Spring Storms - How to handle water damage

Okay, is spring ever going to arrive?! Usually by my late March birthday, the tulips are reaching up to early spring sunshine AND we’re putting our snow boots away. Didn’t we hear that Punxsutawney Phil predicted an “early spring.” You are my witnesses: Here’s the link to Groundhog Day 2011, with Phil’s video

So, please don’t laugh because our basement flooded AGAIN in mid-March and all our equipment was out, drying our clients’ homes and businesses. Dozens of clients had wet basements, from Mount Vernon and The Bronx up to White Plains, with clients calling in desperation from as far West as Riverdale. March rains fell with serious intention one Sunday night, melting the snow, and then it rained again Wednesday. So the lower level in our rental house flooded TWICE. When you’re a small business owner with two, huge German Shepherds, you live where you can, to keep the lights on. But, for the second straight year, our basement was soaked, the doggies were tracking it all over and we dealt with it, since “we’re in the business” and all of our equipment was out for clients.

Soon, we had to worry about mold, like anyone who has water or flooding inside their property. Home and business owners, and even renters, who don’t dry out their structure and contents quickly, may end up with a “petri dish” of icky, mold friendly moisture. So, call for help if needed, especially if you have insurance or a reliable building Super, and get a good dehumidifier going, use fans directly on wet areas and keep the humidity low.

You can usually dry and save hardwood flooring, if you act fast, but you can’t and should not keep the carpeting. As water certified professionals we are usually required by insurance to remove wet and damaged carpet, especially padding. A good flooring company -- like local partner, Debbie Gartner, at her small woman-owned, Floor Coverings International -- can get new carpet, or tile in for you. Contact her at 914-937-2950, She comes directly to your home for carpet, hardwood, refinishing and tiling estimates.

Remember that If you don’t remove the damaged flooring, you’ll soon reconsider, when it starts to smell like “mildew.” That odor can spread through your apartment, home, or business. If mold is growing, “spores” from this “fungus among us,” can migrate in an entire property through heating and duct systems. For the elderly, the very young and anyone with allergies or immune suppressed concerns, this can be a real health problems. Our family owned company has been in water and mold remediation work for nearly 44 years, so companies like ours can help you diagnose any concerns.

First, call your insurance company or talk to the Super in your building. Even if you just have renters’ insurance for your contents (if you don’t have it, get it), it’s worth a call. Most water damages from a mechanical or man-made cause are typically covered. However, ground water penetrating after severe storms like the March rains may not be, so contact your insurance agent. Some clients had water rise through basement floors and that’s considered a “ground water leak,” and is not covered.

But, discuss it with your agent. If you can’t dry out a basement or crawl space, and there’s an odor, remediation specialists like ours can drop by for a complimentary check on moisture levels. Most remediation companies are “water certified,” and Forrest and I have a quick, reasonable way to disinfect, deodorize and prevent mold in homes and businesses.

Call Forrest at our NEW SHOP on South 3rd Avenue in Mount Vernon, if you suspect a mold problem: (914) 699-5181.