How to Prevent Mold in a Home After a Flood

Prevent Mold After a Flood

If you have damage to your home after a flood, you need to prevent mold and further contamination. Bacteria thrive on moisture, so a quick response will prevent unnecessary ruin.

Things You'll Need

• N95 disposable respirator
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Bucket
• Bleach
• TSP (Trisoduim phosphate)
• Rags
• Mop
• Vacuum
• Plastic
• Tape

Instructions

1. Wear protection and safety gear. Use an N95 disposable respirator, and goggles to protect your face. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and make certain not to touch any contaminated area without gloves.

2. Seal vents and ducts in the house and turn off the air conditioner. Use vent coverings or seal air ducts with plastic and tape. Turn off the heat and cooling system.

3. Designate a work area and seal the area with plastic sheeting. Seal the plastic sheeting with tape and be sure to close it each time you enter or leave the work area.

4. Make a mold solution to clean contaminated items. Combine one part bleach with four parts water. Add 3 oz. TSP (trisoduim phosphate) for every gallon of water and bleach mixture.

5. Remove rugs and carpet. Most carpets you will not be able to salvage because of the trapped contamination underneath the textiles and the rotting wood or floorboards underneath. You may clean some rugs with the solution and allow to air dry, but be aware of colorfast fabrics that the solution may bleed.

6. Remove contaminated items from your home and wipe down the walls and floors with solution. For items you can salvage, clean them with solution and return to the home. Dispose of the items that you cannot restore.

7. Clean the work area thoroughly with solution and get rid of work gear and supplies. Do not reuse the rags or other cleaning materials and be sure to seal those items in plastic before removing them from the home.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy the TSP at your home improvement store.

• Take pictures of the flood damage along with the furniture and other items damaged. Keep all receipts for your new purchases and all repair costs from the flood damage for your insurance company.

• Never mix ammonia and bleach for any cleaning solution. The fumes are fatal.

• If Public Safety warns you to leave your home or town, be sure to follow the commands and do not return until permitted.

• Children and the elderly, along with those with asthma and other medical problems, should not be near or involved with cleaning and restoring the home after a flood.

• If you have respiratory or sinus problems after a flood or during the restoring process, seek medical attention immediately.

Resources

• Public Safety Information
• Official Government Info on Public Safety