After a flood, going back into your own house is a huge step towards getting your life back on track. However, mould may present a new difficulty. Is there anything you can do to eliminate it? In what ways can you safely remove mould from your home? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has studied floods, mold, and cleanup and provides useful advice for homeowners and others on how to clean up mould effectively and safely.
Get Ready to Do the Dishes
For those who have a sensitivity to mould, any mould growth poses a potential health danger and must be eradicated. Don’t start mould removal process until you’ve contacted your insurance provider and provided them with photos of the damage to your home and its contents. Anything that was soaked by floodwater and won’t dry in a day or two should be thrown away or at least taken outside. The most important thing you can do to prevent mould damage is to dry out your home and remove any water-damaged belongings.
Use Caution around Bleach
When removing mould, many people reach for bleach. Wear protective gear such gloves, a mask, and goggles when handling bleach. Here are safety reminders to keep in mind:
Bleach and ammonia, or any other cleaning product, should never be combined.
Never use bleach without first opening windows and doors to allow the fumes out.
Bleach should never be used straight from the bottle. When removing mold, dilute bleach with water at a ratio of no more than 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water.
Wearing an N-95 respirator mask, gloves, and goggles will protect your mouth, nose, skin, and eyes from mould and bleach. Hardware and home improvement stores are good places to look for an N-95 mask.
While cleaning up mould after a flood, there are measures you may take to safeguard yourself and others. Follow the advice to ensure a safe trip back home.
Get In Touch With a Mold Removal Expert Right Away
If you have had flooding in your home or business, you should not delay in getting in touch with a mould remediation expert. The first order of business for any property owner is to remove the water, a task that can be accomplished with anything from mops and buckets to water pumps. The absence of water, however, does not guarantee the absence of difficulty. Mold will thrive in moist, dark places after a flood. Mold can become a major health hazard for your family if it is allowed to grow unchecked behind plasterboard and under carpet and flooring.
The Risks of Mold
In humid conditions, mould and mildew can flourish and feed on wood and other organic materials found in the home. When mould and mildew are disturbed, they release spores into the air, which can aggravate allergies and cause other health issues. This makes it challenging to eliminate mould entirely and safely. Property owners should exercise extreme caution before attempting mould removal without expert assistance due to the risks associated with the process. It is better to contact storm flood restoration professionals before taking any final decision.
Conclusion
After a flood, it’s common to have to rip out the carpet and replace the plasterboard. In most cases, a deep cleaning of other permanent structures in the home is necessary, and this is work best left to a mould remediation company.
