Is Mold Inevitable After a Flood?

11/13/2018 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a Kansas City, MO home

When storm waters cause flooding in your Kansas City, MO, home, the cleanup process may take some time. Not only do you likely need to hire a water removal service, but you may also have to repair secondary damage after the water has been cleaned up. While additional damage is a possibility, mold growth does not have to be inevitable after a storm causes water to permeate your house. You can avoid it by doing the following:

• Managing excessive humidity
• Removing standing water
• Reacting quickly to the flood

To better understand if your home may be affected by mold, you need to know what contributes to its growth. The type of water, time it takes to start cleaning and thoroughness of the cleanup job each plays a part in whether or not mold will start to grow.

Dirty Water

If your home is flooded after a storm, chances are the water came from an overflowing river or backed-up sewer system. These water sources are commonly contaminated with spores and bacteria. Water from a dirty source can lead to mold growth quicker than flooding from a broken water supply line.

Lengthy Wait Time

If water sits in your home for a long period of time, the risk that mold will begin to grow is increased. Stagnant water and high humidity create the ideal environment for mold to develop. Quickly calling in a cleaning crew is always a good idea when you find standing water in your home.

Partial Cleanup

Completely removing the effects of flooding is important. Any residual dampness or humidity can encourage mold growth. Some homeowners try to take on the cleanup on their own, but they don't always know how to totally remove water damage. This partial cleanup makes it possible for spores to spread throughout a home.

Mold doesn't have to grow after a flood. Addressing flood cleanup and mold removal as soon as possible can help reduce the damage done by a storm.