Hurricane Sandy has left a soggy breeding ground for mould in its wake, and this may result in significant health problems for residents of flooded homes. As a first measure, “any structural or construction substance that got wet needs to be removed from inside the home,” says Mike Belk, a flooding and mold expert certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Then everything has to be completely dried out and some mold-contaminated substances must be removed before new construction can start.
If your home was stung by Sandy, here’s what to do.
American Red Cross
Get a professional to evaluate the damage. A surface in your home may feel dry to the touch but still have dampness under that could lead to mold. Pros, specifically flooding and mold restoration specialists, use moisture meters to detect this. “Not everyone can afford to hire a certified restoration specialist, so that they turn to somebody they trust and understand, like their own contractor,” says Chris Taylor, the IICRC’s vice chair of restoration standards. “But remember that accredited contractors are trained simply to design and construct and tear down if need be; they don’t possess the experience when it comes to a construction’s microbial degree — and structures need to be solid to a microbial level before you can even think about rebuilding.”
Belk is based in San Diego but has been contacted by a New Jersey homeowner and her contractor, as flooding restoration professionals in the hurricane zone region are deep in evaluations. “We spoke about how to wash everything that was water damaged,” he says. “We often advise, work with and rent out our high-efficiency fans and dehumidifiers to builders”
Eliminate all water-contaminated items. Drywall, insulation, carpeting, wood floors, cabinetry — some other wet thing needs to be eliminated. “If just a couple of things got wet and you’re doing things yourself with no specialist, then you may salvage something like furniture, but that I would not recommend it,” says Belk. “If it got wet, it has been contaminated with floodwater coming from the Hudson — and who knows what else it is brought with it.”
Taylor says visiting homeowners on TV going into houses with water up to their knees. “You can get hepatitis, tetanus, E. coli from floodwater,” he says. “If you really must enter floodwater, wear protective equipment from head to toe: nonpierceable gloves, gloves, goggles, overalls. Make certain that you don’t have any cuts or open wounds and take a shower immediately after.”
Dry, dry, dry. After polluted structural and objects and construction materials are eliminated by accredited professionals, it is time to introduce drying equipment such as high-definition fans and dehumidifiers. “Insurance companies also want HEPA [High-Efficiency Particulate Air] filters for mould remediation,” Belk says. “The drying and air-filtering equipment needs to be on till the moisture content of the rest of the material — the framing, the subfloors, whatever’s left — comes beneath the dry regular.”
A house’s dry standard differs per state and city. Most coastal homes already have a relatively high moisture content, but you normally want to possess less than 16% moisture content in your home, Belk says.
Gold Coast Flood Restorations
Eliminate all mold. Mold is the biggest concern with waterlogged homes; it may grow within two days of water contact. Belk adds that in ideal conditions, mould may actually grow in as little as 24 hours.
If mould is present however, the affected region is much less than 10 square feet, it may be removed safely by using the overall water harm techniques mentioned previously. “But for something similar to a waterlogged home from floodwater, homeowners should contact professionals after the storm’s cleared out, no matter how little they think the harm is,” says Belk. “If the damage is small, an ethical business may recommend straightforward DIY procedures and using a gentle detergent for surfaces that are affected. A fantastic anti-microbial broad-spectrum sanitizer should be utilized when mold is present.”
Whether you have flood insurance and you’re waiting for a professional to evaluate and work on your home, or you think you’d like to do some damage control your self, it is ideal to:
Avoid new water from arriving in. Eliminate the water that’s in your home already. “You can purchase wet-dry vacuums, sump pumps, even a mop and a bucket combo — do everything you could to get rid of the water before the professionals come,” Belk says. “It may make a huge impact in staving off more damage and mould.” Ventilate. Keep your windows open for as long as possible, night and day. Switch fans toward the walls and reposition them throughout the day so the walls warm evenly. Maintain the fans on 24/7 so that air can circulate through the drywall. Move items from the walls. Move saturated rugs, furniture and other items outside of the home to air dry. “I highly recommend that people not just move but discard any product that’s been polluted by the floodwater. It could carry an incredible number of germs and cause health problems in the long term,” says Belk.
Gold Coast Flood Restorations
A note on bleach. Builder Brian Rigney says homeowners get mixed signals about bleach. “Bleach may be good for nonporous surfaces, but it doesn’t permeate into timber, tile, Sheetrock, carpet or concrete. Professional steps should be taken to make sure the home is secure and mould free,” says Rigney, who often recommends clients to restoration specialists in his region.
Taylor agrees that bleach is not a long-term solution. “Just trained professionals may inform you if the mould amounts or ecology in your home is roughly the same as it is out of your home, because oftentimes mold exists on a microbial level”
What indoor environmental professionals perform. An indoor environmental practitioner — sometimes known as an industrial hygienist — works together with the restoration expert on sanitizing, testing and drying affected areas. “We all work about the affected areas in a negative air room so mould spores are comprised,” Belk says. “All moldy surfaces are subsequently treated with the antimicrobial agent; afterwards, a HEPA filter eliminates impurities that may have been introduced into the air.”
Homeowner Mary Kozma found mold growing in her Massachusetts basement after it bombarded. “Restoration specialists came in to inspect and treat the walls properly before we did some work on the cellar,” she says, adding that restoration work wasn’t something that she along with her builder-husband desired to perform themselves.
Hurricane Sandy’s wake is as much a health issue since it is a rebuilding issue, Taylor says. “Regardless of how little the harm is, I truly think that now is not the time to perform it yourself. Seek professionals with all the training and expertise to discover moisture sources, evaluate mold growth, contain harm, eliminate contamination and dry materials to make sure that mold won’t return”
Resource Guide: Recovering from Sandy