Q I had water in my basement about two years ago. It gets a musty smell once in a while. Is the musty smell from the carpet? I never replaced it. Or is it from the wooden window frame? I need to fix this myself. Is there a solution?
A Start by removing the carpet and pad.
After water damage, you have 24 to 48 hours to clean, dry and sanitize surfaces and furnishings before mold starts to grow. Once it starts to grow, most items aren't salvageable. Carpet may dry in that time, but the padding rarely does. It's always recommended to toss the carpet pad after it's gotten wet. Most say it's not worth it to try saving the carpet.
Once you get rid of the carpet and pad, remove visible dirt on hard surfaces with a soapy solution (such as Spic and Span). Then decontaminate by scrubbing with a solution of one-half cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Wear gloves and goggles and do not mix bleach with other cleaning products. Keep area ventilated. Do not rinse; let it dry on the surface.
Treat the window frame the same way. (For more information on drying and cleaning after water leakage, go to www.extension.umn.edu and type "flood" in the search box.)
You can replace carpet, but I don't recommend wall-to-wall carpet in a basement. Moisture passes easily through the concrete slab, and over time creates conditions conducive to mold. Even if you don't have a leakage problem, you can get mold on the carpet pad or backing. Choose a hard surface and an area rug that can be taken up for occasional airing and cleaning.
Basements and below-grade living areas in Minnesota are damp in warmer months and often musty-smelling. Operate a dehumidifier to remove the moisture, and that usually will control the musty odors.
Insurance for adult child Q In a recent column you stated you can get car insurance for an adult child living at home. When I asked my agent about it a couple of years ago I was told that only car owners could purchase auto insurance. Could you clarify this?
