Preventing Mold After Water Damage: A DIY Approach
/Have you ever experienced flooding or water damage in your home? If you have, you already know how devastating and stressful it can be. And to add onto that stress, mold can in fact start growing within only 24 to 48 hours after water damage has taken place. But if you follow the advice given in this blog, you may be able to prevent or at the very least limit the growth of mold in your home.
Removing Water
First, before attempting you take anything out of the home you must ensure that there are no immediate safety hazards.
Then rent or buy a pump or wet vacuum that you can use to extract the standing water from your home. Make sure to look in every corner of the property, leaving no standing water behind or mold will quickly begin to grow.
Next, remove all walls, flooring, and any other materials below the water line that could have been damaged by the flood water.
Cleanup and Drying
After all water is gone, you’ll want to carefully clean and sanitize your home. Begin by vacuuming any leftover debris or soil. Use a pressure washer on all framing and a mild detergent on all other surfaces. Carpet and flooring will need to be steam cleaned. If mold is visible after cleaning, additional scrubbing may be necessary. When all of this cleaning has been finished, carefully sanitize every surface.
Now you can begin drying. This step is essential, since the only thing mold spores need to grow is moisture. Rent or buy high-powered fans, and leave them on 24 hours a day for about a week. Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture. When the entire home has been dried, do everything in your power to keep it dry, so that the mold spores have time to die off.
Professional Mold Remediation
These steps may not be possible for all people to do on their own. Or maybe you’ve already waited too long and the mold has grown out of control. If either is the case, make sure you call The Steam Team to get a free estimate for mold damage, and help from our mold removal professionals. Call us for water damage in your home or office. We service Austin, Texas.
