Cleaning the Air in Your Home after unexpected flooding
When you are cleaning your home post flood damage, your maximum concentration is on removing all the water that has seeped in the house, saving the appliances in your home and preventing more water damage. We do not tend to pay more attention to the quality of air that we are breathing. Actually, we should be aware that microscopic fungi called molds grow liberally in water prone conditions. These can pollute the air and cause a variety of health problems like sinusitis, asthma, breathing problems, lung infection and skin diseases. Molds are conspicuous by their cottony, leather-like texture and have a musty, earthy smell. They are seen in various colors from green and yellow to black and brown.
After the flooding, when there is excess water in the home or office, you should take no chances and hire a mold removal specialist to remove all traces of mold growths from your house. They have the right gear and they are trained to identify that foster mold formation which is not visible as easily. Also you should not allow children or the elderly to enter places that have more water accumulation because the atmosphere in the room is filled with pollutants. Standing water actually is contaminated and is a breeding ground for microbes that can become airborne and cause infections. You can imagine if the floodwater that has entered your house or verandah contains sewage and dead bodies of animals and insects.
If you do it yourself or consult professionals to do it, make sure that you thoroughly clean the floors, the walls and the ceilings. You should also switch off the mains so that there is no damage to electrical appliances. Do not open the heating gas appliances because there can be a case of short-circuit. The process of drying out and cleaning can even take weeks because microorganisms will always thrive till the humidity is high. The musty odor in the house is the characteristic of the house still being humid and breeding microorganisms. Also materials that are moist and cannot be cleaned and dried after even 24-48 hours should be gotten rid of because they will be a breeding ground for microorganisms.
You may have to consider repairing and replacing certain things in the house; including certain electrical equipment, air conditioning system, fibrous insulation etc that has come in contact with water. You should only use those disinfectants, sanitizers and cleaning products that are certified as safe by the relevant authorities. You should also make sure that there is enough ventilation for fresh air by opening the doors and windows. After the rooms are properly dry and a competent person has checked the electric board, you can switch on the electricity.
It is important to make sure that we restore the condition of everything in our home and even make it strong enough to resist mold growth and minimize damage in future, if floods or some such thing take place. Though family members can pitch in and together clean and dry the various rooms in the house, you also have the option to ask authorized professionals to remove mold growth and check the gas and electricity lines to make sure that there is no problem.
