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A flooded apartment requires immediate attention that goes beyond drying wet carpet.According to disaster response officials, the risk of illnesses associated with exposure to mold following flooding can be reduced. Mold is nothing to take lightly. But well-informed property owners and managers along with thorough remediation can minimize the impact of an outbreak if a unit gets soaked for whatever reason. In a flooded apartment unit, mold can escalate and grow behind walls, cabinets, and in closets if areas are not dried properly, especially if there is a pre-existing problem. It is unlikely that a mold outbreak that appears immediately after flooding was caused by the recent onslaught of water. Usually, that signals an existing problem, because it takes 7-10 days for mold to grow visible colonies if no previous mold growth existed. A visual inspection of the premises can determine whether mold is growing on the property. When people think of mold, they usually visualize green or black furry cultures, but the fungi can be brown or even white. Mold growing behind some wall finishing applications can be orange or purple. Inspections should focus on areas where there are signs of moisture or water vapor, or areas where water can penetrate, like under walls. Furniture should be moved, carpets removed, and checks done behind wallpaper or paneling, in duct work, and other wall cavities. There are also signs of existing mold problems, including cracked or peeling paint, warped wood, discolored walls and black growth on or under flooring or counter-top tiles. Mold on one side of the wall can be an indicator that it's present on the back side. The basic rule is, if you can see or smell mold, take steps to eliminate the excess moisture; then, cleanup and remove the mold by: Using a non-ammonia soap or detergent and hot water or a commercial cleaner. Thoroughly scrubbing all contaminated surfaces (using a stiff brush to clean masonry walls) with the soap or detergent. Use an excessive amount of cleaning solution for best results. Rinsing clean with water. After cleaning, apply a disinfectant solution of household bleach (one-fourth cup bleach per gallon of water) to the surface. If the mold has already started to grow back, try a stronger solution: one-half gallon bleach in five gallons of water. A bleach solution should be applied with a handled garden sprayer. Thoroughly wet the studs, wall cavities and floors. Avoid excessive run-off. Use a wet-dry vacuum to collect extra bleach solution. Allow the bleach solution to dry naturally for a six- to eight-hour time period. The bleach solution should not be removed or dried quickly - extended contact time is important. A safety tip: Never mix bleach with ammonia: the fumes are toxic. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves. Ventilate the working area well by opening doors and windows and using fans. For more helpful information, check out our main page here: flood restoration Auckland
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