For starters, don’t call the fire department unless it’s beyond your control.
By Chad Umble
Published Jun 28, 2006 14:05
Safety should be the first consideration, said Phil Colvin, deputy director of Lancaster County Emergency Management.
Turn off electrical appliances, and remove anything with fuel oil — like kerosene heaters — to prevent contamination and the risk of electric shock, he said.
If flooding begins, use a sump pump or Shop vac to try to minimize it. Sump pumps funnel water through a crushed-stone foundation under the basement floor to a pump that shoots it outside.
While the pumps usually work, big storms can overwhelm them.
If water gets too high or starts to crumble walls, some fire departments may assist with pumping the water, Colvin said.
However, homeowners should take steps to handle their own flooded basements and should not rely on assistance from fire departments, which may be too busy to help.
At the first sign of possible flooding, homeowners should remove valuables and any absorbent materials, like upholstered furniture.
Then, try to prevent water from soaking carpets and drywall.
However, when flood water soaks a carpet, there may be little to do since the water can contain unknown contaminants.
“Once it wets the carpet, it is pretty much all the same,” said Steve Rotay, general manager for Paul Davis, a restoration company.
“If you can’t keep up with it, don’t hurt yourself,” said Davis, adding that two feet of water is no worse than one foot.
But once flood waters recede, it is important to quickly dry absorbent material to inhibit the growth of mold, which can begin forming in two days.
Large dehumidifiers and fans can help, but homeowners should consider getting professional help, especially for carpeting, several water restoration experts said.
Even if the top of the carpet is dry, the padding may still be wet and become an environment for mold, said Michael Keller, owner of Air Quality Solutions in Lancaster.
For homeowners, the recent rains may also point to problems that can be easily corrected.
Clogged downspouts spilling water too close to the house, clogged gutters and low spots that collect water near a house’s foundation can all be taken care of with routine maintenance.
Also, cracks in driveways and sidewalks should be repaired to prevent water from seeping into the basement.
