Water damage is one of the most destructive things that can happen to your home, because beyond the initial structural damage that occurs from having your basement or home flood, the residual moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth after the water has been drained – a serious health concern. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the risk of experiencing mold growth following water damage in your home.
Fans and Air Circulation
One of the simplest and best ways to reduce the ambient moisture and dry out the water damaged area so that mold does not have the chance to take root is by improving air flow to the affected area. This can be done by opening nearby windows and installing a number of fans (the larger the better) in the area to prevent humidity from setting into the surfaces of your home.
Dehumidifiers
An additional option that seeks to actively remove ambient humidity from the air and increase the rate at which moisture evaporates is a dehumidifier. Portable units should be installed in the water damaged area, and they can help keep the area dry proactively, preventing mold and mildew growth.
Steam Cleaning
For any upholstered surfaces, including any water damaged carpeting, steam cleaning is necessary. While the use of steam may seem counterintuitive, due to its high level of humidity, it is actually very good at sanitizing the area, and will kill any mold spores that have not yet bloomed – not to mention working to remove dirt and other stains related to the water damage from the surface that is being cleaned. Just be sure to have a dehumidifier and several fans running during and after the steam cleaning. However, keep in mind that if the pad of your carpeting has been soaked through, or your furniture has suffered from extensive water damage and is completely waterlogged, it may be easier and more effective to simply replace it.
Wipe Down Walls and Baseboards
Finally, if the water damage in your home has affected any areas on the walls, ceiling, baseboards or crown molding, you should make use of sanitizing wipes or other chemical cleaning products – like a cup of bleach in a gallon of water – to clean the area thoroughly. Like steam cleaning, this will remove any stains or damage while also killing mold spores and ensuring that any further damage to the area is prevented.
Contact a water damage restoration company for more help.
Share4 September 2018
Even if you don't live in a flood zone, your home could be exposed to the same damages caused by the water entering the home during a flood. When a pipe bursts or an appliance malfunctions, your home could quickly become damaged by water. When this happens, do you know what to do? Do you know how extensive the damage could be? Having suffered through a situation in which my water tank burst and filled my basement with water, I know very well what goes into cleaning up the mess. Visit my website to learn what clean-up efforts were done by my family and what we left to the professional restoration contractors.
