--- title: "Floodwater Restoration Procedure: The Pittsburgh Protocol" description: This procedure is known as the Pittsburgh protocol. Its use is advised for structures that have been exposed to Category 3 water (mainly rising groundwater floods such as experienced following recent hurricanes) for extended periods of time. image: https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/Floodwater%20Restoration%20Procedure%20The%20Pittsburgh%20Protocol.jpg --- - [Home](https://aramsco.com) - [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com) [![Aramsco](https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/Aramsco_May2019/Image/logo.png)](https://www.aramsco.com/) - [Home](https://aramsco.com) - [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com) - Account - [locations](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/locations/) - [education](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/education/) - [about us](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/aboutus/) # Pro's Corner ## [Floodwater Restoration Procedure: The Pittsburgh Protocol](https://blog.aramsco.com/floodwater-restoration-procedure-the-pittsburgh-protocol) Posted by Tom Forsythe on Jul 26th 2022 This procedure is known as the Pittsburgh protocol. Its use is advised for structures that have been exposed to Category 3 water (mainly rising groundwater floods such as those experienced following recent hurricanes) for extended periods of time. This procedure meets IICRC guidelines. There are less rigorous procedures for category 3 contamination that can be quickly remediated (a toilet overflow for example). There is also an alternate procedure known as the Carolina Protocol.   ## **Steps to flood remediation** 1. Remove and dispose of floodwater-saturated carpet, carpet padding, drywall, plaster, insulation, and other highly absorbent building materials. 2. Rinse mud and visible soil from exposed wooden studding, joists, rafters, sub-floors, metal studs, cement block and masonry walls, and cement floors. or other building materials wetted by floodwater. Use low-pressure (not high-pressure) water for this rinsing. The goal is to move the soil off the surface and avoid driving it into the material. Use of a surfactant/detergent such as Vission or [Viper 7](https://www.aramsco.com/hydro-force-hard-surface-cleaner-viper-7-neutral-cleaner-1-gallon.html) is helpful. 3. Foam the surfaces with a disinfectant solution. Dilute according to label directions. Examples include Microban Disinfectant Spray Plus; a ready-to-use solution of Germicidal Cleaner Concentrate; [Benefect Botanical Disinfectant](https://www.aramsco.com/benefect-antimicrobial-benefect-botanical-decon-30-cleaner-disinfectant-5-gallons.html); Concrobium Broad Spectrum Disinfectant; Sporicidin Disinfectant Solution, and Bactibarrier Cleaner/Disinfectant. Allow it to dwell (10 to 30 minutes). The Foam-It Jr. is very effective for this service. 4. Follow up by controlled pressure washing with a solution of Germicidal Cleaner Concentrate (2 ounces Germicidal Cleaner Concentrate per gallon of water);[Benefect Botanical Decon 30](https://www.aramsco.com/benefect-antimicrobial-benefect-botanical-decon-30-cleaner-disinfectant-5-gallons.html) (ready-to-use); or Bactibarrier Detergent/Disinfectant (2 ounces per gallon of water) to cleanse and remove surface contaminants. Controlled pressure washing with a small pressure washer (1750 PSI @ 1.6 GPM) uses as little as 4 ounces of solution per square foot of surface area. 5. Use a soft bristle brush to agitate the solution into cracks and crevices of cement floors, and masonry walls. 6. Clear water rinse floors and walls. 7. Re-clean floors and walls with a pressure washer. 8. After wood surfaces drip dry, use an airless paint sprayer to [apply SurfaceShield (by ProRestore Products)](https://www.aramsco.com/prorestore-mold-prevention-surfaceshield-plus-mold-coating-clear-5-gallons.html), a highly permeable antifungal protective coating. Similar products are also available from other vendors. 9. Dry the structure by using dehumidifiers or auxiliary heaters and [air movers](https://www.aramsco.com/dri-eaz-air-mover-velo-1-9-amps-blue.html).     By Scott Warrington. Most of the above information was provided by Legend Brands.   ## Enjoyed reading this post? 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