Any homeowner who sights even small quantities of water leaking into their houses from a burst pipe or flooding should be thinking about mold.
Mold requires very little amounts of water to grow and thrive. It is an irritant that causes health issues to people by irritating their lungs, noses, eyes or throat. Inhaling mold in the air may lead to symptoms for people with asthma, allergies and hay fever.
To prevent mold from spreading you have to be proactive and act immediately on noticing seeping water.
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Rinse or drain out the water as fast as possible
Employ a wet/dry vacuum on the soaked area to get rid of as much water as possible. They are the best tool for cleaning out water and can be hired or given by smoke and water damage service providers that offer residential repair after flood damage.
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Speed up carpet drying by using fans
When fans are put to use they will dry a water-damaged section in several days. As they are doing this they will also refresh the air by aiding its circulation. Even though you see signs of dryness keep the fans going. Fully engage the fans throughout the day for at least one week. You can rent a high powered drying fan from a rental service or from your local home improvement store.
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Use a dehumidifier to dry out the room
A dehumidifier is a machine that reduces humidity levels by extracting moisture from the air. They will cool the air and curb the growth of mildew or mold. Such equipment is important as it accelerates the drying of floor coverings by drying up the air directly above.
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Steam clean carpet and flooring
Use steam to clean all your carpets. This helps in disinfecting the carpets and freshening their odor. Most of the time water-damaged carpet stuffing must be changed. Replacing your carpet filling is cheaper than buying new carpets for your entire home.
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Disinfect walls and baseboards
Anything that came into contact with flood water should be sanitized. All floors, walls, surfaces and household item surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water. A compound of 1.5 cups of chlorine bleach mixed with a gallon of water will sanitize these items. Wear gloves during the cleaning and disinfecting.
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Inspect furniture
Scrutinize furniture for water damage. Look under furniture for wetness and move them if they are resting on wet floors. Water damage can easily conceal itself under carpets, rugs and heavy pieces of furniture. Do a thorough inspection of all corners of your house to detect water damage.
Your local Spotless Inc can help with your next cleaning project. Talk to any one of our experts, call now!
