When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.Know how to deal safely with mold. Obtain educational materials on mold control and clean up before any cleanup to avoid recurring mold growth and potential health related problems from mold cleanup.
If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth. If you plan to be inside Cylinder block mold the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, you should buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you do not need to wear an N95 mask.
To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.
If you choose to use bleach to remove mold:
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumesOpen windows and doors to provide fresh air.Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
Follow recommended procedures for mold prevention and cleanup. All molds should be treated with respect.
The extent, the occupants’ sensitivity, type of materials, costs and ability as well as other factors should be considered. It is best to have professionals remove mold contaminated materials and clean up.
If you must clean up items with mold yourself, use a quality HEPA filter mask (N – 95 or better), gloves, goggles, and protective clothing. (Particle filters however, do not protect against vapors and endotoxins given off by some molds. )
Brush off and clean mold and mildew growth outdoors if at all possible to prevent scattering of spores in the house. If items must be cleaned indoors, seal off the area from the remainder of the home if possible and close off vents that might circulate the spores. Create a negative pressure in the room so that spores do not spread to other rooms. Open a window and use a fan to exhaust air or dehumidifier to the outside through the room window if possible.
Items to be removed and destroyed should be covered or wrapped with heavy plastic and sealed with duct tape or placed in plastic bags and removed through the closest window or entrance to avoid scattering spores. Contact adhesive paper can also be used over an area to help contain the spores.
MASTER