Dealing with mold after a flood

Mold, which can cause respiratory ailments, can become a problem days or weeks after water is gone if the house or its contents remain wet.

* Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building.

* When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.

* If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.

* To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.

If you choose to use bleach to remove mold: Never mix bleach with ammonia. Mixing bleach and ammonia will produce dangerous, toxic fumes. Open windows and doors to provide fresh air. Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.

* If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you do not need to wear an N95 mask.

Edited by RemodelingGuy (12/22/06 05:29 PM)
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Jimmy McDonald
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Jimmy McDonald ( RemodelingGuy) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .