4 Ways To Mitigate Mold Damage After Flooding

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

After A Flood, There Are Four Things You Can Do To Minimize Mold Damage.

Flooding can cause serious damage to a home in Costa Mesa, CA, and secondary damage also poses major risks. Mold may begin to develop in as little as 24 to 48 hours if homeowners don't take measures to eliminate standing water. Here are four ways to mitigate damage caused by flooding and reduce the likelihood of mold growth.

1. Remove Water As Soon As Possible

Flood water can cause primary damage to building materials and contents in your home. You can try to remove water yourself with brooms, towels, or a wet-vac, but water damage mitigation experts have access to specialized pumps that can complete the job quickly.

2. Disinfect Hard Surfaces Exposed to Black Water

Flood water is considered black water, as it may contain potentially harmful bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals. Experts will put on personal protective equipment to clean and disinfect hard surfaces. This process can reduce the risk of secondary damage.

3. Have Experts Handle Porous Materials and Contents

Porous materials can be more difficult to clean, disinfect, and dry. This means that contents such as carpet can significantly raise the risk of mold growth. Allow mitigation experts to recommend the best methods for dealing with these materials. Some items may be capable of being cleaned with specialized equipment and others will need to be replaced.

4. Thoroughly Dry the Affected Area

Once all standing water has been removed and an area is clean and disinfected, it should be completely dried. Mold requires moisture in order to thrive. Mitigation specialists may use dehumidifiers to lower humidity levels and draw traces of moisture out of materials.

These are four ways to limit the risk of mold growth after flooding in Costa Mesa, CA. You can follow these steps yourself, but time is of the issue. Water damage mitigation experts will act quickly and effectively to stop mold from forming.