Mold can be a problem long after floodwaters recede, FEMA tells Queens and Brook

[Guest guest]

Mold can be a problem long after floodwaters recede, FEMA tells

Queens and Brooklyn residents

EmpireStateNews.net - Newburgh,New York*

http://www.empirestatenews.net/News/20071004-8.html

New York -- It is common for mold problems to appear five to six

weeks after a flood, but Federal Emergency Management Agency and New

York City Office of Emergency Management officials say you can take

steps to combat mold growth and its potential to cause serious

health problems and structural damage to homes.

Also, New York State Office of Emergency Management officials warn

that floodwaters can damage household property in different ways.

There usually is no way to clean flood soaked carpets, carpet pads,

linoleum, fabric covered furniture, wet insulation and ceiling

tiles, so these items should be discarded. For heirloom rugs and

furniture, it is best to contact a professional cleaner.

Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, cooking stoves,

dishwashers, hot water heaters, washing machines and dryers that

contain insulation should be discarded as well, since these items

may harbor mold spores without visible evidence. Be sure to change

heating and air conditioning filters and have the system ductwork

cleaned by a professional so that mold spores do not circulate in

the dwelling or business.

Discard surfaces such as wallboard, sheetrock, chipboard and

particleboard. Remember, water can wick up higher than the visible

water line, so the best practice is to remove the wallboard at least

two feet above the water line. You can simply clean non-porous

surfaces like glass, ceramic, metal and plastic.