It may suppress the immune system or have other effects

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October 03. 2005 9:54PM

How to deal with mold in your house after the flood

LSU AgCenter

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A flood-damaged building requires special attention to avoid or

correct a mold explosion. Molds produce spores spread easily through

the air, and they form new mold growths (colonies) when they find

the right conditions: moisture, nutrients (nearly anything organic)

and a place to grow.

Mold can damage materials and health. The longer mold is allowed to

grow, the greater the risk and the harder the cleanup. So as soon as

the floodwaters recede and it is safe to return, don't delay cleanup

and drying.

Take photographs to document damages for insurance purposes, and get

started. It is not wise to wait for the adjuster to see it in

person. Most homeowners' insurance policies do not cover mold damage

or mold remediation costs.

Although there is wide variation in how people are affected by mold,

long-term or high exposure is unhealthy for anyone. Exposure to mold

can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. It may suppress

the immune system or have other effects. Some types of mold can

produce mycotoxins in certain conditions, which can be present in

spores and fragments in the air. " Black mold " is a misleading term

since many types are black.

Mold testing is not usually needed and is rarely useful to answer

questions about health concerns. Some insurance companies and legal

services may require sampling form documentation. Professional mold

remediation contractors may test before and after cleanup to assess

their efforts.

The best way to avoid mold hazards is to hire a licensed, trained

and reputable water damage and mold remediation firm. After a flood,

that may be difficult. Since many homeowners' insurance policies do

not cover mold damage or mold remediation costs, many residents face

having to do the cleanup themselves.

If you do, wear an N95 or better respirator to reduce your exposure

to mold spores disturbed during cleanup.

Preventing Mold Growth after Flooding

Remove wet carpeting right away. It's best to discard it. If the

carpet is salvaged, clean, disinfect and dry it quickly. Never reuse

flooded padding.

Cut away wet wallboard and remove all damp insulation right away –

even if wallboard appears to be dry. Wet insulation will stay wet

far too long, leading to the growth of hidden unhealthy mold and

decay fungi inside the walls.

Clean with non-phosphate detergents (any phosphate residue is mold

food). If you disinfect, follow directions carefully and never mix

bleach with ammonia or acids (vinegar). Disinfectants can kill

molds, but they do not prevent regrowth.

Do all you can to speed the drying of subfloors, slabs and wall

framing before replacing insulation, wallboard and flooring. Use air

conditioning, heaters, fans, or better yet, a dehumidifier. Water

damage restoration contractors with special equipment (dehumidifying

blowers) can provide the fastest drying.

If possible, test the moisture content of studs and sheathing (using

a moisture detector) before replacing insulation. Wood should drop

below 20% moisture content by weight before you close the wall.

DO NOT use vinyl wallpaper. It will prevent further drying on the

inside.

Mold Cleanup Guidelines

To clean up mold, follow these steps and refer to the EPA

guidelines: A Brief Guide To Mold, Moisture, and Your Home or Mold

Remediation In Schools and Commercial Buildings. Both are available

online at www.epa.gov/mold.

Minimize Your Exposure During Cleanup

People are exposed to mold by breathing spores or fragments.

Exposure can also occur through skin contact. Wearing gloves and a

respirator that can filter mold spores (N-95 or better) is

recommended.

Isolate Work Area and Ventilate to Outdoors

Disturbing mold colonies can cause a massive release of spores, so

seal off the contaminated area from the rest of the house. If power

is on, use a fan to exhaust air to the outdoors.

Remove And Discard Moldy Materials

Porous moldy or sewage-contaminated materials should be removed,

bagged and thrown away. This includes gypsum wallboard, insulation,

plaster, carpet/carpet pad, ceiling tiles, processed wood products

and paper. To minimize the spread of spores, cover moldy material

with plastic to contain spores before removal.

Clean Surfaces

Surface mold on non-porous materials such as hard plastic, concrete,

glass, metal and solid wood can be usually cleaned. Cleaning must

remove, not just kill, the mold because dead spores can still cause

health problems.

After cleaning, you may choose to use a disinfectant to kill any

mold missed by the cleaning. In the case of sewage contamination,

disinfection must be performed. Contact your local health department

for appropriate advice.

On color-fast, non-metal surfaces, you may disinfect with a solution

of 1/4 to 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water. Do not use in the air

system. Milder, less corrosive disinfectants include alcohols,

disinfecting cleaners and hydrogen peroxide. Always handle bleach

with caution. Never mix it with ammonia; test on a small area before

treatment.

Speed Dry

Dry all wet materials as quickly as possible. If possible, use air

conditioning or heat with fans and dehumidifiers. New mold colonies

can form in as little as three days if materials stay wet. Wood and

other materials that look dry can still be wet enough to support

regrowth.

Remain on Mold Alert

Continue looking for signs of moisture or new mold growth. If mold

returns, repeat cleaning and consider using speed drying equipment

and moisture meters. Regrowth may signal that the material was not

dry enough or should be removed. Rebuilding and refurnishing should

wait until all affected materials have dried completely.

For more information on restoring a flooded home, see Storm Recovery

Guide for Homeowners booklet or Cleaning Flood-damed Homes fact

sheet available from LSU AgCenter offices or www.lsuagcenter.com.