Friday, April 17, 1998
If heavy rains got you where it hurts -- in the basement -- here's some homeowner help:
Floors, walls. Remove water and sludge as quickly as possible, then disinfect with spray-on deodorizers, fungicides and mildew inhibitors, available at hardware stores and cleaning-service companies.
Electricity. If water made its way to outlets and wires, hire a licensed contractor or electrician to clean, dry and service the system.
Heating, cooling. Turn off the gas and - or electricity supply to wet appliances. Flooded furnaces and duct work should be cleaned and checked by professionals. Water heaters and air conditioners should be serviced and repaired, if necessary.
Appliances. Let a service technician decide whether an appliance can be saved. Determining factors: age, water levels and time submerged. Furniture. If upholstered pieces have become saturated, they should be scrapped.
Food. Throw out fresh, boxed and bagged foods that have touched floodwater and canned goods that are dented, bulging or leaking. Toys, miscellaneous. Clean and disinfect all surfaces exposed to flood water with a mixture of 1/2 cup to 1 cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water. Soft, plush or porous items should be discarded. Pumps, vacuums, dehumidifiers, power washers, augers and oversize fans are available at rental companies.
If weather permits, open doors and windows and turn on fans to speed the drying process.
For information, call your local health department or cooperative extension service.
Sources: Federal Emergency Management Agency, cq American Red Cross, and electrical, plumbing and heating experts.
