Alert: Flooded Homes Can Have Mold Dangers
If your home was flooded during Hurricane Ike, it may have mold. Mold can cause serious health problems. Make sure to read through these safety guidelines before you enter your house.
Steps for Removing and Preventing Mold
What to Wear When Cleaning Up Mold
How to Know When Clean-Up Is Done
Steps for Removing and Preventing Mold
Your clean-up process will depend on the amount of damage to your home. Here are some general steps you can take to help prevent mold growth:
- Immediately drain out any standing water.
- Remove any items that were damaged, such as carpet, furniture, mattresses, and wall boards. During high humidity, mold and microorganisms can quickly and easily grow in these items. You may just want to temporarily store these items outside your home until you file insurance claims.
- Remove and throw out anything that has been wet for more than 24-48 hours. Even though you might not be able to see any mold, things that have stayed wet for two days have mold growing on them.
- Scrub mold off of hard surfaces with household cleaners or detergent and water. Use a stiff brush. You can also use a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach and 1 gallon of water. Do NOT mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. This can produce toxic fumes.
- Do not just paint over or caulk moldy surfaces. The paint is likely to just peel off. Also, you may have to remove and replace wall coverings. Mold can grow in wallpaper paste.
- Increase ventilation in your home to let indoor areas dry and to decrease the humidity. Open all doors and windows. It’s best not run the central air condition or heating systems before your home has been cleaned and dried, since this could further contaminate the building.
- Items made of cloth, such as clothing, bedding and curtains, should be washed in hot water or dry-cleaned.
What to Wear
Stay safe during the clean-up process! Make sure to wear the following:
- A N95 Mask. This mask helps you avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. You can purchase one at a hardware store or online. Get a list of N95 mask distributors that have been approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- Rubber boots and gloves. The EPA recommends long gloves that extend to the middle of your forearm.
- Goggles. To avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes, the EPA recommends goggles that do not have ventilation holes.
- Learn more about what to wear when cleaning moldy areas on the EPA website.
If the water or mold damage was caused by sewage or contaminated water, it is best to call in a professional. Make sure they are licensed or insured. If you hire a contractor, make sure the contractor has experience in cleaning up mold.
Get tips on hiring a good contractor and avoiding fraud.
How to Know When Clean-Up Is Done
Your home may be safe from mold if:
- You no longer see or smell any mold. When you revisit the site after cleanup, there should also be no more signs of water damage or mold growth.
- You and your family will not show any signs of health affects or physical symptoms when you occupy the space.
- You may want to hire an independent expert to inspect the building for mold after the clean-up.
Complete Guides to Protecting Yourself from Mold For more detailed information on removing and preventing mold, download the following:
- The CDC Mold Cleanup and Removal Guide
- The EPA’s guide to “Mold, Moisture and Your Home”
- The EPA’s guide to “Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions about mold and your health, you can call these toll-free hotlines:
- FEMA: 1 (800) 621-3362 [1 (800) 621-FEMA], 1 (800) 462-7585 (TTY)
- Red Cross: 1 (866) 438-4636 [1 (866) GET-INFO]
- CDC: 1 (800) 232-4636 [1 (800) CDC-INFO]
Related Links:
For additional information on cleaning up mold after a natural disaster, visit the CDC’s website.
