So you’ve finally recovered from the havoc of a burst pipe, pipe leakage or flooding. You must think that the ordeal is over. But before you settle down in your routine there’s a very important task that needs to be taken care of.
The area exposed to water damage is highly susceptible to mold growth. And if you don’t take steps to prevent mold, you’ll be facing the wrath of it all. There can be serious effects on your health, and of course more damage to the woodwork and wall paint.
Mold can grow within a couple of days of water exposure. So you need to take some preventive steps without further delay.
Wondering how to deal with the situation? Don’t fret. Just follow this step by step guide and rest assured that your problem will be sorted.
1. Get rid of all the water
The flood may have subsided. But don’t expect the collected water to drain out easily. You may need to pump out the water manually or rent out pumps. While you’re venturing out on the cleaning drive, take care that you’re wearing protective clothing and gloves.
Getting in physical contact with stagnant water, especially contaminated water from sewer can be harmful. It is advisable to call for professional drain and water cleanup service in case the situation seems beyond your capacity.
2. Set aside the damaged movable items
Once you’ve got rid of the water, you’d have to remove all the items that have been affected. This includes rugs, carpets, furniture and upholstery. Note that these items may take longer to dry completely. You can leave these items to dry out in an open space under the sun. This will ensure that the drying is thorough and there won’t be any risk of mold growth in future.
You should also steam clean the area once all the movables are removed.
3. Intensive drying
This is the most important step and you should take all efforts to ensure that the drying is complete and thorough. Leaving moisture in the room and the resultant humidity can increase the chances of mold growth.
Use a wet vacuum to collect as much water as you can. Any remaining water can be soaked in rags. You can also rent industrial fans to get rid of the humidity and speed up the drying process.
Even after the extensive drying process, it’s possible that the humidity levels don’t drop down to satisfactory levels. This is likely to occur during the rainy or winter season when sunshine is limited. In this case you should install a dehumidifier to maintain the dryness for a few days.
4. Sanitization and cleaning
Once the place is dried and ready, the next step is thorough sanitization. It’s not just about cleaning the floor. Anything that may have come in contact with water needs to be sanitized, especially if your space was flooded with sewer water. This includes walls and baseboards too.
Cleaning products available in the market are pretty effective at killing bacteria and mold. If these products are not easily available in your locality, you can also use bleach.
5. Double check for residual mold
Before you move everything back in the room and replace the furniture, run a final check for residual mold. Even a small patch of mold can spread very quickly. If you see signs of recurring mold growth, you’ll need professional help. An experienced plumbing agency can give a thorough inspection of the area and assess the potential of mold growth in future.
