Mold Prevention Tips for Flooding in Buildings
- if humidity inside is higher than outside (which is expected during flooding), open windows, on opposing sides of building to allow air to flow through to reduce indoor humidity.
- Water/humidity always wants to be in equilibrium, so opening windows/doors will naturally reduce humidity inside, as well as offering drying to building materials and contents if there is air flow.
- Drying units or fans, exhausting or pushing air outside of the flooded areas can help in reducing moisture. Professional units that exhaust outside can generally be rented by the day.
- Depending on the building materials impacted by the water, and time between the flooding and remediation efforts, different strategies can be employed.
NB - Mold will begin to grow in environments that provide it with a food source (drywall, wood, card board etc), moisture and heat (warm weather), between 48 - 72 hours after the flood, if mitigation efforts are not taken.
- Remove basebaods when possible. That will allow the wall behind them and the baseboeards to dry, reduce mold growth.
- If there are drywall/sheetrock/gyp board walls, consideration should be put into cutting/drilling 2-4 inch holes every couple of feet at the bottom of the wall to allow moisture escape and air flow into the areas behind the wall boards.
- Remove any water damaged carpets - they cannot be saved and will retain moisture and create humidity continuing to promote fungal growth.
- Move porous furniture to a dry space (outdoor deck, dry garage etc) to enable more airflow for the walls, floors, as well as the water impacted furniture.
- If drywall or wood looks dry on one side, it still may not be dry on the opposing side. Stachybotrys (black mould) may develop behind base boards, walls and flooring materials.
- Making penetrations in the impacted materials or pulling them up until dry on both sides, will reduce the risk of the harmful health affects of black mold spores becoming airborne in the living environment.
- Every situation is different. Depth of water, type of water ie sewer or rain water, building materials and contents impacted, time between flooding and intervention efforts.
- These are general recommendations. Professional assessment and remediation efforts by professionals is recommended to succesfully dry your home before mold growth can develop.
Wesley Huett B.A., WRT
Senior Environmental Hygienist
Enviro Pros Consulting
587.298.7767
enviropros.ca
enviropros@outlook.com