How can the mud brought by flooding be removed?
And can it be put to any use?
The flooding in 2024 has caused many households to suffer significant damage to life and property. Although the water level in some provinces has decreased, what comes with the water has not disappeared, which is “Mud”.
If anyone has been following the flood situation, they will see that when the water level drops, mud will be seen in almost every area. In some households, the mud is as high as the house itself, which causes a great deal of stress for the people in cleaning their houses and removing mud from their homes.
What is Mud?
Mud is a sedimentary mass that is not dry and has not hardened. It is a mixture formed by combining soil, minerals, rocks and water. It is sticky and viscous. When wet, it becomes liquid and flexible. The main components of mud are usually clay and silt. It may be contaminated with sand and various minerals in varying amounts depending on the source.
Mud is often formed in conditions with a lot of water, such as heavy rain, flooding, or areas with standing water, causing the soil to absorb a lot of water and turn into mud. When the mud hardens, it will harden like a stone. Cleaning a large amount of mud must be done while the mud is still sticky and viscous. Otherwise, if the mud dries, it may be difficult to clean. In addition, mud is also a source of disease because mud often carries germs. Therefore, it should not be touched or put into the body. Diseases that often come from mud include leptospirosis, wormwood disease, and skin diseases.
How to clean your home if there is a lot of mud in your home
Cleaning a house with a lot of mud must be done before the mud is completely dry, because the mud will harden if it dries, and it will be even harder to remove. Here’s how to do it:
1. Move everything that can be lifted out of the house. Be careful of poisonous animals that may be in hidden corners and piles of things.
2. Store water in a large tank. If you don’t have tap water, use murky river water to wash first. Or if you can find a high-pressure water gun, it would be even better. It is recommended to use an engine water pump, but not an electric one to prevent electric shock. You should turn off the circuit breaker for the whole house and use a screwdriver to test the voltage to make sure that the plugs are not charged.
3. Wear boots to prevent slippery floors, poisonous animals, and foreign objects that come with the mud.
4. If the mud is as high as your shins or waists, do not use a hoe to scoop up the soil. Find a fire engine or large water truck to spray water to remove the mud from the house. However, the house must be higher than the ground level outside the house to use this method.
5. After cleaning inside the house, wash the muddy items before moving them into the house.
But there is a lot of mud. What else can it be used for besides throwing it away?
The mud that comes with the flood can be used for many things. It depends on the characteristics and components of that mud, such as:
1. Improving agricultural soil: If there are suitable minerals or chemicals, it can be used to help make the soil more fertile for growing crops.
2. Producing bricks or construction materials: If the mud or soil is sticky, it can be used as a material for making clay bricks or construction materials.
3. Preventing soil erosion: Used to strengthen areas along the river or embankment to help prevent soil erosion.
However, before using mud, check the components of the mud first to see if it can be used. Because mud that comes with the flood may contain chemicals.
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