Storms Can Lead to Basement Flooding
February 18, 2011
Heavy amounts of snowfall may look pretty outside your windows but that snow can be a real threat when it melts away quickly during a warm up because the resulting water can end up inside your basement.
One of the most harrowing things a homeowner can ever go through is to discover that his/her basement has been flooded. Whether you discover one inch or one foot of water in your basement your first reaction is total shock. However, you need to keep your wits about you because the clock is ticking. If you do not get the water removed, the area cleaned and then dried out completely, harmful mold can begin to grow which would be a whole new problem to deal with.
For your safety, be sure that the electricity is turned off. Do not use matches or a lighter in the area until you are certain that there is no gas leak. Now you have to decide if you will clean the mess up yourself or if you will call for help. If you happen to have flood insurance on your home then the obvious choice would be to call in a flood restoration company. But if you are not covered and do not feel as though you can afford to call a professional company, you will have to tackle the chore yourself.
Consider asking a couple of friends or family members to come and help you. There is a lot to do and you have to work swiftly. If you fail to remove the standing water and get the area dried out within 48 hours, mold will enter the picture and you do not want to have to deal with that. You have enough problems. So get on the phone and beg and plead if you have to. Once you have some help have someone go pick up a portable sump pump, a dehumidifier and a wet/dry vac from a nearby rental center – provided that you do not own this equipment.
Once the water has been pumped and vacuumed out turn on a few large fans and the dehumidifier to dry the basement. This can take at least one full day. Once the area is dried you can then proceed to go around and open cupboards and peek into crawl spaces to double check for dampness. If you discover dampness, move fans in and get those spots dried.
Discard everything that cannot be cleaned. Paper materials like boxes and books will need to be thrown away. Follow the old saying “If in doubt, throw it out”. Once the mess is cleaned up you will need to start sanitizing the walls and floors. Use a solution of one cup of bleach to five gallons of water. Be sure to wear protective clothing and gloves. Run the fans and dehumidifier once again for another twenty-four hours. You should not smell a lot of moisture and humidity at this stage.
While it is a lot of work, cleaning a flooded basement can be done, as long as you have the manpower and correct equipment available. Mother Nature can certainly throw some curve balls your way, but with some good old fashioned will-power and determination, even the wettest basement can be restored.
Major Snowstorm Expected To Bury Midwest
February 1, 2011
The National Weather Service has warned people living in the Midwest that a major
snowstorm is on its way. The service has put a blizzard warning in effect for Chicago where up to twenty inches of snow is possible. Other cities expected to be hit hard are Wichita, Kansas City and Detroit. The snow has already started to fall and is expected to continue through to Wednesday. Winds of up to forty miles per hour will accompany the snow, which could cause chaos as blowing and drifting occurs.
These types of extreme winter weather conditions can do damage to property. However, there are some things that home and business owners who are in in the path of the storm can do to minimize potential damage. For one, it is advisable to keep moisture away from a building by removing snow or water from basement window wells. One way to do this is to create a barrier of packed snow around basement windows to stop water from seeping indoors while also taking the time to clear snow from doors and window areas. Quite often these big blizzards are quickly followed by warming trends, which could quickly turn that pretty white snow into running water that can seep inside buildings very rapidly.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye on snow covered tree branches that hang over homes and places of business. It is obviously best to have weak tree branches cut away during the summer and fall months, but if this has not been done it is possible to remove heavy snow from low hanging branches using a broom. Extreme caution should be used when removing snow from branches and it is never advisable to climb onto snow-covered roofs in order to reach overhanging branches. If need be, call in a snow removal company to do this job for you as it can be perilous.
This type of weather is also a time to remind homeowners to be very diligent when using space heaters and fireplaces. Never, under any circumstances, leave your home with space heaters on or fireplaces burning. If children are present in a home where space heaters are being used, it is important to remind them of the dangers of placing flammable materials near space heaters such as clothing, bedding or curtains.
It is always best to be well-prepared for major snowstorms like the one that is currently building in the Midwest. It is also advisable to have the phone number of an emergency response company handy just in case you find your home or business has been damaged by snow or a flood. Stay on your toes, keep an eye on your local weather reports and don’t go out unless absolutely necessary!
