Our family, friends, and neighbors have been no strangers to very heavy, concentrated rain recently. Many of the calls we’re receiving are related to unpleasant, musty odors and black “dots” appearing on baseboards or on the walls near the floor. Contact us right away for a mold inspection if you suspect there could be a mold problem.
In the meantime, we’ve compiled a list of important action items you should take immediately to aid in the prevention of further issues. Take note of these items and know that our team of local, remediation specialists are available to answer any questions as you navigate this experience.
What Can I Do to Prevent Mold?
Generally, you should prevent water from reaching your furniture and walls, but if it happens, you should remember the 48-hour rule. According to the rule, you will need to dry out any wall or furniture that became wet from a broken pipe or storm within 48 hours. Failing to do so will most likely result in mold and you will have to replace the furniture and drywall altogether. However, there are a few other things that you can do if you already have water in your basement.
Turn All Electricity Off
The first thing you should do is to turn off the electricity. Once that’s done, you can go down to the basement and check the damage. You will need to bring a high-powered flashlight to make up for the lack of light.
Get Rid of the Water
When basement flooding occurs, it is imperative to dry out your home with a professional dry-out company. If there is standing water they will use a pump to remove it from the basement. Although the pump won’t remove all the moisture, it will allow you to navigate the basement more safely and easily. The pump will be followed up with high power fans and dehumidifiers that will dry out what remains to be salvaged.
Remove the Damaged Items
Next up, you need to move any wet items from the basement to a dry location. We recommend using the garage or the driveway, especially if the sun is up. You will need to remove everything quickly to adhere to the 48-hour rule, so you may want someone to help you.
Clean Everything Up
Use warm, soapy water to remove any grime and dirt from the walls and floors. You will also need to remove the padding and the carpet as it can act like a big sponge, holding lots of water. If you have carpets, don’t forget to remove them and to let them dry too. It’s also a good idea to pull back/detach baseboards if the walls got wet during the dry-out process because moisture can hide behind them.
Watch Out for Humidity
Once everything is cleaned up, you must get the air moving. An industrial blower will do the job perfectly, but you can also use regular fans. Make sure that you place them as close to the floor and walls as possible. You will also need a dehumidifier to remove the excess humidity.
Check for Mold
If you followed our steps, you shouldn’t have any problems with mold anymore. However, you can regularly check the walls and floors for any signs of it. Once you are sure that everything is safe, you can bring back your dried items. Just remember to leave a dehumidifier running in your basement in the following days to keep moisture levels in check.
Why the TimeFrame for Mold Prevention So Important
This time frame is approximately within 48 hours but it depends on the type of mold and conditions in your home. While only moisture and organic matter are necessary for its growth, temperature determines how quickly it will spread. The temperature that mold likes best is between 77 and 86 °F.
Once mold lands on some organic surface, it roots into it and begins feeding. Soon after that, it fills the air with spores that spread throughout the room looking for other moist areas to attach to. All of this can happen in just a few hours after mold first finds its foothold.
Final Thoughts
All in all, you should do your best to prevent mold from taking over your basement. If left unchecked, mold can become extremely dangerous to all house residents. Still, if you were not sure what to do and acted too late, you can always contact Mold Solutions. Our expert team specializes in keeping your home and family safe from mold. Give us a call and we’ll make sure that mold becomes a thing of the past!
