I live in Texas, and the recent floods have damaged everything in my apartment. How can I save some of it?
Question:The flood water was knee deep in my entire apartment. My cloth furniture, wood furniture, rugs, clothes, shoes, and especially rare quilts were all damaged from the flood waters. What are some things I can do to salvage some of my things? What are some ways to clean the furniture? Does anybody have any simple, handy "old wives tales" or something of that nature to help me save my stuff? I know I need to wash as much as I can, but in hot or cold water? How do you clean wood that has gotten wet?
My apartment complex is in the process of replacing all of the sheet rock, base boards, and carpets in my apartment. As of right now, I cannot go in there, and probably won't be able to until Friday, July 6th.
I appreciate any advice that ya'll can help me with. Thanks!
Answers:
I'm in Texas, too. Can you believe all the rain? Last night I went out in the thunderstorm and cleaned my gutters and trenched my flowerbeds because the water was up to the top of my foundation.
You should wash anything that is washable, but send the rugs and rare quilts to a water damage specialist for cleaning. The wood furniture can dry out (if it ever stops raining) but the cloth furniture, I don't know. Maybe ask the water damage specialist. Blackmon-Mooring is really good if you are in the DFW area.
So sorry this happened to you.
It's going to be kind of a touch and go thing. sorry for your hardship. i would try and find a restoration co. on line for your rare quilts. Your cloth furniture, will just have to really dry out and you just see about the smell. You may have a little fading but you could always get a slip cover or re-upholstered. Depending on how bad the wood is damaged you may be able to sand it down and re-finish. Check to see if the wood is a laminate or real wood. laminate forget it, real wood somewhat salvageable. Hang in there.
I am sorry for your loss and feel your pain, but the only thins you will be able to save are things you can wash your wood and cloth furniture is history. The wood and foam are the big problem..the wood has been in water and will rot over time and the foam will mildew fast, and if you cant even get to any of it for more then a week..if you can get to remove the things to be washed do it now...toss the shoes...they cant be saved..
Good luck and you should get if you don't ,renters insurance!!
Sorry to hear about the bad weather down there in Texas & Oklahoma! As soon as you can, wash all your clothing and furnishings in a solution of orange peel oil (usually sold as TKO) and hot water to safely kill mildew. Once you finally get some sunny weather, be sure to get anything you have washed out hanging in the sun to kill black mold. Furniture and draperies can be spot cleaned with orange oil and water then dried rapidly in sun.
More Related Questions & Answers...