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June

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By Mike Porco / in mould remediation, mould removal, water damage /

How To Prevent Mould Growth After A Flood
By: 911 Water Damage Experts

Figuring out how to prevent Mould growth after a flood is most likely the last thing on your mind. You’re probably still trying to wrap your head around the fact that your home and building materials are damaged. 

While this can stop you from taking immediate action, it’s essential to focus on Mould growth early on. You’ve only got a 1-2-day window before it starts to take hold and wreak havoc. 

What Is Mould?

Source: Pixabay

To understand just how serious Mould growth in a house can be, it pays to know what it is in the first place. Mould is the collective name for several different types of microscopic fungus. When they are left to their own devices, they can spread at a rapid pace. 

Mould thrives in moist and damp environments, which a flooded home can be. However, you may also find that mould grows and thrives in kitchens and bathrooms where ventilation needs are not well taken care of. 

The problem with mould is that it’s not fussy about where it grows. It will grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paint fabric, carpet, and more. It can be black, green, white, black, grey, yellow, or a variety of colours and cottony, fuzzy, velvety, or similar. 

Is Mould Bad For Your Health?

One of the main reasons you’re going to want to prevent mould growth after a flood is that it’s bad for your health. When mould has a chance to spread, it can trigger severe allergic reactions and asthma attacks in people who are susceptible to allergens. 

Mould exposure can also have more general side effects that impact many people, such as: 

-Coughing

-Wheezing

-Breathing difficulties

-A sore throat

-Skin and eye irritations

-Sinus congestion and infections

-Nasal congestion

-Upper respiratory infections 

How mould affects people can depend on their exposure, whether they already suffer from respiratory conditions, have a weakened immune system, are elderly, an infant, or a child. 

What Homeowners Should Do After A Flood

Source: Pixabay

In the immediate hours after a flood has wreaked havoc on your home, there are several things you’re going to need to do. These include Mould testing and a Mould damage assessment. You can then move on to Mould remediation with the help of an expert team. 

We’ve included some of the most appropriate steps to take immediately after a flood below. 

Step 1: Take An Inventory Of Each Room   

After a flooding event that has caused significant damage to your home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Where do you even begin? Well, you can start by going room to room. 

Write down a list of things that are damaged and information about their price, manufacturer, and where you purchased them if possible. Take as many photos as possible, as well.

All of this information will come in helpful for insurance purposes if you have insurance. 

Step 2: Start Drying

Property damage is not always something you have to take care of immediately, but it is when it involves water. Start drying wet materials as quickly as possible with fans, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners. 

Commercial machines are typically able to do a much better job, so don’t be afraid to call in flood damage restoration experts to handle the job for you. Remember, it takes just 48 hours for Mould to form and start spreading, so don’t delay beginning the drying process as soon as possible. 

Step 3: Remove Anything Wet

The fewer opportunities you give to mould to form, the better. Therefore, as you’re starting to dry the room, remove anything wet like carpets and soft furnishings.

Most carpet and soft furnishings affected by flood water will need to be thrown away due to the dangers of unclean water.   

You will also need to turn your attention to any porous building materials that are also wet.

Damp insulation and wallboards will need to be removed and disposed of as they pose a high Mould risk. 

Step 4: Start Cleaning

When you’re left with what is essentially the bare bones of your room, you can start cleaning.

It’s important to use non-phosphate detergents as other varieties may feed the mould rather than get rid of it. 

If you’re unsure how to clean a flooded room effectively, you can leave this job in the capable hands of a flood restoration team. 

Step 5: Use Moisture Meters

Even if you think your dehumidifiers, fans, and air conditioning units are doing a great job drying out your home, using moisture meters is a good idea.

It can detect moisture content in your studs, which is helpful for knowing whether all the wood is dry before you start installing new insulation and closing walls. 

How To Stop Mould From Spreading

If you haven’t managed to stop mould from forming, you can at least try to prevent it from spreading. There are many things you can do, such as: 

-Sealing off rooms you are working on with plastic sheeting

-Sealing items to remove in airtight bags before moving them through other rooms

-Bagging and washing contaminated clothing

-Using the shortest path in and out of the home 

Who To Call For Help After A Flood

When your home has been flooded, it’s not always easy to know who to call. It’s not like you can phone emergency services when there isn’t an emergency.

There are actually several experts you can rely on throughout the entire process. 

Flood damage restoration experts can assist with removing and replacing building materials while also drying out your entire home.

If mould has taken hold, you may also bring in mould remediation experts to test, assess, and take care of mould growth in its tracks.

Fortunately, these experts tend to work together or within the same company. 

You may also rely on builders to assist with any structural damage and plumbers to help with pipe-related flooding. Flood restoration experts and mould remediation teams often work 24/7 to respond to emergency jobs. You will always be able to access the help you need after a flood has ravaged your property. 

For more information on water damage feel free to call us at 1-833-WE-DRY-IT any time 24/7/365 all the time. We’re there when you need us!

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