A home flood is probably way up high on every homeowner’s list of worst nightmares. It’s one of those things that even though you have insurance for it, nothing will make up for the damage it causes to your precious belongings, and of course, there’s the huge mess it leaves behind, and that comes with the terrible stench of damp.
Now, as bad as home floods are the mold that appears after them makes them seem so much worse. So, how can you prevent mold in your home after it has flooded?
Can Mold Growth Be Prevented After A Flood?
Your home has been flooded ruining your beloved heirloom furniture, but that’s not the worst of it. If you don’t work fast to find a water damage remediation specialist you are also facing the danger of having mold grow in your house, along with all of the health risks it entails.
There is only one way to prevent mold growing in your home after it has been flooded and that it has the water removed from the house and have the building cleaned and dried out as quickly as possible.
In order to do this open all doors and windows to get fresh air in and if you have them use fans and dehumidifiers.
Remove all furniture / porous items that haven’t or cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpeting, furniture, leather, paper, food, clothing and fabric, and wood.
Make sure to clean all surfaces with water and detergent to prevent mold from growing on them.
Don’t turn on your air conditioner if there is flood water in it. All parts of your HVAC system should be thoroughly inspected, cleaned of dirt and debris, and disinfected by a professional prior to use.
It doesn’t take long for mold to develop and spread after a flood, so act fast because you only have about 24 hours.
Don’t forget about safety! Make sure to wear protective gear. Cover your eyes, nose, and hands while dealing with mold, and it’s best to wear long clothing and work shoes. It is recommended that people who suffer from allergies do not work with mold.
Once the house is clean, dry and mold-free you can paint over the water damaged areas.
Do You Need A Mold Removal Specialist?
It is not always easy to prevent mold from growing in your home after a flood because there is mold in the air all the time and the damp conditions are very inviting for mold. If you are unable to remove the water, dry your house and prevent mold from growing we suggest you speak to professional water damage and mold remediation specialist.