Ten Tips to Stop Mold Damage after a Flood

Flooding is one of the major causes of mold damage, and any mold in your home should be promptly addressed because it can pose serious health hazards. Exposure to damp and moldy environments can cause a variety of health effects for those who are sensitive to them, including nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, and skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have even more severe reactions. Immune-compromised persons and those with chronic lung illnesses may develop serious infections if they’re exposed to mold.

The key to successful remediation is to remove the water sources mold relies on to grow and spread. Follow these ten helpful tips if you’ve got a mold problem in your home:

1. Address all leaks first. You need to take care of all water problems in your home before tackling the mold. That means getting the flooded area cleaned up and dried out.
2. Ventilate the room while you’re working. Set an old box fan or a cheap new one in a window. Throw it out when you’re done cleaning, because the mold spores are almost impossible to remove completely.
3. Remove all water-saturated items from the affected area. Dry them thoroughly by hanging them outside, it possible.
4. Use a mixture of ½ cup of bleach to a quart of water to remove mold buildup from hard surfaces. Be sure to wear protective rubber gloves, goggles, and a mask so the solution doesn’t irritate you as you work. Once you’re done, dry the affected areas using fans and dehumidifiers.
5. Throw out mold-laden porous materials. This applies to items like ceiling panels, curtains, drapes, and carpets. Mold can easily spread into the empty pockets in such items, making it virtually impossible to eliminate.
6. Complete the initial cleanup by vacuuming up the debris. Vacuum using a standard wet/dry vac. Thoroughly clean the vacuum afterward by disposing of the filter and washing out the tank, hose, and attachments with the bleach-and-water solution.
7. Don’t apply caulking or paint to surfaces that still have mold on them. Not only will these compounds fail to solve the underlying mold problem, they will also crack and peel if the mold isn’t removed first.
8. Valuable items should be cleaned by an expert. Consult a professional with specific expertise, such as a furniture repair, art restoration, or carpet cleaning specialist.
9. Check carefully for signs of mold near your home’s HVAC vents and intake points. If mold has contaminated your home’s air circulation system, the spores could spread throughout the dwelling, creating a much bigger problem.
10. Mold buildups caused by sewage leaks or floods involving contaminated water require special consideration. Most lay persons don’t have the skills or equipment to address these types of problems, so if this applies to you, contact a professional immediately.

While minor cases of mold growth smaller than 10 feet by 10 feet in size can be addressed by homeowners, extensive or severe situations should be left to professionals. To learn more about mold prevention in your home or for assistance locating a reputable mold remediation company, please reach out to our knowledgeable, helpful team.

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