Mold spores need moisture to germinate and flourish, so, any type of water damage to your home may spell major mold problems. Mold will flourish on many different surfaces such as wood, tile grout, carpeting, fabrics, paint and so on and if it invades a large area it can begin to cause health issues for residents living in the property.
The molds which can lead to health problems are those which produce toxins named mycotoxins, if these are found in high concentrations they will over time cause allergies affecting the respiratory system and eyes as well as the possibility of causing nausea, headaches and fatigue. People who already suffer from asthma, the very young and the elderly are most at risk.
Therefore, it is vital that any water damage is remedied quickly and effectively to limit the amount of mold growth which may occur.
Obviously the cause and severity of the water damage will dictate whether or not it is realistic to clear up and get rid of the water damage mold yourself.
Severe flooding will most definitely require the expertise of a professional company to clean up, dry out and restore your property as this would be a major undertaking and would without doubt be beyond the skills of a vast number of DIY "experts." A professional company will also deal with any water damage mold clean up.
Alternatively if you have a burst pipe or something similar and the water damage is not too vast you may decide to take on the clean up yourself.
The key to preventing water damage mold is to remove the excess water and moisture as fast as possible.
#1 Remove everything from the affected area. If the weather is conducive take all furniture etc. outside and allow it to dry out completely,
#2 Remove any water in the building - you may need professional help or machinery to do this.
#3 Any clothing etc. which can be laundered should be laundered and completely dried also.
#4 Cardboard and paper are prime mold growing materials and therefore have to be removed and disposed of.
#5 Things like for instance carpets and rugs should be dried out as rapidly as possible if you are going to stand any chance of preventing mold growth and re-using them. As before if you can take these outside and allow them to dry completely this is the best option. Cleaning with a steam cleaner is also a wise move as this will kill off any mold spores and stop further mold growth.
#6 Floors, walls and wood must be dried out rapidly. Opening windows will help as will the use of heaters and electric fans (assuming you have a safe power supply!) but, investing in a dehumidifier is undoubtedly the best option. If you don't want to purchase a dehumidifier it is possible to lease one. There are dehumidifiers available which will not only help dry out the room/s but will also help remove mold spores from the atmosphere using a HEPA filter.
#7 Drying everything out however, may in some cases not be an option if water damage and mold growth are vast in plaster board, wall insulation, wood and floorings. These may need replacing to ensure mold growth does not become a recurring problem.
#8 Do not be tempted to cover mold growth with floor coverings, tiles, wall paper etc. or to bring back items such as furniture and soft furnishings until everything is completely dry. If you do you will only incur further mold problems in the future.
#9 Any mold growth can be cleaned from walls and other surfaces using various cleaning materials either commercially purchased mold removers from the store or household products such as vinegar or lemon juice form the kitchen cupboard.
#10 REMEMBER - If mold growth caused by water damage is vast employing a professional team to deal with it is the safest option.
