Water disasters are one of the scariest experiences in life. But even after the water risk has subsided, you should pay attention to some immediate problems caused by water damage, like mold growth.
Water-damaged properties are the perfect spots for mold growth, which can lead to many health issues. Fortunately, you can easily prevent mold growth on your property with these easy mold prevention steps.
What Causes Mold Growth After Water Disaster?
But before you learn mold prevention steps, you should know why mold growth occurs in your home after water disasters.
Mold likes damp and humid places to grow where it can receive plenty of oxygen and food. Thus, making your flooded basement the perfect spot for mold growth. The more time water remains on your property, the greater the risk for mold infestation will be
5 Mold Prevention Steps After a Water Disaster
1. Clear Out The Water
The leading cause of mold growth in your property is excessive standing water after water damage. If the water damage is due to a plumbing leak, you should find the source of the water leak, isolate it and turn off the main water supply while you fix the leak.
To deal with flood water, you should start by removing standing water with buckets or renting a water pump and a wet-dry pump to remove excess water.
2. Dry The Area
After you clear out the extra water from your property, the next step is to completely dry the area by removing moisture, as mold can grow quickly in a damp environment. Here is what you can do to speed up the drying process.
- Open all the doors & windows near the area.
- Turn on all the fans if mold growth hasn’t started.
- Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the area and keep the air cool & dry.
3. Remove Furniture & segregate your things.
You should remove your items, such as furniture and carpets, from wet areas. While most glass, plastic, and metal items will be relatively unaffected by moisture, and you can store them in a safer place with little to no treatment.
But for other items like electronics, clothes, and paper, you have to decide which things you can restore and which are beyond repair. For instance, you will need to replace or throw away any item exposed to water for more than 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Pro Tip: Before you discard any item, ensure that you have documented it in your insurance claim. It may help you get compensation for the damaged item.
4. Disinfect The Area
Once you have segregated your belongings, you will need to disinfect & sanitize the items affected by unclean water. You can start by cleaning these items with soapy water, and it also works on hard surfaces like doors and walls and may even get rid of mold from walls. Try to use hot water and non-ammonia detergent to disinfect your properties for the best results.
Make sure to disinfect the parts of your property vulnerable to mold growth, like the basement and other areas that receive less sunlight.
5. Get Professional Help
While you may try your best to prevent mold growth on your property, there are always some tiny spots that you can miss during DIY cleaning. It is why you should opt for professional mold remediation over DIY by hiring professionals for mold repairs in your home.
Professionals have many years of experience in mold removal, and they can spot & identify all types of mold growing anywhere in your home. Moreover, professionals use the latest equipment and effective cleaning methods that remove mold from your home without causing any damage.
How Fast Should You Act To Prevent Mold Growth?
If mold finds a favorable environment, mold growth can occur within 24-48 hours. It is why you need to act quickly after water damage in your property to prevent mold growth. As long as humidity levels remain high in your home, you can expect a high growth rate of mold colonies, especially on walls and ceilings.
Bottom Line
Mold growth is one of the unfortunate results of a water disaster. If you don’t detect and prevent mold from your property, it can cause many health issues and allergies. The 5 effective mold prevention steps mentioned here will help you remove mold from your house.
But if you are unable to enter your home, post water damage. You should immediately contact a professional mold repair company to prevent mold growth on time.