Preventing the Growth of Mold Following a Basement Flood

April 7, 2015

People who have been living in Ann Arbor MI for a while know how wet our springs can be. When all of the winter snow melts and the spring storms roll in, it can lead to epic flooding. This flooding can soon spread to your home, causing basement flooding. This flooding can lead to a lot of damage, and the damage can go on long after the water recedes.

This is because of the mold that can be caused by basement flooding. If your home floods, it is crucial that you follow the proper procedures to prevent the growth of mold following a basement flood. Here are the steps you should follow to completely clean your Ann Arbor MI home after it floods to prevent mold from gaining a foothold.

Remove All the Standing Water

The first step is to remove the standing water, and you need to do this as soon as possible. You can use buckets, a sump pump, a Shop-Vac and a mop to get all the water out of your basement. Once you have all of the standing water removed, you will be ready to proceed with the techniques to prevent mold growth.

Dry with Many Tools

The key to completely drying out your home following basement flooding is to use many tools to tackle the wetness from multiple angles. You should use fans to blow as much air as possible through your basement. You should also set up dehumidifiers that will rapidly suck moisture out of the air and walls. If you start this drying process as soon as possible, you have a good chance of stopping the mold before it has a chance to colonize your home.

Remove Carpet

If your basement is carpeted, it is best to just remove the carpet after a flood. If you do not do this, there is a good chance that mold will start to grow in it before you can get it dry. It is much better just to replace any flooded carpet with new carpet instead of taking a chance on mold growth.

Remove Drywall

You need to treat flooded drywall just like flooded carpet. It needs to be removed and replaced. When you are cutting out flooded drywall, make sure that you cut 12 inches above the high-water mark to completely eliminate any mold that is in the drywall. While you are removing the drywall, go ahead and take the insulation behind it out as well. It is another material that will harbor mold no matter how quickly you start drying it.

Disinfect Your Basement

Once you have completely dried out your basement, you need to disinfect it completely. Bleach works well, but they also make specialty cleaning solutions that are targeted specifically at mold.

The key to protecting your Ann Arbor MI basement from mold after a flood is speed. You need to get the water out and the drying started as quickly as possible. If you do this, you have a great chance of stopping the mold before it has a chance to take hold.