What Can I Do To Prevent Mold After A Flood?

Water damage is a common and serious problem in the United States. It is important to understand that whether your home has been damaged by a flood or busted pipes, water damage can lead to more serious problems than just wet materials that can be replaced. One of these serious problems is the threat of mold outbreaks, which can cause serious health issues and furniture damage. The good news is that there are steps homeowners can take to prevent mold growth caused by water damage. 

Steps To Prevent Mold Growth

Here is what you can and should do: 

• Dry the area thoroughly. Mold consists of fungal spores, so it likes growing in dark and wet places. Most flooded homes have plenty of these areas where mold can occur. Therefore, the first thing you should do after a flood is to dry the area affected by water. You may have to use industrial fans and a sump pump to get rid of moisture. Make sure to check every appliance and every cupboard for missed wet areas. 
• Reduce humidity. Even if you dried the area and removed all the moisture, high humidity can also cause mold spores to grow and spread. For this reason, you may have to invest in a dehumidifier to decrease humidity. Until the flood restoration process is completed, it is important to keep the humidity level in your home as low as possible. 
• Remove the affected flooring or carpet. If your floor or carpet has sustained water damage, you should remove it immediately. This needs to be done in order to stop mold from spreading. This is especially true for carpets and stone-tiled floors because moisture can easily get trapped in them. In some cases, you can dry your flooring by using baking soda and targeted cleaners. 
• Disinfect floors, walls, and other surfaces. Another important step is to disinfect the surfaces in your house affected by a flood. The purpose of disinfection is to eliminate bacteria called "biocides." You can use a consumer-grade disinfectant as it is strong enough to get rid of bacteria. 

Ahold of Mold Environmental – Air Quality Consultants in Buffalo, NY

If you could not prevent the growth and spread of mold after flooding, your next step is mold removal. If you live in Buffalo or any other nearby town in NY, you should contact Ahold of Mold Environmental – a local company offering a professional mold remediation service. The company has over 24 years of professional experience and provides a range of other services as well, including water damage restoration, duct cleaning, indoor air quality testing, home assessments, and more. If you are interested in any of these services, or you want to know more about the company, feel free to reach out to them. 

Categorised in: Mold Prevention