Waterlogged home creates cleanup dilemma
Last Friday, I received a panic call from a young lady by the name of Liz. She said she'd just got home, unlocked the front door and water gushed out. She said she had read my articles and wanted to know what to do.
I asked her if the electrical breaker box was on the outside of her home, and she said it was. I advised her to turn off the power first and then turn off the water to her home. I told her that I would be right over. I turned the job that we were working on over to my son and departed for Liz's home.
On arrival at her home, I found a very frustrated lady up to her ankles in water. After a brief discussion and investigation, I found that a dishwasher hose had broken, flooding her home. Fortunately for Liz, she lived in a split-level home which prevented the water from going to the second level. I reassured Liz that I could take care of the problem and advised her to call her insurance agent, which she promptly did. We started the cleanup process immediately.
In this week's article, I thought I would share with you some of the questions that Liz had about the cleanup process.
Question: How are you going to dry out my house?
Answer: I assured Liz that we would use three 20-gallon wet vacuums to suck up the bulk of the water. Then we would use a 300hp extraction machine to pull out must of the remaining moisture from the floors and carpets. We would install two industrial dehumidifiers after sealing off the contaminated area to pull out any remaining moisture. To finish off the process, we would install eight turbo fans to finish drying the area.
Q: Will my new carpet pads rot or dissolve?
A: After checking her pads, I told her most pads are made out of non-water-sensitive foam bonded with dry solvent-soluable adhesive and hers were of that type.
Q: Will the seams of my carpet separate?
A: After checking her seams, I found that the installers used a non-water-soluble adhesive to seal her seams. Should they split, they could be easily repaired.
Q: Will my carpets stink after they are dry:
A: Our usual practice was to apply an antimicrobial product that would inhibit mold growth, mildew and bacteria.
Q.What about my furniture?
A: After the home was dry, the upholstery and carpets would be cleaned and retreated with a disinfectant product. Also, the hard furniture and floors would be washed and polished.
Q: What about my walls?
A: The walls would be washed and repainted if necessary.
Q: Will my carpets shrink?
A: Only poorly installed carpets will come loose from the walls. However, they could be re-stretched if required.
Q. Will my carpets fall apart?
A: That was unlikely because during the milling process, carpets are immersed in water many times during the dyeing and rinsing process. Synthetic fibers that are used today are virtually unaffected by water for up to 48 hours.
Liz was very happy to get the use of her home after it was cleaned up. Thank you, Liz, for your very kind comments. It was my pleasure.
Note: Never step into standing water with the electrical power on. Always turn off the power before attempting repairs.
If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabrics and paints before using any chemical compound. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes.
If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Services (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?
Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper and certified fire, water and mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services, which specializes in commercial, residential construction, and crime scene cleanup.