Health Checklist for Repairing Your Flood Damaged Home

"Health Checklist for Repairing Your Flooded Home" is available in Portable Document Format (PDF, 17KB, 2pg.).

We recognize that many homes in your area were affected by recent floodwaters and people are busy filing applications for state and federal assistance to repair their homes. At this point, you might be starting those necessary repairs and could find the following checklist helpful. Additional information and contacts are listed below.

  • Never use an emergency generator indoors (including garages). Always run the generator outdoors, away from open windows and doors. See fact sheet Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency.
  • Remove water soaked porous materials like wallboard, insulation, carpeting, wood paneling and wallpaper from your home. See booklet Repairing Your Flooded Home (American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency publication).
  • Dry out your home before rebuilding to prevent mold growth - open windows/doors, use fans, and dehumidifiers. See fact sheets Get Rid of Mold and Protect Yourself from Mold after a Flood.
  • When removing water damaged materials containing mold, use a recommended respirator (N95) for protection. See fact sheet How to Use a Disposable Respirator.
  • Flooded drinking water wells should be disinfected first with bleach and then tested several days later to ensure that the water is safe to drink. Flooded/damaged wells should be disinfected as detailed in the fact sheet Flood Recovery – Restoring Water Wells.
  • Flooded septic systems will need time to dry out so restrict the use of toilets, sinks, showers, and laundry to prevent sewage backups both inside and outside the home. See fact sheet Flooded Private Sewage Systems.
  • Flooded heating systems (including air ducts) should be checked by a qualified professional and repaired or replaced as necessary.
  • If repairing or replacing your damaged heating system, check for asbestos. Follow special guidelines for removing asbestos. See fact sheet Asbestos in Your Home.
  • Check for damages and leaks to any heating oil tank. Follow-up with your fuel supplier and local health department if odors or leaks are discovered. See fact sheet Residential Oil Spills and Flooding: What Homeowners Need to Know.
  • Flood damaged hazardous household materials (pesticides, fertilizers, paints, varnishes) should be placed in a leak proof container and removed from the home for proper disposal.
  • For homes built before 1978, use safe work practices to avoid exposure to lead paint when removing walls, windows, and doors. See booklet Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.

Helpful Information

Copies of the following fact sheets and other helpful flood related information can be obtained by visiting any New York State Disaster Service Center or by calling the local Health department listed at the bottom of this page. Fact sheets are also available online at the various agency websites listed blow.

The fact sheets listed below are available from the New York State Department of Health:

The fact sheets listed below are available from the Center for Disease Control:

The fact sheets listed below are available from the Environmental Protection Agency:

For questions/concerns, please contact your local health department.