Hurricanes, tropical storms, and the accompanying rain and flooding can wreak havoc on an artist’s career and studio. It’s important to know what to do in the event that your home, studio, or work area has been flooded. Fortunately, CERF+ has a number of resources and videos to help. Keep reading to learn more about staying safe in a flooded space, mold mitigation, assessing the severity of the flood damage, salvaging wet hard drives and other digital storage media, and other tips to recover from a flood.
Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Pro? Some cleanup operations are best left to professionals. If the damaged area is greater than 10 sq. ft., using a commercial company specializing in disaster recovery is advisable. The DIY or Hire a Pro page on our website can help you determine the best approach based on your situation.
Staying Safe in a Flooded Studio – When you’re cleaning out a flooded studio, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to your health and safety. Depending on the type of physical, electrical, or chemical disaster you’re working with, PPE typically includes: clothing, gloves, goggles, masks, and other garments and equipment designed to protect you from toxic environments. In this four-minute video, art conservator, M.J. Davis demonstrates simple PPE for flood cleanup that can minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious injuries and illnesses.
DIY Techniques for Preventing Mold – If your home, studio, or workspace has been flooded, please watch our video on DIY Techniques to Prevent a Mold Outbreak to your artwork. Mold can develop within 48 hours, so the sooner you act, the better.
Salvaging Water-Damaged Electronics – If your computer, hard drive, or digital storage devices were affected by water, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage. The Salvaging Wet Hard Drives + Other Digital Storage Media section is a great resource to help you assess the situation and come up with a plan.
Take Steps Today to Get Ready – You can never be too prepared. The January 2019 Tip of the Month includes a wealth of information about preventative steps you can take to minimize the risk of water damage to your studio. Additionally, the Studio Protector is a great resource and includes a comprehensive list of Disaster Specific Planning Resources.