metal ones, but they all just get in the way, and don't get the job done. I might even go out and built 2 of these using scrap wood tonight ! Excellent idea, thanks !

suggestions, but they really only work on a very small scale, not for a basement flooding issue.

Musty odors are mold odors. No smell no mold. That simple. Even dry dead mold will create odors should the humidity level rise. Because as humidity levels rise the once dormant molds come back to life again. Much like the grass on the lawn. Goes dormant in winter but add moisture and just a tiny amount of heat and you have mold again.

Check with your insurance company, Although they will not cover the mold clean up, but some still do, they should be able to pay for the lost items as a result of the water.

You need to dry out the basement within 24 hours or mold will begin to grow. Once this occurs you need to remove everything that cannot be cleaned. Carpets go out. If they can be professionally cleaned at a store fine, If not discard. Cleaning in place does not work, it only promotes more mold.

Wall board, paneling must be cut back to at least 12 inches above the water line. More if water sat for longer periods of time.

Once everything has been discarded that could not be cleaned and dried using HOT water and detergent your next step is to attack the walls. All exposed framing must be thoroughly cleaned, then sanded to aid in removal of stains. You will not be able to remove all stains, but at least try to remove any surface fungal evidence if you can. Then using a moisture meter test the wood and once it is down to around 12-14% you can paint. Ideally you want to use a professionally applied anti fungal encapsulate on the framing, but if that is not available, prime heavily using Kilz or similar anti microbial primer. Remember pretty is out, You want to apply heavy and thick to assure all exposed surfaces that had contained moisture or visual mold was covered.

If the wood remains damp you need to dehumidify the basement as much as you can. Many rental places rent commercial dehumidifiers for around $20 a day. Leave it run non stop for several days until the basement is desert dry.

Then and only then can you rebuild the walls and put your life back again.

's sentiments, your kitchen is very pretty. Thanks for sharing! :)

there are alternatives to fixing pipes other than breaking into the concrete. One option, if a pipe is under a concrete slab, is to look into relining your pipes. Several companies do this process but the company we went through which will answer some questions about how it works is http://www.aceduraflo.com

getting red water when the softener would regen. They gave us a new one and within a month, it was shot. Well then they retested it and found a major difference in the numbers...so now they have the settings as high as they will go and told us to put in the iron-out into the brine well once a month. I'm wondering if the tank needs replaced again (it's only been 2 months or so). They said the only other thing to do is add another softener on top of the one we have.

faucet, but it took the finish off of the drain cover also, A fairly new faucet, wasn't cheap, set was bought at Lowe's a few years ago. Any suggestions on how to refinish ?

psl51 @cableone.net

recently. The Brizo line is nice also.