Consumer Reporter Patricia Lopez has tips on flood cleanup in her Kingwood home

KINGWOOD, Texas (KTRK) -- Consumer Reporter Patricia Lopez shows us what she and her family have been doing to clean up after her Kingwood home was flooded with three feet of water during Hurricane Harvey.

Patricia was a victim of the flooding, like so many of our friends and neighbors. When she was first able to take a look inside her home, she brought our cameras.



Patricia wants viewers to know they're not alone in dealing with this historic, devastating flooding.

"Typically I'm on the other side of this, sharing that story of people who are suffering," she said. "I felt as a journalist I needed to tell my story too, because there are thousands of people that are going through the exact thing that I'm going through."

The home had about two to three feet of water inside, from the damage left behind to walls. Furniture was moved and appliances were toppled. A layer of mud covered the entire floor.

Patricia and her husband elevated what furniture they could in the rush to evacuate with their daughters.
"They have no clue," Patricia said. "We told them that our home was damaged, but they have no idea."

Meanwhile, Patricia said they are in the final phase in the cleanup mode. The cabinets and drywall have been ripped out. She's had a big team of family members and neighbors helping out.

Patricia has also been using a dehumidifier to suck out water, even after six days. And she said she has several floor fans in parts of her home to get into small areas that will stay moist for a while.

And since they got up to three feet of water in the house, she suggests to cut four feet of drywall.

"Those drywall sheets come in four feet sheets. so if you go super high, you're going to have to replace that and that gets pricey," Patricia said.

ServPro came to their house and quoted them $2,500 to clean, but they suggested for Patricia to get OdoBan to help with the growth of mold. She said it saved them money and still serves the same purpose.

Another tip she suggested is to use a brush.

"If you have a spray on insulation, I've been getting in there and spraying it down, and that gets rid of the insulation there. Then you come back and spray it on a clean board," Patricia said.

Flood cleanup supplies:

• Generator
  

• Wheel barrel
  

• Work boots
  

• Safety masks
  

• Gloves

• Eye gear

• Wet vac
  

• Trash bags
  

• Ice chest and water
  

• Spray bottles, chemicals
  

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