Be careful, thorough to avoid mold growth

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Be careful, thorough to avoid mold growth

By Bradshaw

Poughkeepsie Journal,Poughkeepsie,NY

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20070417/NEWS01/704170313/1006/NEWS01

CLINTON CORNERS - Phyllis Feder, who owns Clinton Vineyards with her

husband Ben, said their grapevines held up in the downpour, but

their house did not. She called 911 after finding a foot of water in

her basement and having to turn off her heat.

" My husband, he was going to try to pump it out himself, but when I

called, the first thing they said was, 'Get him out of the

basement,' " she said.

The urge to get water out of the house is natural. The water may

damage valuable and precious mementos, but it can also leave behind

mold - tough to eliminate and a potential health risk.

Any intrusion of water or moisture can cause mold to grow on wood,

paper and drywall. More importantly, it can cause health problems if

it is not dealt with immediately and correctly. Health effects

include respiratory infections, cough, wheezing, asthma, sore throat

and potential lung infections.

The state Department of Health advises all wet items should be

discarded, even those with sentimental value, because they may be a

health threat.

" As a general rule, materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly

cleaned and dried should be discarded because they can remain a

source of bacteria and mold growth, " the department's Web site said.

Replace all fiberboard, fibrous insulation and disposable filters if

they are in your heating and air conditioning system and came in

contact with water.

Next, dry your home as quickly as possible by removing standing

water with a mop or wet-dry vacuum, opening windows, covering any

sump pump wells, then running a dehumidifier on the high setting.

Once the room is dry, you are ready to start the cleanup process.

Wash and disinfect the walls, floors, closets, shelves and contents

of the house.

In most cases, common household cleaning products and disinfectants

can be used for this task, but don't mix products together and read

and follow label instructions carefully.

Smell is a sure sign

Mike Hogan, of First Call Water Damage and Structural Drying in

Stormville, said a person will usually notice a damp or musty smell

if there is a mold problem.

" Usually, your nose will tell you first, " he said. Look for

discoloration along baseboards, carpet, padding under carpet or wood

floors.

Hogan suggests a person who isn't trained should never deal with

mold on their own. Some of his clients used an air mover to dry

their basement, but what they didn't know is they were blowing mold

spores all over the home.

Eventually, when mold started growing on their clothes in their

closets, the owners had to evacuate, he said.

" You've got to know what you are doing, " said Hogan, who is

certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration

Certification.

According to the institute's Web site, mold growth is almost a

guarantee if walls remain wet for prolonged periods. At that point,

the institute recommends calling a professional, who will contain

the workspace, remove moldy materials and then clean salvageable

framing.

Reach Bradshaw at sbradshaw@...