ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 7, 1996 TAG: 9609090047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN ADAMS STAFF WRITER
Although Hurricane Fran's fury may have passed, the troubles she left behind might take longer to solve. Thousands of Virginians woke up Friday to a flood of problems, from swampy basements to fallen trees to soaked carpets.
In most cases, professional help is advised. But homeowners can do a lot before the pros arrive. People with access to sump pumps, wet/dry vacuums, generators and chain saws should consider themselves lucky.
Most rental companies have those items, but anyone in need may have to be patient.
"Ours are all gone right now, so I tell people to just keep trying," said John Damewood, a rental assistant at Equipment and Supply Co. of Virginia.
Wet basements
The first thing to do is to get the water out immediately in any way possible: sweep it, scoop it or vacuum it.
That also goes for mud, said Dennis McNally, president of Aquatech Inc., a waterproofing company. ``If there's mud, you need to sweep it up before it hardens.''
Most basement-waterproofing companies can come out to fix foundations and leaking basements that are still wet, but the flow should be stopped first if possible. ``Otherwise we're pumping and repairing at the same time.''
He also advised wearing rubber gloves for cleaning anything that may be contaminated by water and using disinfectant on the surface afterward.
Safety alert: Always wear rubber-soled shoes or boots in this situation, especially if using a wet/dry vacuum.
``Because you can get a real bad shock or burn if any wires are frayed," McNally said.I've seen it happen. "Put on rubber-soled shoes before plugging anything in, even if there's just a little water on the floor.'' Also, remember that anything touched by flood water may be contaminated with chemicals or bacteria from sewage.
Fallen trees
Tree removal is risky business, and this is one area where the best thing to do is nothing - except get out of the way.
A fallen tree can be under pressure, especially if leaning on something, and limbs can snap backwards, especially if a chain saw is used. Homeowners should also stay clear of power lines, said Russell Goodwin of Custom Cut Tree Service, and be aware that the lines can be hard to spot under leafy limbs.
``I've seen quite a few that've had electrical wires underneath, and the owners didn't even know they were there,'' said Tim Hullett, owner of Paul Bunyan's Tree Service. Hullett warned that children should never be allowed to go near or climb on fallen trees. ``The limbs can snap and break their ankle, or kill them,'' he said. David Phillips, owner of Satisfaction Tree Service, added that homeowners may be liable if nonprofessionals are injured while trying to help.
Safety alert: Get out of the way; wait for help.
Roof damage
Roof damage is usually minor, such as loose shingles or leaky ceilings. If there's a hole, though, the best thing to do is to cover it tightly with heavy plastic or construction felt and staple it in place, said David Delafield, vice president of T.E. Gardner Roofing. And most leaks come in through the flashing around chimneys or vent stacks and can be easily repaired. While waiting for a professional, he said, use buckets to catch drips.
Safety alert: ``Never climb around on a wet ladder, and never touch a power line,'' Delafield said.
Carpet saturation
Wet carpets require immediate attention. ``You have to stop the water right away,'' said George DeVoe, branch manager of Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaner. He said there's nothing that carpet cleaners can do while the water is still coming in. But homeowners can turn on fans, dehumidifiers or anything else that will move air across the carpet. They should get all items off the floor. And once the cleaners arrive, they'll pull up the carpet and pad and dry it all to prevent mildew.
Safety alert: ``Always wear gloves and boots,'' DeVoe said. "Never go barefoot on a wet carpet, because it's a health hazard.''
Food safety
People who lost power for any length of time must take precautions before eating unrefrigerated perishable food, said Jean Vandergrift, home economist for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Her basic rule: ``If there's any doubt - even a hint of a doubt - throw it away.'' Most perishable food that's been at room temperature - 45 degrees or warmer - for more than two hours should not be eaten.
Foods most susceptible to early bacteria growth are seafood, ground beef, lunchmeat and chicken, she said. Eggs and dairy products are next.
And leftovers should be discarded immediately, since they have already been heated, perhaps more than once.
Condiments such as mustard, soy sauce, mayonnaise, margarine and oil can stay out longer but should still be monitored.
Vandergrift suggested filling a cooler with ice to store food and insulating it with newspaper or a blanket.
``We may remember our grandparents leaving eggs out, but eggs at room temperature lose quality very quickly.''
She added that even a trace of bacteria will multiply rapidly at room temperature. The longer the food stays out, the more it gets contaminated.
Even though people "may feel like they're throwing money away, it's better not to take chances,'' Vandergrift said. ``Especially for children or elderly people, or anyone with an immune deficiency, food-borne illnesses can be devastating, even fatal.''
Safety alert: If there is any doubt at all, throw an item out. The Virginia Cooperative Extension in Roanoke can answer questions about food and storm cleanup at 772-7524. You can also call the U.S. Department of Agriculture food-safety hot line at (800) 535-4555.
Staff writer Kenneth Singletary contributed to this story.
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