Having to deal with a flooded home is a daunting task for any homeowner. Not only do you have to replace damaged items, but you also have to worry about the danger of mold. And while we hope you will not have a flooding issue, it is extremely important to know what to do if you experience one. Luckily, we’ll take a look at some procedures that you need to follow to minimize the damage and prevent mold.
Inspect the Damage
Firstly, once everybody is out of the house, you’ll need to inspect and document the damage for tax and insurance purposes. Otherwise, you might get less money than you actually deserve. So, make sure that you take pictures of every damaged item in the flooded area.
Remove the Water
The faster you remove the water, the better the chance of preventing mold. As a result, you should use a pump or wet vacuum to extract all the water from your basement, heating system, or any place where it could be pooling. Don’t forget to ensure that the source of the flooding is also dried up and doesn’t allow any more water to come in.
Dry It All Quickly
It’s worth noting that mold spores need moisture to thrive. Therefore, you need to dry the area as fast as possible. You can do that by using air-conditioning, fans, dehumidifiers, and heaters. Time is of the essence. If you can get everything dry within 24-48 hours the chance of creating mold growth is slim to none.
Throw Away Any Damaged Item
Unfortunately, not every item is salvageable, especially after serious floods. In fact, you might have to throw away items that are too soaked and can promote mold growth. So, make sure you check your pillows, mattresses, furniture, and even stuffed animals, and throw them away if necessary.
However, you can save items that haven’t been soaked by drying them immediately. You’ll just have to be careful not to take mold-infested things with you as you can spread it all throughout the house.
Stay Vigilant
After a flood, you’ll need to keep an eye out for persistent dampness and mold. As a matter of fact, for the next couple of weeks, you will have to keep your rooms’ humidity in check and search every nook and cranny for signs of mold.
Call a Professional
Ultimately, calling a mold remediation company is the best thing you can do after a flood. And while there are many professionals out there, few are as effective and affordable as Mold Solutions. Not only are we able to inspect and find traces of mold, but we can also deal with it effectively.
So why risk a mold infestation when you can give us a call?
Mold Solutions proudly serves the greater Chicagoland and St. Louis, MO. Local offices: Chicago, IL (815-469-8877) and St. Louis, MO (314-993-6653).
