Storm season is never a good time, especially for homeowners in locations susceptible to flooding. When the rumbling, dark clouds come around, they almost certainly bring a heavy chance of flooding. If you’re currently in the post-flood period, you’ll know just how immense the scale of the disaster can seem. With all your belongings wet and submerged, it can seem as if there’s no way to recover.
Getting the water out is just the first step of the cleanup process. Water damage can quickly bring mold, which can cause several health issues. In reality, there is a lot you need to do to ensure that you can prevent such incidents in the future and save your furniture.
Furthermore, mold can spread incredibly fast to areas undamaged by the flood. It can be challenging to figure out how to deal with post-flood mold and water damage, but it isn’t impossible. Below, we’ll talk about some of the ways you can combat water damage and mold.
Water removal
The first step to dealing with water damage is removing all the water. Prolonged exposure to water can severely damage your belongings, and you need to ensure the area is clean and dry before proceeding to the next step. However, water removal can easily be one of the most challenging steps in the cleanup process. For starters, you need to identify the source of the water. Each source of water leakage needs to be dealt with differently. Furthermore,
However, it can be challenging for homeowners to identify different flood sources and tackle them accordingly. Instead, hiring professionals can make this step much simpler and faster. Professionals can identify whether you have white water or black water leakage and act accordingly. Black or gray water comes from sewage lines and needs a thorough disinfecting process. Technicians can remove any standing water and help you reduce your chances of developing mold. Getting quotes for water damage can help you stay prepared and deal with the post-flood situation deftly.
Keep everything dry
Although getting rid of standing water is the most critical step, it isn’t enough to prevent a mold infestation. In the aftermath of a flood, you’re likely to have a lot of soaked furniture. Additionally, your walls and flooring are probably soaked and can make it hard to keep mold at bay. In such a scenario, using a dehumidifier is your best bet. Dehumidifiers are especially useful for basements which can be incredibly challenging to dry out even on regular days. They work by collecting condensation inside an attached tank and releasing cool, drier air outside.
After you have a dehumidifier to dry the surroundings, you can start with getting all your furniture and other belongings clean and dry too. Mold thrives in damp, humid environments, and if you fail to dry everything up nicely, there’s a high chance of a mold infestation. To ensure that everything is properly dry, you can place your belongings out in the sun or a dry, airy place for a few days.
Sanitize your home
Mold can be a source of numerous respiratory infections. Hence, sanitization is thus an essential step in the post-flood cleanup process. You need to pay close attention to detail when doing so. If you overlook even a tiny spot, mold spores can spread through draughts and ventilation and re-infect your home in no time. Although it can seem challenging, you can eliminate any chances of the mold with a bit of effort and the right tools.
You can either use over-the-counter cleaning solutions or homemade solutions to eliminate any mold growth and additional bacteria. Bleach solutions can work incredibly well at removing mold spores, but it’s important to remember not to rinse afterward. However, if your belongings experience exposure to black or gray water, you’ll need to get rid of them. Sewage water can make your belongings a breeding ground for bacteria, and it can be impossible to clean them thoroughly.
Keep fans and cooling/heating systems off
If this is your first time dealing with a flooding situation, you might not know what steps to take. Many people often assume that turning the fans or cooling system on is the best way to dry up your belongings. However, doing so can make an already bad situation even worse. Mold spores are incredibly light and microscopic and can spread quickly. Fans can cause the spores to spread through the room, whereas they can spread throughout your home if you have a ventilation system.
Furthermore, excessive cooling or heating can cause issues in the drying process. If you cause any delays, the mold can spread much faster and to hard-to-identify areas. Instead of turning on any cooling or drying systems inside, the most you can do is open the windows and air out the place. Sunshine can help when you’re trying to dry up your belongings faster too.
Stay protected
Mold cleanups after a flood aren’t just about keeping your belongings clean and dry. Instead, it would help if you kept yourself clean and protected too. While you might not need a full hazmat suit, you still need to ensure you have protective gear. The first piece of equipment you need to get includes a respirator. It will help you keep mold spores from sticking to your clothing or entering your respiratory system. A simple handkerchief or cloth mask isn’t enough to keep mold from entering your respiratory system. Instead, get your hands on an N-95 mask before entering your home.
Next, you need to have proper gloves and work shoes before entering. Your home may be waterlogged, and apart from germs in the water, there can also be danger or electrocution. To keep such risks at bay, you need to wear waterproof gloves and shoes before entering. Additionally, you can wear goggles to keep mold spores from entering through your eyes.
Conclusion
It can seem too complicated to clean up your home and prevent mold and water damage after a flood. It can be super overwhelming to see your home and your belongings drenched, and the scale of damage can seem too much. However, if you stay calm and follow the proper steps, you can start cleaning up in no time. With these few tips, you can remove all water from your home and keep mold at bay. Although it’ll take some effort, these tips will let you ensure you can return your home to normal as soon as possible.
