After the flood: Water damage and mold can create problems that might be irreparable, local experts say

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Thursday, August 30, 2007

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In the two weeks since a late summer storm pounded the Black Hills with a deluge of rain and hail, carpet cleaners Lloyd Weaver and Michael Burhans have been up to their hip waders in work.

Weaver, of Lloyd's Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, has sent his two carpet-cleaning crews to about six houses daily, with a dozen callers still waiting for help to clean out their rain-soaked basements.

The cleaning crews have concentrated much of their efforts in the west Rapid City, Piedmont and Black Hawk areas, but Hermosa was especially hard-hit by the storm.

Both Lloyd's and Stanley Steemer do water damage and mold-remediation work. The widespread severity of flooding also has put both companies behind their work schedules.

"We've been so busy, we can't keep up," Weaver said.

One of the oldest carpet-cleaning businesses in Rapid City, the 52-year-old company has worked through its share of floods. The damage from the Aug. 17 storm filled many basements with a mixture of mud and water. Some homes had only water-soaked carpets or a couple of inches of water, while others had a mix of mud and flood water. One Hermosa basement was filled to its ceiling, he said.

"If you've got a $1,000 carpet and you're going to have to spend more than $500 to clean it -- rip it up and start over," Weaver said. "If there's mud, you can't salvage anything. It's going to be too expensive."

Burhans of Stanley Steemer and six working crews have spread their carpet-cleaning machinery with 100 air movers and 15 dehumidifiers across the city, but on Tuesday, about 22 calls were waiting when they returned to the office.

"Everything we have is out there," he said.

Burhans said Stanley Steemer had 75 calls since the storm. Some of the flood damage in the basements was caused by faulty down-spouts installation or basement window wells that filled up with rainwater and debris.

Most of the water flooding the homes was heavily laced with a combination of pesticides, fertilizers and animal urine and feces, along with dirt and debris. Some homes had water still standing when the cleaning crews arrived.

"There was water up to our knees," Burhans said.

Although damage to carpeting, pads, furnishings and other items in the basements were obvious, the germ-infested waters also soaked into the homes' drywall.

"We have meters to test the walls for saturation levels so people don't have problems with mold in the future," he said.

Both Weaver and Burhans agreed it is important after flooding to begin drying out flooded basements immediately. This requires using a sump pump, shop vacuum or bucket and mop to remove all excess water, removing all furnishings off the floor, lifting off linoleum, laminates or carpet and pad and inspecting the flooring beneath.

Dehumidifiers and fans are essential in water evaporation, but be sure to inspect walls and possibly the studding beneath for possible water damage as well.

Even then, it might not save the carpet.

"If it's sat in water the past 72 hours, there's no sense in trying to save the carpeting, because it's going to cause massive mold problems in the future," Burhans said.

Cleaning up after a flood

Here are some cleanup tips if your home is flooded:

· Remove as much water from the area as possible, using an industrial or shop vacuum or mop.

· Unplug all appliances and keep cords above water level.

· Wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves, dust masks and eye protection can minimize chances of injury or infection.

· Use a dehumidifier to remove airborne moisture. Use of a fan without a dehumidifier can cause moisture to evaporate into the air, where it can penetrate other household furnishings.

· Sanitize with household bleach or professional disinfectant.

· Punch a hole in sagging ceilings and use a bucket or a large container to catch draining water.

· Elevate any furniture or valuable items stored in basements, using wood blocks.

· Keep sofa and chair skirts and draperies from touching wet surfaces.

· If you plan to save wall-to-wall carpeting, remove any furniture or area rugs to prevent staining or permanent indentations.

· Inspect the roof, especially areas around vents and the flashing in valleys.

· Inspect the grade, making sure it slopes away from the foundation. Use fill dirt to eliminate low areas. Seal basement cracks with a masonry caulk or hydraulic cement. Inspect all basement windows for leaks. If you've experienced repeated flooding, especially in a basement, consider installing a sump pump.

· (c) 2007 Newsday