Flood Water Rising

While a great many people are still preparing for the possibility of flooding, some are looking at an incredible mess and wondering if it is possible to save anything.  YES, you can. 

Here are some of the things we did to clean-up in 1979 after having 4 1/2ft of water flood our house.  Look around your house.  There are not many places over 4ft. to set things - unless you have a second story.  You will be amazed at the number and type of things you can wash, even though under normal circumstances you wouldn’t.  Right now, you probably think you’ve seen enough water to last a lifetime, but copius flushing with clean water of wet items is what you need to do.  YOU MUST GET THE FLOODWATER OUT.  If you just allow upholstered items to dry, at first they may seem okay, but a month or so down the road they will begin to rot and the fabric will shred and fall apart. Take the furniture outside and set it on the driveway or on cement blocks in the yard. 

For couches and chairs, flush them well with clean water, then wash them with a solution of water, all purpose cleaner and some bleach (more or less depending on how dark the color of the upholstery).  Use a scrub brush, then rinse until you don’t get any more suds running off.  Let dry in the sun.  It may take several days to a week.  It would be good to have some plastic handy, so that you can cover the pieces if it starts to rain after a couple of days.  You don’t want to lose the drying time you’ve already had. 

The yard was muddy, so we couldn’t lay the rugs we wanted to clean on the ground.  We put them on the roof (it didn’t have a steep pitch), then hosed them, used a rug shampoo machine and hosed them again.  We let them dry 2-3 days, then brought them back in the house.  These were wall-to-wall commercial grade carpets.  Area rugs can be treated the same way; smaller rugs can be cleaned in a washing machine. 

Mattresses cannot be saved, I’m afraid.  Pillows can be washed.  Front loading machines at the laundromat are a good choice for this.  Partially dry them to fluff then let them air dry. 

With hardwood furniture, clean off the surface and let dry thoroughly, then treat the wood with a good furniture oil.  About dressers…when the flood water was coming up in our house, we took the drawers out and set them on top of the dresser.  However, the water came up so high that the dressers floated (on an angle) and all the drawers slid into the water.  Still, the drawers were out and we could dry each piece separately.  If the drawers are still in place, you might be able to get them out if you do it quickly.  Water will make the wood swell and they may not come out easily, if at all.  But you can’t dry them very well with drawers full of wet clothing or linens getting moldier every day.  The wood will get moldy, too.  You have to make a decision here based on your own circumstance. 

Anything else that will fit in a washing machine, wash it and see if it’s usable.  You’ve got nothing to lose.

As far as construction repair on your house is concerned, some you can do yourself.  It depends on how handy you are.  Sheetrock and other porous wallboard should be removed at least 12″ above the visible water line.  Pull out all wet insulation.  Check for wicking, the upward movement of of water to higher levels.  Wall studs, where wallboard has been removed should be cleaned with a bleach/water solution and allowed to dry COMPLETELY before any repair is made to the wall. 

Drying completely is the key to rescuing a water logged house.  As soon as you have power, have the A/C running and as many fans going as you can lay your hands on. 

Floors, concrete or brick walls, countertops (not presswood with formica-they’re history) plastic, glass and other non-porous materials should be washed with non-ammonia soap and water and then with a solution of 1-2 cups bleach to a gallon of water and allow to completely dry.  DON’T MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA.  The fumes will burn your lungs. 

For small appliances and power tools, we took them apart to dry and used alot of WD-40.  Most everything worked.  Good luck to you all.  I know it will be alot of hard work.

So, DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN?  See posts HOW TO SANDBAG and HOW TO PREVENT SEWER BACK-UP FLOODING.  You can keep 3-4 ft of water out of your house, although a 20ft wall of water coming at you is a different story.  If you have any questions, about your particular situation,  leave a message on comment and I will get back to you.

Previously, I have spoken of securing your home against flooding, but there may come a time when you need to choose – shelter in place or evacuate, possibly to a shelter or further away out of harm’s way.  Currently, meteorologists are predicting that Hurricane Ike will be a very strong storm when it makes landfall-someone mentioned a 20ft. high wall of water. Hopefully, Ike will fall short of their expectations.  Time will tell, but at this time sheltering in place is not an option for coastal residents.  Here are several lists of things to do and items to gather together.  While you are making last minute preparations, charge the batteries for cell phones, digital cameras and FRS or GMRS radios if you have them.  These are especially handy if your evacuation group includes several vehicles enabling you to keep in contact, since cell phone calls may not go through simply because of extreme traffic.  

Important Papers: checkbook, savings passbook, CD certificates, safe deposit box key, birth & marriage certificates, divorce decree, will, power of attorney, social security cards, vehicle titles & registrations, insurance policies & cards-auto, health, life, homeowners, flood, mortgage deeds or lease agreements, passport, credit/debit cards (GET CASH-ATM’s and credit card approval machines won’t work later if power is out).

Pillows, sleeping bags or blankets, air mattresses & gizmo to blow them up.  A compactly stored tent could come in handy if you’re evacuating a distance and motel rooms are unavailable or on returning depending on the condition of your house.  If you never need it during evacuation, take your kids camping in good weather.  Clothing, personal hygiene items, medications, food and water for all members of your party, including pets.  Many cities now offer shelter accommodations for pets (in their carriers).  BATTERY BACK-UP WEATHER RADIO, flashlights and extra batteries are a must. Don’t forget a first aid kit.  Books, puzzle books, handheld games, toys or iPod are good choices since you will probably be away for several days. 

We have all seen those Interstate highway parking lots on TV, moving at 2-3 miles per hour or less.  You won’t be able to reach a rest area anytime soon-there wouldn’t be any parking and the line into the bathroom would be a mile long even if you were stopped next to one.  Make some provision for facilities in your vehicle – a bucket with plastic bags for a liner and twist ties to secure them and a generous sheet of black plastic fastened with clamps to open car doors will provide some privacy from the neighboring traffic.

Whichever away from home shelter you choose, take pictures of your home before leaving.  Secure your home as well as you can – hurricane shutters fastened, sandbags w/plastic in place and nothing that could become airborne in the yard and get your family to a safe place.  Our prayers go with you

As Hurricane Ike targets the Texas coastline, residents rush to prepare for the storm.  Hopefully one of their earliest preparations was to get or maintain the flood insurance on their homes - at least 30 days in advance.  You cannot buy Flood Insurance when a hurricane is likely to hit within a couple of days.  If you are in the path of a storm, but will not be directly affected by the storm surge, don’t assume you cannot have flooding.  Everyone lives in a flood zone.  You just may not have been flooded as yet.  In addition, flood damage may be defined as any storm water damage even that resulting from rainfall through a WIND DAMAGED or completely blown off roof.  Check your homeowner’s policy for this loop hole.  Find out exactly what kind of water damage is covered.

Interestingly, the National Flood Insurance Program Standard Dwelling Policy will actuall reimburse you for costs you incur to protect your home from flooding.  Look in your policy under C. Coverage C-OTHER COVERAGES…2. Loss Avoidance Measures
(a) Sandbags, Supplies and Labor
    (1) We will pay up to $1,000 for costs you incur to protect the insured  
         building from flood or imminent danger of flood…Reasonable
         expenses to buy sandbags, including the sand to fill them…
    (2) This coverage for Sandbags, Supplies and Labor only if damage to
         insured property by or from flood is imminent, and the threat of
         flood damage is apparent enough to lead a person of common
         prudence to anticipate flood damage.  One of the following must
         occur:
A general and tempory condition of flooding in the area near the described location must occur, even if the flood does not reach the insure building; OR
A legally authorized official must issue an evacuation order or other civil order for the community in which the insured building is located calling for measures to preserve life and property from the peril of flood.

Insurance policies will replace items damaged with new ones.  You can buy a new bedroom suite, but not the one that has been in your family for a hundred years.  Most families have many things that simply cannot be replaced.  This is the loss that insuance doesn’t cover.  So, it behooves us all to protect the things that are a part of our own family heritage.

NOTE: See previous entries on how to effectively use sandbags to prevent flooding and how to prevent sewer back-up flooding.

Protect against low level flooding –up to 3 or 4 feet, using properly placed sandbags in conjunction with light-weight plastic.  Sandbagging your door openings is a good start to prevent flooding, but it will not prevent your bathtub, shower and toilet from spewing sewage into your house.

Prevent sewer back-up in bathtubs and toilets by installing a manually closing    knife gate valve.  FEMA has addressed this problem by suggesting the professional installation of a check-valve, with a cost range of $375. to $525.  HOWEVER, reputable plumbers will tell you that any debris caught in your sewer line (sewage, paper or flushable personal products) will prevent a check-valve from closing properly, resulting in sewer back-up.  I have found that the best valve to use is a manually closed knife-type gate valve and it is relatively inexpensive.  It can be installed by a licensed plumber or a homeowner, if qualified.

LOW-COST SOLUTION –  A tall kitchen can garbage bag inserted into the clean-out, then filled half-way up the pipe with sand or dirt will do an excellent job, then wet lightly.  To remove, insert garden hose into bag and carefully flush out the sand, while holding bag securely.  Do not allow partially filled plastic bag to wash down into the sewer line or you will plug up the line, creating the very problem you are trying to avoid.  Punch a hole in the bag and drain the water.

Whichever method you choose, make sure that you can easily remove the clean-out cap, usually  located outside the house.  Some are white PVC, but older homes may have cast iron caps and may require a plumber’s expertise to open.  Clean threads and grease with Vaseline. Screw cap on hand-tight for easy removal in an emergency.

Depending on your location, you may experience flooding during medium to severe thunderstorms or a prolonged period of daily thunderstorms.

NOTE: Remember, now that you have prevented sewage from backing up into your house, you have also stopped it from draining.  Before closing off the drain, you should turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush.  There will be only a small amount in the bottom.  You can then fit a kitchen garbage bag into the toilet and lower the lid.  Change bags as needed.  For washing up, use a dishpan that you can empty out the window (since your doors will be sandbagged).

For further information, contact Robert Payne, Disaster Specialist  

727-545-3233 , 1-877-248-8387or visit www.diversespecialties.com

Planning and advance preparation can significantly reduce stress and increase your ability to protection your home and family against low-level flooding-up to 3 or 4 feet.

Here are some practical steps you can take to protect your home:

First, decide how you will enter and exit your home after you have finished securing it.  If you are preparing for a hurricane, you will want to pre-cut a piece of plywood that can be placed and anchored in front of a door that opens inward and that you can step over to leave your home.  Next, using 2″ duct or packing tape (if the surface is dry or can be dried), seal the door opening across the bottom and up the sides for several feet.  Then attach lightweight plastic (use 1-2 mil plastic such as painter’s drop cloths or lawn or trash bags because heavier plastics will not seal securely) in front of the door opening extending at least 1ft. on either side and 1-2ft. in front on the ground.  Place filled sandbags on the plastic, making sure they settle snuggly to the door surface and extend beyond the actual door opening.  Place additional rows, overlapping joints for 1ft. or more depending on the amount of flooding expected. 

Although woven sandbags are most effective, you can improvise if they are not available.  Tall kitchen can garbage bags filled with wet towels or bedding or dirt/sand/sod from the yard can be used as well as bags of play sand.  Whatever you use, make sure the are heavy enough and squeeze out air so they don’t float or break.

After flooding is over, (follow all Emergency Management Guidelines) remove the sandbags.  During the hurricane season, you may want to save your sandbags in case you need the again.  Store the in a dry area out of the sun to prevent deterioration (a garage, shed or under a tarp) and off the ground as sandbags can cause staining on concrete or pool decks.  When you do dispose of the, since many will contain sand or dirt, simply add the contents to your yard or garden.

Even if you aren’t located on the coast, you may experience flooding during a severe thunderstorm or a prolonged period of daily rains.

Planning is the key to safeguarding your home and family.

Description _Diverse Specialties, Inc. is a St. Petersburg, FL based company bringing innovative solutions to problems facing both business and the general public alike.  Bob’s Bagger is just such a tool, designed and distributed by a first-hand flood survivor with extensive experience as a Damage Mitigation Specialist.   He has helped many successfully manage flood situations and has additional experience in engineering and design of hurricane and tornado shelters. 

Earlier this year severe thunderstorms hammered the Midwest causing considerable flooding along the Mississippi River.  More recently Tropical Storm Fay dropped a deluge of flooding waters on a large portion of the State of Florida, moving west across the panhandle into Alabama, Mississippi, Louisianna and intoTexas which was already suffering major flooding.  Following closely, Hurricane Gustav blew into New Orleans.  Fortunately, the damage was minimal compared with the destruction wrought by Katrina three years ago.  Hot on their heels is Hurricane Hanna and the east coast of Florida and points north are bracing for yet another flood producing storm.  This is not an aberrant weather pattern, but is fast becoming a way of life for coastal and inland residents, for that matter. 

But there is good news!!  You don’t have to stand helplessly by; you can take positive, effective action.  Protect your home and family with correct use of sandbagging.  Bob’s Bagger can help you, increasing your output of filled sandbags five to ten times, depending on how energetic you are and how fast the flood waters are rising.  Sand does not need to be dry – wet sand, wet or dry dirt or even sod will work with Bob’s Bagger. 

Bob’s Bagger is used by many Emergency Management and Municipal Public Works departments across the United States and a few in Canada. The Department of the Army Key West and Norfolk Naval Base have also found it suited their needs.  Bob’s Personal Sandbagging System is now available for homeowners.  Sandbags, plastic sheeting and instructions are included.

For specific directions on sandbagging, visit www.diversespecialties.com or call toll free 1-877-248-8387