Minnesota Water: Tips for cleaning a wet basement

Concerned about the water in your basement? Here are pointers from the University of Minnesota Extension, the University of Minnesota Department of Health and Environmental Safety, Insurance Federation of Minnesota and control systems standard water:

- Take photos and videos of the disaster for insurance claims and tax deductions.

- The water is probably contaminated, either because it ran across the floor or stored in the sewer. So wear boots, impervious gloves and a protective mask.

- So many things, especially things that remove the become wet. If waste is properly discarded.

- Turn off the area affected by the water. Consult an electrician for what is safe and what is not.

- Eliminate standing water in buckets, brooms, rags and / or sump pumps. Then the water you can suck with a shop vac.

- Report All parts dry with dehumidifiers, fans and air conditioning. Use an air conditioner heater drawing moisture into the carpet and the walls and in the air.

- Doors in the basement - if it be not to jump mold the house.

- Take a second to clean and disinfect. You can use diluted bleach or other products. Please refer to the University of Minnesota Department of Environmental Health and Safety ( www.dehs.umn.edu ) for more details.

- The theme of the successful cleanup "hurry up and wait" This is not cleaned within 48 hours can not be restored and you need to clean .. sit for weeks or months before painting or just dry plasterboard.

- The interior walls are easily stored because not isolated; You have to cut the area was wet, more space above. If the wet insulation to the outer walls may be impossible to finish the hole in the wall of the mold.

- Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, should trading company, the equipment and experience to provide all the things that you can not, as a wet carpet or wet walls have to remember.

- Upholstered furniture that is wet with contaminated water, is a lost cause.

- The standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, including water through a saturated soil. Insurance against flood must be purchased separately from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and because it can be expensive, there are only around 12,000 contracts sold one million households in Minnesota. There is also the self-explanatory pilot called "Backup of sewage and drainage approval," which costs about $ 40 per year.

- You get water in your basement - still? Do not be too sure, because the ground is saturated you. Take a tour of your garden and make sure that you minimize the potential for flooding as clogged gutters and filled gaps in the windows. Expensive system brings entertainment to the floor for a while. And make sure that your sump pump is working.

Debra O'Connor be reached 651-228-5453. Follow the twitter.com / DebOConnorPP address .

FYI

- Information and videos about the flood problems at the University of Minnesota Extension site leaves extension.umn.edu / flood .

- Information on issues of cleaning, stains, mildew and food security in answer to 800-854-1678 or e-mail answer@iastate.edu at Iowa State University.

- Drying and cleaning walls: extension.umn.edu/go/1059 .

- Health problems together on the management of water damage to walls, ceilings, carpets and furniture. Www dehs.umn.edu / iaq_fi.htm

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