Mold Precautions For Flood Victims
Release Date: October 8, 2002
Release Number: 1434-20
» More Information on Texas Tropical Storm Fay
San Antonio, TX -- In light of recent flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fay, individuals may find their homes affected by water damage. For those residents just returning to their homes and in the process of cleaning up after a disaster, the following precautions should be taken to minimize the likelihood of mold contamination:
- Flooded homes should be thoroughly dried out, a process that may take several days or weeks.
- Wet carpet and padding should be removed and discarded.
- Porous materials-those that absorb water-such as drywall, some paneling, fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, mattresses, pillows, wallpaper, and upholstered furniture should be discarded.
- Drywall and other porous wallboards should be removed to at least 12 inches above the water line. Check for wicking, the upward movement of moisture to higher levels.
- Clean wall studs where wallboard has been removed and allow them to dry completely.
- Floors, concrete or brick walls, countertops, plastic, glass and other non-porous materials should be washed with soap and water and then with a solution of one to two cups of bleach to a gallon of water and allowed to completely dry.
- Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using bleach and make sure area is well-ventilated. Don't mix bleach and ammonia. Consider using an N-95 rated dusk mask if heavy concentrations of mold are already growing.
- Materials that cannot be effectively cleaned and dried should be placed in sealed plastic bags to prevent the spread of mold spores.
- People allergic to mold and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions should not do mold cleanup.
Mold spores thrive in continuously wet conditions, and can start to grow within 24 hours after a flood. They can cause allergy symptoms, headaches, bronchitis, asthma attacks, lung irritation, and skin rashes. People with asthma or other pulmonary illnesses, compromised immune systems, infants and the elderly are more likely to develop mold-related illnesses.
More information is available online at: http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/beh/iaq/default.htm
The booklet, "Repairing Your Flooded Home" is available online at: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/afterdis/reptoc/htm
Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Jun-2005 14:22:04