Prevention Of Secondary Mold And Mildew Growth After A Hurricane

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Prevention Of Secondary Mold And Mildew Growth After A Hurricane

7 October 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Now that hurricane season is here again, it is vital that you know how to prevent secondary mold and mildew growth in areas of your home that become flooded during storms. Since water damage restoration resources can be limited during an emergency situation, it's important that you know how to help yourself while you wait for professional aides to arrive. To this end, follow this procedure while you are waiting for assistance:

Step 1: Completely Clear the Affected Rooms

All of the rooms of your home that have been flooded with water need to be completely cleared of their furniture and other contents so the drying process will be successful. Even if you are storing items in plastic totes or other containers that are not harmed by water, they still need to be taken out. Otherwise, undetected water will sit below the tubs and lead to future mold and mildew growth. Place all items outside if the storm has passed or on higher floors in your home if you have them.

Step 2: Use a Wet-Dry Vacuum to Remove Standing Water

If there is a layer of standing water still inside of your home, you should remove it using a wet-dry vacuum. If you do not have a wet-dry vacuum, you can always use a carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaning machines can be rented at most grocery stores.

Step 3: Ventilate the Affected Rooms

Ventilation is important when you are trying to dry out your home. Ventilation gives the moisture a way to escape from your home and will lower the humidity level in the house. This is necessary to achieve a completely dry space. Open all of the windows in your home and run as many fans as you own to help move the air around and ultimately out of the windows.

Step 4: Spray Your Home's Concrete Slab with a Bleach Solution

Any carpeting and carpet pads need to be completely removed from rooms that are wet. If the flooded rooms of your home have concrete floors, then you should spray a solution of bleach and water onto the floors. Let the bleach solution dry on the concrete and it will kill any mold and mildew spores that are present.

Finally, when the water damage restoration contractors arrive on scene, they will use a combination of the following equipment to remove the remaining water and mold spores from your home:

  • chemical drying agents
  • air scrubbers
  • dehumidifiers
  • desiccants

In addition, they will take special care to dry wooded floors and framing using convective drying techniques. Contact a company like Spotless Carpet Cleaners & Janitorial Services Inc to get started on restoring your home.