To hold mold at bay, flash flooding cleanup can't wait

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To hold mold at bay, flash flooding cleanup can't wait

by Sara Sheffield, KY3 News

KY3 - Springfield,MO*

Jun 17, 2008

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/20116684.html

SPRINGFIELD -- Cleanup is underway after the worst flash flooding in

the city in 15 years. Those who waited to mop it up could pay an

unhealthy price later.

Business is booming for those who fix water damage. Those experts

have a word of caution for those who are still waiting: if you

haven't started cleaning up from the flood by now, it could be some

bad news as mold and mildew start to set in.

" You can see the line on the closet door, " said Tamara Schodde, who

lives on South Lone Pine Avenue.

Schodde has been working nonstop since Friday, when floodwater

poured into her front door and ended up all over the house.

" I'll be in trouble if I do see some mold cause that's something

that spreads, " she said.

Unless you get on it quickly, that's exactly what professional

cleaners say could happen.

" The sooner they can start on it, the better, " said Jim Fry of the

Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Schodde's walls are wet and most of her belongings are now boxed up.

At her neighbor's house, the damage was too extensive for a do-it-

yourself project. That's why a hired crew was there.

" We extracted the water, pulled the carpet up, pulled the wet pad

out and sprayed anti-microbial, dried out the carpet, " said Bobby

Salley with Mr. Power Clean.

That's crucial in making sure no mold sets-in.

" It's got 72 hours before it becomes present and, once it becomes

present, then it can be a problem, " said Salley.

Salley has been slammed since Friday.

" We worked Father's Day and worked Saturday all day, " he said.

But he says it's better that homeowners get it cleaned up now than

to really be in deep down the road.

" It will start with a fuzzy looking growth either on the carpet or

back on the paneling or wall surface. If that starts then you're

starting to get some mold growth, " said Fry.

Fry says property owners can do it themselves. He says you must

replace the pad but you can dry the carpet out in the sun. That

should kill the bacteria. Also, with vinyl floors, you can use a

bleach water mix to wash them down.

If it's too bad, call in the pros.