By Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia
If some of the more than 15 inches of rainfall our state has had
this year made its way inside your home and wasn’t quickly
removed, you could have conditions ripe for a mold problem.
“Across the Southeast, mold caused by flooding can trigger health
problems in sensitive individuals,” said Gina Peek, a housing
program assistant with the University of Georgia Extension
Service.
“Mold is ubiquitous in the environment, and it is extremely
difficult to remove all molds from an indoor environment,” Peek
said. “But you can control moisture to aid in the elimination of
mold growth.”
Follow these steps
If you suspect you have a mold problem caused by flooding, UGA
experts recommend: First, locate
and repair the source of the moisture, be it a leaky pipe or
roof. Next, determine whether mold is in fact present.
“If you see blackish or greenish stains on areas that were
water-damaged or notice a musty smell,” she said. “you very likely
have mold contamination.”
Peek says there’s no real need for expensive mold tests. Just
remove the source of the moisture, then proceed with clean-up.
Remove or thoroughly clean any area that is mold stained.
Make sure to wear a respirator and protective clothing, such as a
long-sleeves shirt and gloves, when working to remove mold. And,
keep children or allergy-sensitive family members away from the
area or
out of the house entirely during mold clean-up.
Throw away severely contaminated porous materials such as
carpets, damaged sheetrock and furniture.
Clean well or remove
Wood and tile surfaces can be scrubbed with a soap and water
solution. Be sure to rinse surfaces well with clean water.
Insulation in walls and ventilation systems should be checked and
removed if evidence of mold is found.
“Remember, people can react to mold, even if it’s in wall
cavities,” Peek said.
Aside from weather-related moisture, don’t forget to control the
daily moisture that can also create indoor mold.
To fight mold daily, eliminate moisture sources such as dripping
faucets, leaking pipes, puddles of water and wet bathmats. Use a
squeegee after bathing to remove water from shower walls and
bathtubs.
Peek also recommends making sure there is adequate ventilation
while cooking and bathing to reduce moisture build-up.
