Do you have water damage from a roof leak or storm damage? In South Florida, we are in danger of lowland flooding from tropical storms and hurricanes. This type of damage can introduce mold into your home. Did you know bleach is NOT recommended for removing mold, especially on porous surfaces like wood? According to moldpedia.com there are specific steps to follow to deal with water or flood damage. Here’s an infographic we made to help you understand the steps to Deal With Mold…
If your house has been in a flood there’s a good chance you will end up with a mold problem. However, there are steps you can take to try to prevent mold growing in your home after it’s been flooded.
Hire A Pro!
Hiring a professional cleaner is always the best option. But if that’s not an option, here are steps to help deal with mold:
1. Move Things Outside That Didn’t Get Wet
If you’re going to perform the flood clean-up yourself then you should begin by moving things outside that didn’t get wet. This is to protect them while you clean up the rest of the house.
2. Remove Water And Dry Out The House
Remove as much floodwater from your home as you can. Also remove any dirt, mud or other debris that came into your house during the flood.
3. Remove Wet And Moldy Furniture
If carpet in your home got wet then you need to get rid of it. If a room with drywall was flooded then you’ll need to cut away the bottom section of drywall that’s at least 12 inches above where it got wet. If you see mold growing on any drywall then you’ll need to remove it. You should also take anything that got wet during the flood, such as furniture and boxes, out of your home.
4. Clean Non-Moldy Surfaces
Once surfaces in your home have dried you can begin to clean and disinfect them. Regular household cleaners and disinfectants are generally alright to use. Antifungal solutions can also be used to prevent mold.
5. Remove Mold On All Surfaces
DO NOT USE BLEACH! Although bleach can be effective at killing mold on non-porous surfaces, it does not remove mold from materials like wood. Instead, use a borax solution of one box per gallon of water and a scrub brush. You can also use a 50/50 solution of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
There are a few other options for removing mold in your home that can be found at http://moldpedia.com/mold-removal. The most important thing to remember is to always make sure it is safe to enter your home before taking any steps to clean and be sure to have proper ventilation when dealing with mold and chemicals.
