Nothing quite matches the devastation that a flood can bring to a home, but unfortunately, the potential for further damage does not just end as soon as the flooding has subsided.
Floods leave everything they cover completely saturated with water, providing the perfect environment for mold growth to take root. This means that it is essential for homeowners to act fast if they want to avoid having to make even more costly repairs to their already flood-damaged homes.
Dealing with the aftermath of a flood is stressful enough and homeowners simply cannot afford to risk mold adding to the already long list of things to worry about. So, if your home has fallen victim to a flood, here is everything you need to know to prevent mold from taking root.
How Long Does it Take For Mold to Take Root After a Flood?
When it comes to preventing mold after a flood, it is crucial that you get to work as quickly as possible. But just how much time do you really have before mold can take root and become a problem?
Well, unfortunately, mold growth thrives in dark and damp environments, and flooding undoubtedly brings these ideal conditions right into the center of your home. There are plenty of building materials and other items, including wood, ceiling tiles, drywall, insulation, carpets, furniture, and many more that, once saturated with water, are the perfect surfaces for mold to take root on. So, because the conditions are so conducive to mold growth, you generally only have about 24-48 hours after the flood before mold will start growing in your home.
Tips for Effectively Preventing Mold After a Flood
While flood-ravaged homes do present the perfect environment for mold growth, it is important to remember that all hope is not lost. In fact, there are plenty of ways to effectively prevent, or at the very least significantly limit, mold growth after a flood. So, if you are attempting to clean up your home after a flood, here are all the things you can do to ensure that mold does not become a problem.
Remove Standing Water and Dry Everything as Thoroughly as Possible
Mold loves moisture, so naturally, the first step to preventing it from growing is to get rid of all the excess water and moisture in your home as quickly as possible. Depending on the extent of the flooding, standing water can be easily removed either by using a shop vacuum or water pump or simply by sweeping it out the door.
However, while standing water is one thing, sufficiently drying all the surfaces in your home tends to be much more difficult. You should try to manually dry almost every affected surface in your home, from counters and walls to the inside of pantries and cupboards, and then set up fans to provide further drying support. If left undamaged, you may even be able to use your HVAC systems to aid in the drying process.
Disinfect All Surfaces With Bleach
Disinfecting the surfaces in your home can also go a long way to preventing mold from taking root. Bleach is great at killing mold and by wiping down all the affected surfaces in your home with a bleach/water solution, you will be able to stop mold in its tracks by killing it at the source. The CDC recommends using 1 cup of bleach for every 8 cups of water.
Control the Level of Humidity
Controlling the level of humidity is another key part of mold prevention, so you should take measures to lower the humidity levels in your home as much as you can. Whether it is simply leaving as many windows and doors open as possible to circulate in fresh, dry air, using a series of dehumidifiers, running your heat pump on its dry setting, or any combination of the three, limiting the humidity inside your home can make it that much harder for mold to grow.
Remove Debris and Saturated Building Materials
No matter how hard you try, some items and building materials will be beyond repair and difficult to dry thoroughly, so in the interest of preserving the parts that can be saved, it is a good idea to remove saturated materials like ceiling tiles, drywall, and insulation from the equation as soon as possible.
Remove Wet Carpets, Rugs, and Furniture For Cleaning and Restoration
Carpeting, rugs, and furniture may or may not be salvageable, depending on the extent of the damage. However, in either case, you should remove these objects from your home so that you can dry, clean, and restore them if possible.
Isolate Items that Already Show Signs of Mold Growth
A day or two is not a very long time, and there is a chance that some building materials or other items become contaminated with mold before others. If you notice that something in your home is already starting to grow mold, it is best that you remove it as quickly as possible to prevent the mold spores from spreading elsewhere.
INX Indoor Air Quality: Comprehensive Mold Inspection and Removal Services in Kennett Square, PA
Whether you are dealing with the aftermath of a flood or not, finding mold in your home can be a scary experience. But, lucky for homeowners all over Kennett Square, PA, and the surrounding area, INX Indoor Air Quality is here to help.
With a team of highly skilled mold removal experts, unmatched industry experience, and a proven track record of successfully completing projects all over Chester County, INX Indoor Air Quality is the leading mold remediation company in Chester County.
Here at INX Indoor Air Quality, we are proud to provide a full range of mold inspection and removal services that make dealing with mold problems a breeze. So, if you need help dealing with your home’s mold problems, you can trust that INX Indoor Air Quality has what it takes to get the job done right.
Contact INX Indoor Air Quality Today
Are you ready to eliminate your home’s mold problems for good? Give us a call! Our friendly team of mold experts is always here and happy to discuss your home’s mold issues and tell you more about how we can help. We will even offer you a free consultation and estimate so that you know more about the extent of the problem and how much it will cost to fix.
When it comes to mold, you simply cannot afford to wait. So, call INX Indoor Air Quality and take the first step toward getting rid of your home’s mold problems today!
