Have a Mold Inspection if Your House Has Flooded
Heavy rains and spring runoff brings potential flooding for Utah residents. With that, raises the potential for mold growth long after the water subsides. Standing water creates a perfect breeding ground for mold to propagate. This is a rather speedy process and can result in the loss of carpet, furniture, drywall and leave a lasting health hazard for years to come. Any flood as a result of rains or even a pipe burst should be dealt with immediately. It’s best not to delay or try to handle larger jobs like this with over the counter-type solutions.
Health Concerns of Mold Exposure
With an estimated 1.5 million different types of mold said to exist, floodwaters put your home at risk of contact with more strains that normal. The more toxic and harmful of which are microscopic compounds known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). Commonly known as black mold this is a dangerous pathogen that can trigger allergic reactions, induce a number of flu-like symptoms, or result in serious lung infections.
Flooded Areas Affected by Mold
We hear the term home flooding and our minds conjure up images of basements sitting in waist-deep water. This can be true and is a real risk, but it is important not to forget other areas of the home the can be affected. Attics are another area vulnerable to flooding. Old roofs can become overwhelmed by the increased weight of water-soaked tiles. Compromised areas can eventually give way allowing water to seep or flow into the insulation. If the homeowner does not know this, water can sit in the attic for days, weeks or longer creating the perfect conditions for an infestation.
Prevent Mold With Clean Gutters
Clean your gutters regularly as well to prevent flooding during a storm. Furthermore, sitting water in gutters can result in fungal spores growing all along the perimeter of your home. Make sure drainage pipes extend ten feet from the house where they can safely drain into the ground.
Any of these factors allow mold to grow and transfer to other parts of your home through open windows or the interior ventilation system.
Basements Are Highly Susceptible to Mold After A Flood
Basements can be the most problematic areas of a home. They can hold a great deal of standing water and moisture after a storm. The remediation process should start immediately, if not sooner.
Mold remediation experts can drain or pump out the water out immediately and industrial-sized air movers should be used for a few days after to completely dry the room. A full assessment should be done at this point with anything that is a total loss being thrown away. Once the area is dried technicians at Green Home use chemical scrubs and biocides to remove any trace of fungal spores that may remain. The room must be then cordoned off with vents sealed as well. From here air scrubbers using HEPA filters can remove any lasting irritants that can cause a health hazard.
Mold Remediation Experts in Salt Lake City, UT
At Green Home Air Quality, we understand how stressful finding mold in your home can be. Our technicians can get your home back to a livable condition to quickly.
For more information, please contact Green Home Air:
Green Home Air:
3704 Laurelcrest St
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 784-2401