Homes - Clean Up & Repair

Information on cleaning up and repairing your home after a disaster provided by the Texas A&M Agrilife Disaster Extension Network:

Cleaning up after a disaster can be a long, difficult task. If your home has been affected by a disaster such as a flood, everything touched by water is considered contaminated. You should either throw out the damaged items or disinfect them.

Use the resources below to restore your home and belongings.

• Returning Home After a Disaster: Supply List ( En Español )
• Cleaning Flood-damaged Homes ( En Español )
• Controlling Blow Flies (PDF) ( En Español )
• Controlling Houseflies ( En Español )
• Dry Out Before Rebuilding (PDF)
• Hiring a Reputable Contractor (PDF)
• How to Remove Smoke Smell from a Home ( En Español )
• Mold after a Flood or Severe Water Damage (PDF) ( En Español )
• Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Protect Yourself and Others after a Chemical Fire (PDF)
• Replacing Personal Documents After a Natural Disaster (PDF)
• Removing odors and smells from refrigerators and freezers after food has spoiled (PDF) (En Español )
• Selecting Mold Remediation Contractors (PDF) ( En Español )

Additional Resources:

• Save Your Treasures the Right Way (PDF)
• Returning to Your Flood-Damaged Home
• Restoring Your Home After a Natural Disaster
• Addressing Mold After a Natural Disaster
• Avoiding Mold Hazards in Your Flooded Home
• Hiring Mold Removal Contractors (PDF)
• Potential Environmental Health Hazards When Returning to Homes and Businesses
• Rehabbing Flooded Houses: A Guide for Builders and Contractors (PDF)

Burn Piles

Officials are asking landowners not to burn brush piles until they have been searched by recovery crews, with the exception of brush piles created by landowners. (If the storm piled it, don’t burn it. If you created the pile, you may burn it.)