Mass. As Flood Waters Retreat....well, you know the rest!

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_As floodwaters retreat, homeowners fight mold_

(http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/state_news/x1664766698/As-floodwaters-retrea\

t-homeowners-fight-mold

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_http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/state_news/x1664766698/As-floodwaters-re

treat-homeowners-fight-mold_

(http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/state_news/x1664766698/As-floodwaters-retrea\

t-homeowners-fight-mold)

After water recedes, drying out to avoid mold a necessity

Torrential rains have turned the picnic area at Oliver Mill Park in

Middleboro into a water park. People came out to view the scene Thursday in the

nice weather.

By Alice C. Elwell

_GateHouse News Service_ (http://www.enterprisenews.com/)

Posted Mar 19, 2010 @ 12:23 PM

MIDDLEBORO —

As they waited for floodwaters to subside Thursday, many homeowners started

cleaning up amid warnings that mold could be their next problem.

On Vernon Street, Judy and saw the Taunton River overflow

into their backyard. Between that water and nearby Poquoy Brook, their sump

pump has been running nonstop in their basement – but the water continues to

seep in.

said he lit a wood stove to help dry out their cellar and

has already ripped up wall-to-wall carpeting and pulled out all the

furniture. said his furnace, washer and dryer appear to be safe

because he

had them mounted on cement blocks.

“I haven’t seen it this bad since 1967,†said , adding he didn’t

lose much other than the carpet. “We’re lucky.â€

But now has an eye on potential mold, and said he’ll coat the

floor and walls with a sealer to help prevent mold from taking hold.

Judge, of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, said that

even though it’s spring, mold spores can take hold, lie dormant and then

flourish in humid weather. Judge advised homeowners to take care of the

potential mold problem once their basements are pumped out......

Posted by Sharon