptions, values, make, model and serial number. It also says to keep samples of carpet or flooring and blinds.

Separate damaged property from undamaged property so the adjuster can inspect it. If a pile is a health hazard, the checklist says you may discard it, so photograph it first and tell your insurer. Our guides to documenting your claim and flood vs water damage explain what each adjuster looks for. Once the tear-out is done, the drying clock is running: see mold after a flood.