Given the recent flooding and water main break in Calgary this week, it’s prudent to review what to do when your place of business or home floods. Dealing with the aftermath can be stressful, but quick action is crucial. Excess water can lead to hazardous mold growth, causing long-term damage and costly repairs.
Extensive water damage fosters mold growth, threatening your equipment, furniture, and even the building’s structure. Exposure to certain types of mold poses serious health risks for occupants. Being prepared to address water damage before it happens is the best approach. Read on to learn how to minimize damage and limit mold growth at your facility if flooding occurs.
Materials Susceptible to Mold Growth
Even after excess water is removed, moisture and humidity can linger, especially in walls, ceilings, and floors. Mold spores are always present in the air and can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure under ideal conditions. Mold thrives in high humidity and can grow on carpet, fabric, upholstery, wood, drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, wallpaper, and painted surfaces. Therefore, swift preventative steps are essential.
Many items in your facility are prone to mold after a flood, including:
- Drywall: Any drywall that has been in direct contact with standing water should be removed as soon as possible, as you cannot dry it fast enough to prevent mold growth. Don’t forget to test for asbestos first!
- Upholstered furniture and wood: These porous materials trap mold easily, so consider discarding them. Items completely submerged in water should be replaced.
- Carpets, drapery, and rugs: Simply drying these materials may not prevent mold. Have them assessed by professional cleaners. If unsalvageable, they should be discarded and replaced.
4 Steps to Preventing Mold After a Flood
Follow these steps to reduce the risk of mold growth in your commercial property:
- Remove Water and Completely Dry Out All Areas
- Quickly remove excess water and dry out the facility. Use a wet-dry shop vacuum and wipe clean materials like exposed wood framing and studs. If the outside air is not very humid, open all doors and windows to allow fresh air to circulate. Open inside doors, especially closets and interior rooms, to help them dry out.
- Remove All Debris and Wet Items from Your Building
- Discard materials completely soaked or submerged in water. Clean and disinfect some items to prevent mold, but if mold begins to grow, discard them immediately. Remove and discard all wet insulation and contaminated porous materials like drywall and ceiling tiles.
- Limit Moisture and Humidity
- If electricity is safe to use, reduce moisture with dehumidifiers and fans. However, if mold is already present, do not use fans as the blown air will only spread mold spores.
- Contact a Restoration Company as Soon as Possible
- The most effective way to prevent mold is to contact an experienced restoration company immediately. Professionals can properly address potential mold problems and detect water that may have seeped behind walls, under flooring, or into the HVAC system.
I’m Lost or Overwhelmed!
Amity Environmental has the experience, expertise, and resources to quickly mitigate water damage from floods or other water emergencies. Professional water extraction and drying ensure even hidden moisture underneath flooring or in walls is removed. For reliable mold detection and removal services, call Amity Environmental. With over 17 years of experience in comprehensive water damage restoration services in Calgary, our team has the knowledge, technology, and protocols to get your business back to normal fast.
Contact us today at (403) 667-8264
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