Protect your storm-damaged house against mold

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Protect your storm-damaged house against mold

Daily Comet - Thibodaux,LA*

Published: Monday, September 8, 2008

http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20080908/HURBLOG/809080233/1223 & tit

le=Protect_your_storm_damaged_house_against_mold

HOUMA -- A flood-damaged home requires special attention to avoid or

correct a " population explosion " of mold, says LSU AgCenter expert

Dr. Claudette Reichel.

" Mold is likely to multiply on materials that stay wet for more than

two or three days, " cautions Reichel, adding this means many

residents in storm-affected areas will face a problem.

" Even worse, the longer mold is allowed to grow, the greater the

hazard and the harder it is to control, " she says. " So as soon as

floodwaters recede and it is safe to return, don't delay cleaning up

and drying things out. "

The LSU AgCenter housing specialist recommends you take photographs

to document damage for insurance purposes and then get started

cleaning up as soon as you can return to your home.

" It is not wise to wait for the adjuster to see it in person, "

Reichel advises. " Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover

mold damages or cleanup costs. "

Reichel explains that exposure to mold – particularly in the long

term – can have adverse health effects.

" Molds produce spores that float and spread easily through the air,

forming new mold growths or colonies when they find the right

conditions – moisture, nutrients and a place to grow, " she

says. " Although there is wide variation in how people are affected

by mold, long-term exposure or exposure to high levels of mold is

unhealthy for anyone. "

Exposure to mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks,

may suppress the immune system or have other effects, according to

experts. Some types of mold also can produce mycotoxins under

certain conditions, which can be present in live and dead spores and

fragments in the air.

Although there can be problems from mold, the LSU AgCenter expert

says mold testing usually is not needed and is rarely useful to

answer questions about health concerns.

" Some insurance companies and legal services may require sampling as

a form of documentation, " she says. " And professional mold-

remediation contractors may test before and after cleanup to provide

evidence of the cleanup's effectiveness. But you don't have to test

just for the sake of testing. "

To prevent mold growth after flooding, Reichel says to follow these

tips:

– Remove wet carpeting right away. It's best to discard it, but if

you choose to salvage carpet, clean, disinfect and dry quickly with

professional equipment or outdoors. Never reuse flooded padding.

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

right away – even if wallboard appears to 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 or heaters, fans, and, better yet, a dehumidifier.

Water damage restoration contractors with special equipment

(dehumidifying blowers) can provide the fastest drying.

– Test the moisture content of studs and sheathing (using a moisture

detector) before replacing insulation. Wood should drop below 20

percent moisture content by weight before you close the wall.

– Do not use vinyl wallpaper. It prevents further drying of the

inside of the wall by blocking air flow.

Concerning how to clean up the mold that may already exist, the LSU

AgCenter expert offers these suggestions:

-- Refer to the EPA guidelines that can be found in " A Brief Guide

to Mold, Moisture and Your Home " or " Mold Remediation In Schools and

Commercial Buildings, " available online at www.epa.gov/mold.

– Minimize your exposure during cleanup. People are mainly exposed

to mold by breathing spores or fragments, but you can also be

exposed 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 –

including 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 removing and discard it. Even if not moldy, all wet

fibrous insulation and other materials that are unlikely to dry

quickly enough should be removed and replaced.

– Clean surfaces. Surface mold on nonporous materials such as hard

plastic, concrete, glass, metal and solid wood usually can be

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 colorfast, nonmetal 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 with caution. Never mix bleach with ammonia,

and test on a small area.

– Speed dry. Dry all wet materials as quickly as possible. Use air

conditioning or heat with fans and dehumidifiers, if possible. New

mold colonies can form in as little as three days if materials stay

wet. Wood and other materials that may 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 that it should be removed.

Rebuilding should wait until all affected materials have dried

completely.

For information on restoring your flooded home, see the " Storm

Recovery Guide " or " Cleaning Your Flood Damage Home " publications

that are available through LSU AgCenter offices or at

www.lsuagcenter.com.