How to Deal With Mold After a Flood
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Another hurricane season is here and flooding & mold growth is always a main concern for homeowners. Dampness in the home provides the perfect environment for mold to flourish and if the water isn’t removed immediately, mold could already be growing within your home. Removing standing water and drying out the area should be a priority after a disaster to help prevent extensive mold damage in the home. Here are few tips to help you get started.
Post-flood mold remediation: Top Tips from the PRO’s
1) Stop the source of moisture and dry it out. If you still having standing water in your home, it needs to be removed ASAP. The longer the source of moisture remains, the higher your odds for mold are. If it is an isolated case, such as a leaky pipe, identify where the water is entering the home, and stop the water source as soon as possible. If it is more severe water damage, such as hurricane or flood damage, water can be removed from the area using wet vacuums, heat, fans, and dehumidifiers* as well as opening all windows and doors to better ventilate the area. Remember, water could have reached places you may not have noticed, so make sure to examine the area carefully when removing the water source.
Wet vacuums, heat dryers, air mover fans, and dehumidifiers are commonly used to help dry out a flooded area.
materials that are porous with extensive mold growth should be discarded.
2) Get rid of any materials that may be contaminated by mold. A good rule of thumb to consider is: When in doubt, throw it out. If an item has a porous surface, such as carpet or mattresses, and is already showing signs of mold, you will probably need to throw it away. Anything with a solid surface, like glass or plastic, that can be cleaned can be salvaged, and even some fabric, if found early, can be cleaned as well.
3) Sanitize the area and remove the mold. This requires more work than just using cleaners you can find around the house. Some areas without mold damage can be cleaned using household cleaners, but these won’t make much of a difference on porous surfaces where most mold hides. When it comes to treating mold, using the right cleaner is imperative to ensure that the area is properly remediated and protected from future recurrence of mold.
Although chlorine bleach is often used as a cheap, go-to mold solution, chlorine bleach is not effective or recommended for the removal of mold. It has been proven ineffective and in some cases, can actually cause mold to reappear worse than before. (For more information, see: “Why You Should Never Use Bleach to Kill Mold”.)
How do I remove the mold and keep it from coming back?
The Ultra System
UltraMean2 and UltraBan are commonly used in the mold remediation and home restoration process to help protect the home from mold.
The OSHA and FEMA recommended first step for post-flood remediation is to clean and disinfected the area as soon as possible. We recommend the use of UltraMean2, a non-toxic oxygenated bleach detergent designed to soak into surfaces to disinfect and remove mold at the source. Once the area is properly cleaned and sanitized, the area must be treated with a protectant to keep the mold from coming back. UltraBan is the perfect solution for post-flood remediation. It was designed to bond with the surface creating an invisible protective shield around the area that helps keeps moisture from re-entering and causing further water damage or mold growth. (For more information on how to apply UltraMean2 and UltraBan, visit:, https://www.rhinohide.com/.)
Should I call a PRO?
Mold remediation is not an easy job and even your best efforts to remove the mold may not be enough. There may be cases where professional help might be required. If you choose to hire professionals, ask questions to make sure they are using products that will help protect your home after it has been remediated from the harmful effects of water damage. When considering the safety and health of your family, be sure to do your research and most importantly, be safe!
OSHA Fact Sheet on Flood Cleanup: https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/floodcleanup.pdf
CDC Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters: https://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup-guide.html
Red Cross Safety Steps for Returning Home After Flood: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/20-Red-Cross-Safety-Steps-for-Returning-Home-After-the-Flood.html
*Please use caution when using electrical outlets after a storm, and do not use electrical outlets until it is safe to do so, as flood water can pose a gas and electrical threat to your safety.