It is best to take action at this time to mitigate the damage and prevent mold growth from occuring.
Water damage mold growth.
A musty odor is a sign that mold may be present.
Although focused on schools and commercial buildings this document is applicable to other building types.
Therefore you should act quickly to dry all the water completely.
If there has been a lot of water damage and or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet consult epa guide mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings.
Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation so that water does not enter.
During the aftermath of water damage is the most opportune time for mold growth because of the presence of high levels of moisture.
Be sure to check the holding tank because it will fill with water and need to be emptied.
For instance put down tile or linoleum flooring instead of carpet in rooms with high humidity or where spills are common like kitchens bathrooms and laundry rooms.
However this may not be enough as you must install a good functioning air purifier conditioner and ventilator.
Steps to prevent mold growth.
When repairing water damaged rooms consider making improvements to help prevent or at least minimize future damage and mold growth.
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24 48 hours after a.
Of course this is only probable if the area is dried completely.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners.
Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products soap and water or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup 8 ounces of bleach in 1 gallon of water to kill mold on surfaces.
Turn on a dehumidifier to extract the moisture faster.
Weather the water damage is the result of a storm surge or a leaky faucet when water is trapped behind walls or paneling the elements needed for mold growth will most likely be present.
Even if the water intrusion is limited and does not cause considerable damage it may still result in a mold problem any amount of moisture accumulation indoors can easily lead to mold growth in the home.
Only a water damage professional is likely to be able to meet this challenge.
Keep air flowing by running fans and opening windows.
Mold can cause damage and lead to health problems so deal with it quickly.
Mold growth after water damage water damage can cause all sorts of problems in a home.
If the water damage was sudden and you get it cleaned up very quickly within a couple of days or so it does not necessarily mean you will have mold growth.
You must remove all moisture to stop the growth.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold.
Mold grows in damp areas.