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Repair Flood Damage to Prevent Mold in Your House

When it comes to mold, there is one important thing to understand – mold needs three things to develop:

  1. Moisture
  2. Organic food matter
  3. Proper temperature

During the floods, when water (moisture) is everywhere and food for growth can be anything from wall paint to card boxes, mold removal is often the most requested services by homeowners.

Whenever you are experiencing heavy rains and, thus, heavy floods, you should be set and prepared to prevent any damage that would occur.

Of course, even if you’re fortunate enough to live in a region affected by flooding, you can still learn a valuable lesson by reading about recent problems in flooded areas in the United States. It will help you learn how to deal with the mold issues in case you ever end up in this situation (and we sincerely hope you will not!).

What to expect after flooding?

Some flood-related damage is easy to see and even predict. For example, rushing floodwater can mix with sewage, which contains both human and animal waste. It can destroy your personal belongings in your basement and both water and food can become contaminated with potentially infectious viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

Results can be harmful not only for the natural environment but our health, too. In any case, flood damage is stressful on its own, without even having to think about what you can experience in the aftermath.

One threat that many flood victims often overlook is mold. Pros from Mold Busters state that most of their clients start thinking about the problem they have with mold once it is already there and in that situation, nothing else but professional removal can help. That’s exactly why prevention is the best cure you can rely on.

The image above shows what happened to a couch after a flood. It is also a great example of why water damage should be resolved immediately after it occurs.

How flooding and water damage are related to mold?

Water damage caused by flooding creates an ideal breeding environment for mold. If we go back to three causes of mold, we can see that moisture takes the first place and it is so for a reason. Moisture is the major trigger for mold. Let’s see why.

Organic food matter can be anything and it can be found anywhere. Think of grass, wood, food, paint, etc. And the proper temperature is any temperature a human can survive in, and even slightly lower and higher than that, like temperatures in fridges or microwaves. Meaning that these two conditions are very often met. But mold will not develop as long as there is not enough moisture.

If moisture is water (and it can be humidity too), then during the flood the third condition is easily met – there is water everywhere and in incredible amounts. That is why flooded areas often experience problems with mold after the flooding passes.

Once water leaves your home, you’re left with water damage and wet things. Not only your furniture is hit, but your walls, windows (if wooden), carpets, boxes, clothes, etc. If not properly dried in 24 – 48h, the perfect mold trio will be there – moisture, organic food, and the right temperature.

How to prevent mold after floods?

If you paid attention to the paragraph above, we said that the first 24 – 48h after the flood are crucial in mold prevention. Every action you take in that time frame will determine if you will have to call mold removal experts to help you deal with mold or not.

Water seepage can cause you to lose living space and permanently damage your furniture and personal belongings. Another issue that arises from water problems is the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause you and your family to have health and respiratory issues. To prevent water seepage – you can contact professionals for waterproofing solutions.

Remember – everything has to be properly dried and cleaned as soon as the water goes away (or you remove it). Only then will it be safe to return your things inside.

Don’t forget – people who are sensitive to mold may experience increased asthma symptoms, difficulty breathing, and irritations such as a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, skin rashes, and lung infections. These can also be the first sign of mold in your home.

Toxic mold in the aftermath of a flood is extremely hazardous to human health, which is why all recently flooded buildings must undergo a proper mold inspection, mold removal, and complete flood restoration to prevent further problems.

If you’re a victim of a recent flood, you should truly consider hiring a flood restoration professional to assess and repair flood damage to lower your chances of developing a toxic black mold problem in your home.

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