5 Steps to Prevent Mold Growth After a Flood

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

A dehumidifier will remove the moisture from the area.

Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home

If your Hamilton, OH, home has experienced a flood following a storm, you might be considered about mold growth, as you should be. After flooding, homeowners only have about 36 hours to act before mildew and mold can start to grow. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent mold from growing in your home.

1. Remove Wet Items

The first thing to remove from the home is big, wet items like furniture, curtains and pillows. They can hold a lot of moisture, so move them to the driveway or garage until they dry out completely.

2. Use a Wet Vac

Shop vacs or web vacs can remove water from wet carpets. If you don’t own a shop vac, you can rent one from a hardware store. You can also hire a professional to come in and take care of your carpets for you.

3. Air Out the Area

It might be a good time to invest in a dehumidifier, which will remove the moisture from the area. Fans can also help. If rain has stopped, open doors and windows to give the water somewhere to escape.

4. Remove Molding and Baseboards

Baseboards and crown molding look beautiful but can prevent the walls from completely drying. Removing all molding from the walls exposes them to air so that they can better dry.

5. Cut Small Holes In the Wall

Walls made out of sheet rock are especially vulnerable to mold growth. Allow them to dry out by cutting small openings along the bottom of the walls. This lets air reach the covering on the inside of the walls in addition to the outside.

These steps will help prevent mold growth in your Hamilton, OH, home. Still, after a few days without power, mold can start to grow. Contacting an expert can help you determine the best route for mold removal.