After you've given your home's major systems the once over for damage from Hurricane Floyd, don't over look the smaller components. Any problems left unresolved will only worsen with time. Here's what to inspect and how to handle any problems you find:

Soaked hardwood floors, carpets, rugs and other flooring
Depending upon the length of time its been soaked, a hardwood floor and its connecting components may become warped and rusted creating squeaky floors. More damage could warrant refinishing and replacing part or all of the floor boards.

Turn nylon or other synthetic carpeting upside down to expose the backing to circulation. Place outside in the sunlight, or spread out in a warm room on an improvised drying frame of old chairs or sawhorses. Wool or cotton carpets are vulnerable to mildew. They should be dried more quickly, using clotheslines, large dryers or professional cleaners. Pull up the carpet pad to ventilate the floor. Rubber and foam pads can be dried out and saved. Jute and horsehair are difficult to dry.

Electrical outlets, gas valves
Flood waters come with debris, including silt that clogs and ruins gas valves and renders electrical outlets inoperable and dangerous. Any electrical outlet clogged with even a bit of silt or other object will short circuit.

Do not turn on electrical equipment until you've had a professional evaluation. Be careful in moving any electronic equipment to avoid further damage. Switch off all equipment and disconnect backup batteries. If possible, disconnect fuses.

Replace any gas valve recovered from flood waters. Disassemble and clean or replace all electrical outlets that have been submerged.

Soaked wall materials
A week or two of drying out and a fresh coat of paint may be all that is necessary. If so begin with a fresh undercoat of primer before painting. Otherwise, stains from water and rusted nails will bleed through the final coat.

It's likely water damaged sheet rock will have to be removed and replaced, particularly if water has been trapped in wall cavities.

Doors that stick
Shifting foundations are often the fault of sticking doors. If you shave the edge of the door when the soil is wet, you may have an airspace when the soil dries and the foundation shifts again.

Instead, install weather stripping or an adjustable threshold under the door that will adjust to the movement of the door.

Windows that leak
Caulk leaks around window frame. Butyl and silicone caulks are recommended for longer wear. Be sure that the surfaces are dry and clean. If necessary, build an eave or overhang above the window so it is not exposed to a direct downpour.

You can also install metal flashing above the window trim to help divert the rain. Use galvanized nails every inch or so, and apply caulking between flashing and wall.

Soggy insulation
Replace soaked insulation. Cellulose that has been treated with fire- proofing and vermin-proofing solutions can become acidic and corrode electrical wiring, nails, and other metal devices. Fiberglass becomes matted and ineffective.

Published: September 23, 1999

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