Important Tips When Dealing With A Flooded Basement

Being confronted with a flooded basement when you arrive home, or feeling powerless to stop the flood waters from submerging the basement is something that many people will find massively frustrating.  And getting on with the drainage and cleaning process will be at the forefront of their minds as they look to get back to normality.  However, flood water cannot be treated in the same way as clean water, and there are a number of things that will be very important in dealing with the aftermath of a flooded basement, which can make a big difference in actually successfully getting things back to how they were.

One of the biggest things that must be remembered when dealing with a flooded basement is to be very cautious in coming into contact with the water, as it will often have elements of sewage in it, and will usually be very dirty water that can carry bacteria and many other horrible germs that can cause different diseases.  Of course, people will want to get on with the drainage of that flooded basement so that they can get on with actually cleaning up, but even getting a small amount of the water into the body can be very dangerous, and it is vital to wash thoroughly after coming into contact with flood water.

Another important tip for people dealing with a flooded basement if they are hoping to salvage something from the basement is to get it dried as quickly as possible.  Although fabrics and carpets can recover from flood damage, it is vital to clean and shampoo them quickly, and then to dry them, which can hopefully mean they are still usable.  However, the problem with a flooded basement is that items will usually have been submerged for some time in the flood water, and even if it is dried out, the water will have permeated everything, and it may retain an odor regardless of how many times it is cleaned.

When it comes to the aftermath of a flooded basement, the most important thing of all is to make sure that everything is fully dried out before starting on any repairs.  And especially in the case of wood and plaster, the fact that it can be dry to the touch will not necessarily mean that it is dry the whole way through.  This is very important, as carrying out repairs too early can actually mean that when more of the water retained in the surface will seep out and ruin the work carried out in repairs and getting things back to working order.

Dealing with a flooded basement isn’t pleasant for anyone, but for those who have no knowledge of what is required and aren’t getting any support from an insurance company, speaking with a professional who will know all of the effects that can be seen from a flooded basement is very important.  It isn’t difficult to get the right advice, but without it, what may have seemed like a simple flooded basement can quickly become something a lot more serious.

Lee Soaks The Southeast...

Tropical Storm Lee slammed New Orleans with more than a foot of rain and spawned tornadoes as far inland as Atlanta over the Labor Day weekend, maintaining a snail’s pace that threatened to cause severe flooding across much of the southeastern United States.

Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi coastal areas reporting wind and flood damage, but the good news was that the New Orleans levees appeared to hold, something they failed to do six years ago when Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast.

By Monday, more than 14 inches of rain had fallen in the Big Easy, but pumps and drainage systems did their job well, refusing to allow the elements to get a foot hold and cause any serious damage.  Forecasters agreed that the chance for severe flooding would become more serious as the remnants of Lee moved slowly inland. 

It was Lee’s snail pace that made cause for concern.  The longer the storm lingered over a given area, the more rain could be dumped, with undesirable consequences.  Forecasters predicted results similar to what was seen in Vermont following the arrival of Hurricane Irene more than a week ago.

As of Monday night, three deaths had been attributed to Lee, including a body boarder off the Texas coast who died when he was pulled out to sea in a heavy surf that had been churned up by the storm. 

As many as 200,000 lost power across Alabama as the storm moved through, with most of the outages in the 

Birmingham area, Alabama Power spokeswoman Keisa Sharpe said. By early Tuesday, the number of outages was down to 187,000, she said. Power outages were also reported in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina.

Chainsaws and tarps were brought out in Georgia to repair the damage caused be severe rains and tornadoes that occurred over the holiday weekend.   The Georgia Emergency Management Agency said about 100 homes were damaged there in Cherokee County, about 30 miles north of Atlanta.

In Alabama, the State Fair in Huntsville was a washout, with workers disassembling rides as early as 4PM instead of the usual 8PM closing time. 

Rain is expected to be a factor across the southeast through the weekend, as Lee finishes blowing itself out.  Residents should still be on the lookout for flood waters and other damage related to the storm.

Water Damage Local.com is a national network of IICRC certified water restoration providers, available 24/7, with the personnel and equipment designed to handle even the largest water and flood damage problems.  One phone call has a technician out to your home in less than an hour, ready to assess the situation and begin the restoration process. 

Better still, they can work alongside your homeowners’ insurance provider to make sure the process runs smoothly and efficiently.

Water damage doesn’t have to mean the end of your home…..contact the pros at Water Damage Local.com today. 

Beware The Flood Damaged Car...

Shopping for a car is already a daunting process.  As if sifting through various makes and models isn't enough, you also have to deal with misleading "bait and switch" ads and annoying high pressure salespeople.  Overall, it is not an event many of us look forward to with eager anticipation.

Now you can add another element to the “gotcha” list, namely water damage.  With record storms and flooding across much of the country this year, flood damaged cars are set to begin showing up on dealer lots over the coming months.

Water can damage a car’s electrical system, and wreak havoc on the interior as well as causing rust and other problems with the exterior finish.  Repairs can run into the thousands, and in some cases, may mean the car is a total loss. 

Many of these cars will be repaired and find their way onto dealer lots, and worse, the dealers will often fail to disclose that the car was damaged by water.  This is where it becomes a case of “buyer beware”.

It’s always a good idea to closely scrutinize any vehicle you are looking to purchase.  Aside from obvious problems like previous body damage (which can be identified by different shades of paint on various areas of the car, or body panels that do not fit properly), you should also look for the telltale signs of water damage.

Always ask for a CarFax on any vehicle you are considering.  CarFax will in most every case off a comprehensive history of the vehicle, including and repairs and bodywork that have been performed.

If a used car’s engine appears too clean, it may be that it was cleaned to hide damage or leaks. 

If a car is being sold for far less than its Kelly Blue Book value, that is another good indicator that there is a hidden problem. 

Check the transmission fluids.  If the fluid appears milky, beige, or diluted, there is probably water in the pans. 

Look for water stains on the seats.  If they are discolored or stained, you have your answer when it comes to water damage.

Look under the hood and in the trunk for areas of rust, a telltale sign that water has gotten in.  Also be aware of any musty smells or mildew odors.  Also, if the smell of deodorizers is strong, that could be a sign that some kind of problem has been covered up.

In all cases, take the car to a mechanic you trust to make sure it’s in good running order.  In the same vein, you can also take it to a body shop who can point out if there is any previous body damage or water damage problems.

Water Damage Local.com doesn’t do cars, but we are available 24/7 to take care of all water damage problems affecting your home or business.  Our nationwide network of water restoration providers offer a full range of services, from water removal and drying, to carpet cleaning and mold removal….all designed to return your property to its pre-loss condition.

A match made In Heck - Katia And Lee...

No sooner had Hurricane Irene blown herself out over Canada, that all eyes were turned towards the Atlantic Basin just off the coast of Africa, or the northern Gulf Of Mexico, depending on where your particular interests happened to lie. 

Hurricane Katia formed off the African coast right about the time that Irene was breathing her last, and tropical storm Lee has begun to take form in the Gulf.  Both storms could potentially threaten the US mainland over the next week or so.

It’s the peak of Hurricane Season 2011, and so far the year has not disappointed.  Katia is poised to become the second major hurricane of the season,  moving on a west-northwest track over the next 5 days.  Most computer models predict that she will simply curve back out to sea before striking the US, but forecasters admit they will need another 48 hours or so to be more certain. 

Katia become the second hurricane of the season on Wednesday night. Maximum sustained winds were 75 mph as of the writing of this article, with strengthening likely. Katia is moving at the base of a subtropical ridge to the north, and the initial motion to the WNW is expected to continue at least through 3 to 5 days.

Behind Katia, several more waves are beginning to form, which could become Maria and Nate respectively.  Of course it is far too early with either situation to predict their course, although weather patterns indicate that they may take a slightly more southern path.

Another tropical depression has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, predicted to become Tropical Storm Lee, and could dump heavy rainfall on the Gulf Coast states by the weekend.  This problem becomes aggravated by the fact that Labor Day weekend is typically a big draw for the beaches along the Gulf. 

Most computer models do not indicate a direct strike on the mainland by Lee, but rather a sideswipe, re-emerging into the Gulf, strengthening, and then making a second landfall.  These same simulations also have Lee eventually pulling up through the Appalachians, which could bring serious flooding issues for the southeast.

At this time of year, things are extremely volatile when it comes to weather.  People should be aware of what is happening around them and take note of rapidly changing weather conditions.  If a storm ends up heading in your direction, be prepared to leave immediately.  Secure your home, shutter or board up doors and windows, and have evacuation bags packed with enough clothing, food, and other provisions to support an extended stay away from home.

Water Damage Local.com is a nationwide network of IICRC certified professionals, available 24/7, and able to handle even the most severe flood damage and water restoration cases.  Call today for a free estimate or phone consultation.

What To Look For When Browsing Coffee Machines...

Looking at the range of coffee machines that are available in stores can often be quite confusing, as there are so many different features and things that the machines can do in terms of making coffee, and there are as many different types of machines as there are varieties of coffee available.  However, there are certain features that will usually add to the coffee drinking experience, and here, we will look at a few of these features that can help people to choose the best of the coffee machines that will match what the individuals are actually looking for from their coffee.

One of the most popular features for many people, especially for those who love a nice milky cappuccino, is the milk frother, which helps to provide the light creamy froth that is a big part of the style of such coffee.  There are plenty of coffee machines on the market today that offer this kind of feature, in various guises and styles.  This gives those who enjoy different types of coffee a little flexibility in the drink that they make, and although it can prove to be quite difficult to clean, it is definitely one of the most useful and most used features that can be found in coffee machines.

Having a heating ring on the coffee machines that helps to keep the coffee hot until it is needed is certainly another good thing to have, as it means that a batch of coffee can be made and drunk when the person is ready, rather than having to make the coffee from fresh every time that they want a cup.  Most coffee machines can keep a jug of coffee hot for a few hours, and although generally the fresher the coffee the better the taste, for the purposes of practicality, having a heating ring on the machine is a very useful feature to have.

As well as the various options for coffee machines that make regular coffee, there are also plenty of modern machines that can make espresso’s, latte’s, and various other traditional coffee drinks.  And depending on how selective and interested in coffee the person is, then there are a lot of machines ranging into the hundreds or even thousands which can be bought to meet the coffee demands of even the most discerning and sensitive coffee palette.  Although this will be for the select few, the majority of people can buy coffee machines which can really do everything they will expect from a coffee maker.

These are only a few of the popular features that are often built in to the modern coffee machines, which can help to add value to the products by making them much more flexible, and able to make a wider range of coffee drinks.  Practicality is also a big feature in these coffee machines, and by browsing the range to find the most suitable, people will soon be waking up to the delightful smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning.

Water restoration

What To Expect From Flood Damage...

The impact of flood damage on a property will usually be significant, as there are actually a wide range of different things that will be damaged when it comes to flooding. Therefore, it is important to look at these and see what can be done to deal with the damage that has arisen.  By dealing with all of the flood damage in a systematic way, it will be possible to help deal with and repair the damage, and to get the property back to a very livable state once again.

One of the first aspects of flood damage that will have to be considered when trying to arrange for the necessary repairs of a property is if there’s any damage to the electricity system.  The electrics within a property are particularly sensitive to things such as flooding, since the wiring can be ruined by the flood water when it comes into contact with it.  And especially if the electricity supply has not been disconnected prior to the flooding, then it can become necessary to rewire the entire property if flood damage has been significant enough.

Another important thing that must be taken into account when trying to cope and respond to flood damage is to look at the walls both inside and out and to identify what sort of damage may have occurred.  Indoors, it will often be damage to the plastering that will be one of the biggest problems to deal with, which will usually require the walls to be replastered once they have completely dried out, but doing this too early can lead to the job having to be redone further down the line.  Making sure that the external walls remain strong and have not been undermined will also be an important step when trying to cope with flood damage.

When it comes to dealing with the aftermath of flooding, the items that will have taken the most damage will be the soft furnishing and the movable items of furniture which will have absorbed a lot of the flood water.  These items will often be completely ruined by the flood damage.  Items such as chairs and couches, carpets, and tables will usually need to be replaced by new items, because the flood damage will usually be so significant that it will have led to these individual items being completely unusable. 

The recovery from flood damage for a property and all of the items that most families will actually keep in their home can be quite significant and coping with all of the stress and unhappiness that will often be more related to the irreplaceable sentimental items to be damaged rather than furniture damage can be a long term process.  By focusing on the irreplaceable items when preparing for a flood, and to let the insurance company carry out the relevant steps when dealing with the flood damage, this will lead to the smoothest recovery from the flooding.

Fee Up On Water Damage

When it comes time for us to sell our home, we want to put the best foot forward.  You clean it up, spruce it up, fix it up, and do all you can to increase the aesthetic appearance of the home, and of course you tend to downplay the imperfections or minor flaws in the hopes of attracting a buyer.

It is all a part of the selling process to be sure, but there are areas where you are required to provide full disclosure when it comes to previous damage, namely that inflicted by water.  Some states such as New York, even have laws specifically stating that you must disclose any information that may affect a person’s decision to buy your home.  Failure to do so can carry some consequences that are kind of on the heavy side, both for the seller and their agent. 

New York State, for example, requires what is known as a “Caveat Emptor”, wherein the state does require homeowners to fill out a property disclosure statement before they close.  If they choose not to provide this form, they end up crediting the buyer $500 at closing.  This is designed to provide some measure of protection in the event of a previously unforeseen problem.

Most closing attorneys will advise the credit, as it reduces liability in the future.  It would be all too easy to miss something that should have gone on the property disclosure, something that may end up costing the seller a lot more money.  Unfortunately, too many sellers take this as “permission” not to disclose any issues.

A Property Disclosure Form contains a veritable laundry list of items ranging from structural defects to the type of wiring in the house. It also includes plumbing and sewage issues, water leakage of any type, termites or other insect infestations, roof leaks and defects.

Now if a property has any structural issues, homeowners are required by law to fully disclose them.  Buyers must be made aware if the property sits in a flood zone or flood plain, or if it is in an area that is at high risk for fire or earthquake or other natural disasters. 

If a seller discloses a problem and the buyer chooses to proceed with the purchase, the seller can no longer be held responsible for the problem.  If the problem is not discloses and is discovered later, the seller could be successfully sued over it.

Thousands of people up and down the East Coast will have to deal with this problem thanks to Hurricane Irene, which flooded numerous basements and put their owners on the hook for such damages in the future.  It becomes important to clean the damage up as quickly as possible, thus preventing other, more long term problems such as mold. 

Above all else, never try to hide evidence of damage.  Painting over water stains is only a temporary fix, and home inspectors are trained to find those elusive problems. 

For the best results with fixing water damage, contact the professionals at Water Damage Local.com.  They are available 24/7 to handle even the largest water restoration needs.  Call today for a free estimate.