After a disaster, and particularly after a flood, you might find yourself dealing with the growth of mold in your home. This is particularly true if a hurricane or flood has prevented you from returning to your home and there has been standing water in the unit for a long time.
Be aware that mold could be anywhere in your home and not visible. Sometimes you suffer symptoms before you actually see the mold that is causing the problem. People with asthma, allergies or other breathing problems might be more sensitive to mold. If your immune system is suppressed or if you are wounded you might also be more susceptible to getting infections from mold.
People who are exposed to mold may experience sniffling, stuffed up nasal passages, irrigated eyes, wheezing, skin irritations and other problems. Those with lung disease could develop mold infections in their lungs.
Many people smell mold before they see it. It usually is a foul, musty or earthy stench. Discolored walls, tiles or actual green blue or black patches on your walls signify the presence of growing mold. Some people have a foggy, distressed feeling. Many get very sick for days just after a few minutes of exposure.
Your goal when you get home from a flood is to safely prevent the mold growth as fast as possible. Open your doors and windows and use fans to dry out the building.
If you are not sure if something is moldy take it out of your home. Porous items that have been wet for more than two days are the most vulnerable. These items need to be removed from the home. You should also get rid of materials that are known to be very vulnerable to mold damage including carpet padding upholstery, drywall, wall paper, drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation material, leather, paper and wood. You should also take away all clothing and food that might be contaminated.
Once you have gotten rid of all contaminated items you should clean everything with detergent and water. You can remove mold growth from objects using a solution of 1-cup bleach in 1 gallon of water. A stiff brush can be used to get the mold off of the oncrete. It is also a good idea to open the windows and doors wide while you are doing this. Make sure that you are wearing non-porous protective gloves and goggles to prevent exposure to mold spores and dangerous spores.
If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings