How To Prevent Mold Growth After a Flood

9/11/2019 (Permalink)

Make a flood cut

Mold growth after flooding in your Orlando, FL, home can be a major headache. However, if you act quickly, you can protect your residence from mold damage.

Preventing Mold Infestation

Because mold can begin to grow as soon as 24 hours after a flood, it is important to address the problem right away. Here are the basic steps for drying out a flooded area:

1. Remove standing water. The amount of water present will determine the best method for this job. Pumps and wet/dry vacs are commonly used.
   
2. Make a flood cut. Because water tends to wick upward behind walls, it is important to remove all drywall and insulation up to at least 12 inches above the waterline.
   
3. Dry or remove any other wet items. Make sure anything you decide to keep is completely dry.
   Run fans and dehumidifiers in the flooded area. This will help to remove any remaining moisture and retard the growth of mold.
   
4. Disinfect all of the surfaces that were exposed to water. Flood water is considered black water and contains harmful bacteria. Trisodium phosphate, bleach and commercial mold cleaners are all effective methods for disinfecting, but be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
   
   

Remediating Mold Growth

Unfortunately, it is not always feasible to fully dry out a flooded area before mold begins to grow. However, it is still important to work quickly. Containing and cleaning the mold as soon as possible may prevent it from spreading and doing more damage to your home’s structure. Turn off the HVAC unit so that mold spores do not spread throughout your home. You may also want to use an air scrubber to capture any mold spores floating in the air. Bleach and specially formulated mold cleaners can generally kill much of the mold present on your home’s surfaces. However, areas with more extensive damage may need to be replaced.
Although the aftermath of a flood can be overwhelming, help is available. Whether you are drying out a space to prevent mold growth or dealing with an existing mold issue, a professional restoration team can make sure the job is done thoroughly, safely and quickly.