Water Damage South Florida

Flood Cleanup from Water Damage

1.  Wear protective gear when cleaning up any water damage. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing in the spores and through skin contact. It is important to wear gloves, goggles, and a respirator when attempting to clean.
2. Isolate the work and ventilate to the outdoors. When you go to clean the affected area, this stirs up the mold colonies and releases huge quantities of the spores into the air. Do your best to seal off the moldy water damaged areas from the rest of the house. You can even use plastic to drape in staircases. If the power is on, it is important to put a box fan in the window to blow out and exhaust the mold filled air.
3. Remove all wet and fibrous insulation, even if wall board appears to be dry. Wet insulation will stay wet for far too long, leading to the growth of hidden unhealthy mold and decay fungi inside the walls. Cut the wall covering above the level that was wet, water can wick up above the flood level.
4. Remove all moldy, porous materials, including gypsum wallboard, processed wood products, ceiling tiles and paper products.
5. Clean and sanitize plaster, wood paneling, and non paper faced gypsum board walls that have dried, are in good condition, and have no insulation in the wall. It's best to remove multiple layers of paint on old plaster to aid drying. There is a risk of mold on the backside, however, that can release spores into the home through air leaks in the walls. If you choose to restore these materials, seal interior gaps with caulk.
6. Flush the air after cleaning the affected area and dry as soon as possible. Close the windows and run the air conditioner or heat. Run fans and use a dehumidifier. If there is no power, keep the windows open.
7. Keep an eye on the water damaged areas. New mold growths can grow in as little as 2-3 days if the materials stay wet. If you see more forming, repeat cleaning and use speed drying equipment. 
8. Do not try to restore the area until all the materials have completely dried. Once it is dry, make sure to use water-resistant materials upon restoration. 

Common Products Used to Clean Mold:

• Bleach
• Borax
• Vinegar
• Ammonia
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Detergent
• Baking Soda
• Tea tree Oil
• Grapefruit Seed Extract

A  few things to take into consideration about water damage


1. There are possible health effects which can arise from either direct of indirect contact with mold. Respiratory problems such as asthma and allergic reactions can arise from mold spores throughout the air.

2. After water damage from flooding, you cannot get rid of all the mold by cleaning/drying the area, you must use moisture control tools such as a dehumidifier or proper ventilation.

3. If there is a water problem coming from a leak or crack, you must fix that problem first to contain the amount of water going in the room.

5. Any absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, carpet, foam, etc. must either may need to be replaced depending on how significant the damage is.

6. Add insulation to prevent any condensation or build up of wetness from pipes or windows.

7. Do not use carpeting in rooms where there are apparent moisture problems such as near sinks, water fountains, etc.

8. Molds can be found on about anything such as wood, drywall, tiles, food, or even air ducts.

For help with Water Damage in South Florida, call a mold remediation professional  today at
954-933-8317.