Tips on mold removal after an unexpected flash flood
Post floods, mold growth can be a big concern. Molds are microscopic fungi that can germinate and breed in a moist environment or in organic substances. So, if your home has been flooded, there is a high risk of mold proliferation. One of the biggest health risks of indoor mold is the allergies that can be triggered.
Though the effects of mold on people can vary a lot, some of the common things that can happen due to high mold exposure include nasal and sinus congestion, wheezing and breathing problems, cough, eye irritation, sinus infections, chest congestion, sore throat, skin irritation etc. Even if some people may not be impacted on a short-term basis, there is always the risk of long-term damage. The people who are at high risk due to mold growth include:
Infants and small children under 12 years of age
Individual with sensitive nasal passage, for instance those who get frequent sinus problems and asthma attack
People with weak immune system due to fever, infection, surgery, chemotherapy patients etc.
Look out for and sniff out mold growths. You can detect molds by its musty smell. After floods, it is natural for mold formation to take place. Molds are conspicuous by their leathery, cottony texture and different colors like green, yellow, black, brown, white and gray or even discolored to some extent.
After the a flooding disaster it is possible that there will be mold growth. It will be very important to contact a water damage restoration professional. If you want to remove molds yourself, you can wear protective gear like rubber glove, eye goggles, long-sleeved shirts and respirators. It is however, better to leave the work of cleaning and mold removal to a specialist after a natural disaster has taken place. They will not clean the area and sanitize it but they will also take measures to prevent mold formation in your home if possible.
Mold growths are not only seen in obvious moist places like bathrooms, courtyard etc but also in certain places that you least expect. It is not possible to extent the damage by just seeing or sensing molds. A mold removal specialist is well-trained in identifying the lesser known spots where molds germinate. Also do not ask professionals to test the mold, it is a wasteful thing to do where you will be just blowing money. Mold is there, period; after a water clogging issue in your home. Even if mold removal professionals are working and you want to check how things are being done, you should wear a protective gear like N95 or N100 disposable respirator. If you are allergic to molds and have sinus problems or worse breathing problems in such conditions, then either ask someone else to check or wear a more protective respirator like P100 with HEPA filter.
Mold can also be seen on hard plastic, metal, glass, hard wood etc but all of these can be removed by proper cleaning. After removing mold and other types of dirt, the mold removal specialist will use a disinfectant which may remove all traces of mold growth.
