The following article was submitted by guest-blogger, Sydney Lovold. Sydney is part of Greater Mankato Growth member business, SERVPRO. Here, she shares tips of how to cope with the all-to-familiar basement flood. Are you a member business and interested in submitting a guest-blog post to Greater Mankato Growth? Send 500-800 words to media@greatermankato.com or reach out to Greater Mankato Growth with further questions.
The dreaded basement flood. We all want to pretend those three inches of water aren’t there and that the incident never even happened, but the longer you wait, the bigger the problem can become. Within the few minutes it takes you to wrap your head around what just happened, water is absorbed into your walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings. Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets, photographs, and books. Other paper goods start to swell and warp. In just the next 24 hours, drywall begins to swell and break down, furniture begins to swell and crack, a musty odor appears, and more.
Ignoring the problem for just 48 hours may cause mold and
mildew to grow and spread (luckily, for those who do wait, SERVPRO’s highly
trained technicians can be your best friend in mold mitigation!). Between 48
hours and 1 week, your doors, windows, and studs swell and warp, metal begins
to rust and corrode, paint begins to blister, wood flooring swells and warps,
and serious biohazard contamination is possible. Waiting longer than 1 week
increases restoration time and cost dramatically, and structural safety, mold
growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to you and your family.
Always keep safety in mind first, and make sure to evacuate when necessary.
Have A Water Damage Emergency? Call (507) 200-3700
Since SERVPRO of Mankato / Owatonna is typically on-site
within four hours, calling right away can prevent some of this damage. While
you wait for that bright green truck to arrive, there are a few things you can
do if you have determined it is safe to remain in the house. Keep in mind that
electrical and “slip and fall” hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns,
and that wet materials can be very heavy. Only do activities that are safe for
you to perform.
What To Do When Your Basement Floods
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture after
removal of lamps and tabletop items.
- Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between
furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in
summer.
- Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
- Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
- Gather loose items from floors.
What NOT To Do When Your Basement Floods
- Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and
leather goods.
- Don’t leave books, magazines or other colored
items on wet carpet or floors.
- Don’t use your household vacuum to remove water.
- Don’t use television or other household
appliances.
- Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is
wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
Basement floods can really put a damper on things, but don’t
let it take control of your life, and don’t wait to get help! Instead of
waiting and pretending it never even happened, let SERVPRO of Mankato /
Owatonna restore your home so it really is “Like it never even
happened.”
The 91st legislative session kicked off on January 8, 2019 after a November election that saw Mankato native Tim Walz elected governor, the House flip to DFL control, and Republicans maintaining control of the Senate through the one open seat up for a special election. This made Minnesota the only state in the union with divided party control of its legislature.
Join Greater Mankato Growth and your fellow colleagues for our June Public Affairs Forum breakfast as we recap the 2019 legislative session.
