What now? here are some answers to flooding questions

If you're walking around in a post-flood daze, you're probably feeling a little lost (and sore from cleaning up). To help, we found answers to some common questions we've heard from flood victims.

Q. What is the life of my sump pump? How do I know, in advance, whether it will work when it rains?

A. Depending on how often it runs, a sump pump should last five to 10 years, says Bob Wedell, sales manager at Metropolitan Industries in Romeoville. If it runs often and turns off and on a lot, it'll need to be replaced sooner. Inspections don't make a lot of financial sense, because it costs almost as much for an inspection as a replacement. Sump pump prices range from $80 to $400 plus installation.

Q. Do I need a backup sump pump?

A. Like battery backups, "they're insurance policies," Wedell says. If you have nice carpeting and a home theater in your basement, you'll want more protection than a single $79.95 sump pump.

Q. Is there any way to prevent sewer backup?

A. The best way to prevent it is to have separate sewer and stormwater lines, but that's easier said than done, Wedell said. If you have a combined sewer, there are backflow prevention systems, but they can be pricey.

Q. Help! I can't afford this!

A. The Illinois CPA Society recommends contacting your creditors and letting them know what happened. Sometimes they are willing to work with you. Notify your insurance company about losses, and give them a complete inventory of your damaged/destroyed property. Seek help from the American Red Cross, the Small Business Administration or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Think ahead to tax season, and keep all receipts and paperwork related to your flood loss.

Q. How do I take advantage of state and federal disaster assistance?

A. Officials say it may take months before there will be programs for residents to apply for, but people should first call their city, township or village to report any damage. Local officials are now compiling a damage assessment that will be forwarded to the county, then the state and then the federal government. At some point thereafter, the federal government will offer assistance. The process has taken 10 months or longer in the past.

Q. How do I save sentimental items and important records?

A. Don't fan them out because the ink will run. Take the item that you want saved and stick it in your freezer, said Mario Majewski, general manager of Flood Specialists in Chicago. That stops any further damage and stabilizes the item. Then you can bring it to restoration professionals who can use freeze-dry chambers to get the water out.

Q. Can you save soggy photos?

A. Pictures are a bit more dicey, but can be saved by the same process as mentioned above. At a bare minimum, take photos out of frames and spread them out to dry so they're not stacked on top of each other, otherwise the pictures will stick to the glass and each other, said Mike Bambacht of Chicago Producers, a Chicago photo restoration company.

Q. How do I protect against mold?

A. The quicker you act, the better. You can call a professional flood restoration company, but many are already booked up for a week or more - precious time when it comes to mold. If you're doing it yourself, the EPA offers a guide at epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html. While many agencies recommend diluted bleach as a sanitizer, the EPA recommends detergent and water. Bleach, according to spokeswoman Phillippa Cannon, just kills the mold instead of removing it and even dead mold can still be a hazard. The key is getting everything dry within 48 hours, which may mean ripping out wall-to-wall carpeting or creating holes in drywall to ventilate hard-to-reach areas. "Once mold starts to grow in insulation or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problems is by removal and replacement," says a brochure for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Q. How do I know if I need an entirely new roof or just a repair?

A. If the water is coming from just one area, it's likely because of a specific issue and a repair may suffice, said Ryan Beardsley of Hometown Restoration in Schaumburg, which does roof replacement but not repair. Homeowners should look in the vicinity of the leak for missing or deteriorated shingles, missing vent covers or flashing that may have blown off. In some cases, one-time leaks caused by high winds blowing water past normal protection areas may just need drying out with no repairs necessary. Many companies offer free estimates, but before picking a company, check their credentials with the Better Business Bureau and make sure the company is bonded, licensed and insured, Beardsley said.

Q. How do I disinfect my child's toys that were sitting in flood water?

A. The CDC recommends washing them down using a cleaning solution of one cup of bleach and five gallons of water.

Q. I don't ever want to go through this again. What can I do to protect myself next time?

A. Flooding is usually caused by one of three things: sewer backup, foundation cracks or sump pump failure. So to protect yourself, consider buying a sewer backflow prevention device, a backup sump pump, a sump pump battery backup and repairing leaks and cracks in your foundation, windows or roof. Regularly clear debris away from drains.

Q. Should I throw out my furniture or try to save it?

A. If it's wet with sewer water, toss it out because you can't get it clean. You'll also have to dump furniture soaked by rain water if half of it is underwater, or if it's made of particle board or porous materials like wood or textiles. If only the very bottom is wet, you can probably save it, said Mike Corliss, manager at DJR Cleaning Enterprises in Roselle. Either way, you need to act fast, because furniture made of natural fibers will get moldy after 48 hours.

Q. If the drywall feels dry, is it dry?

A. Not necessarily. Surface moisture meters or infrared cameras are needed to make that determination. People will say, "Oh, it's dry," but it's not and that's what causes mold to grow, says Michael Albert, owner of PuroClean in Streamwood. He recommends cutting the drywall in 12-inch increments, so it's easier to replace. Tip: when you replace it, leave about an inch or so at the bottom and put a baseboard over the gap. That will minimize damage in future floods.

Q. Do I have to replace the drywall?

A. Most times, if it's wet, you have to replace it, because the insulation behind it is not going to dry.

Q. What about the carpet?

A. The carpet sometimes can be saved, but the carpet padding must always go, says Peter Duncanson, director of training and technical support at ServiceMaster Clean. If the carpet was soaking in sewer or river water, then it definitely needs to be thrown away.

Q. What about the furnace, hot water heater, and the washer and dryer?

A. If they were underwater, you want them to be checked out by an electrical contractor, Duncanson said. Electrical wires could have been damaged and they could short-circuit.

Q. How do I know if my service provider is legitimate?

A. Scam artists are preying on flood victims now, so beware. To avoid being scammed, follow these tips from Allstate Insurance and the Illinois Attorney General's office:

• Never pay for anything upfront and never pay in cash.

• Get a contract in writing.

• Even if you're in a rush, try to research the contractor, and ask for insurance and references.

• If you think someone is scamming you, call the police.

• Be wary of contractors who go door-to-door, and look for the Better Business Bureau (BBB) logo.