Dealing with Water Damage and Flooding After a Disaster or Emergency

Flood Water After a Disaster or Emergency

When returning to your home after a hurricane or flood, be aware that flood water may contain sewage. Protect yourself and your family by following these steps:

Inside the Home

• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
• Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.
• Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as, mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products).
• Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters.
• Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.
• Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.
• After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Use water that has been boiled for 1 minute (allow the water to cool before washing your hands).
  • Or you may use water that has been disinfected for personal hygiene use (solution of ⅛ teaspoon [~0.75 milliliters] of household bleach per 1 gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, use a solution of ¼ teaspoon (~1.5 milliliters) of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
• Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
• Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent. It is recommended that a laundromat be used for washing large quantities of clothes and linens until your onsite waste-water system has been professionally inspected and serviced.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.

 http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/cleanupwater.asp

See also Reentering Your Flooded Home, Mold After a Disaster, and Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach After an Emergency.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home

Mold Cleanup Guidelines

Table of Contents

Mold Basics

Mold Cleanup

Mold Cleanup Guidelines

What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas

Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips

Hidden Mold

PDF Version (20 pp., 1.4 M, about PDF)
Una Breve Guía para el Moho, la Humedad y su Hogar (PDF) (11 pp., 1.28 M, disponible en PDF). Documento de la agencia EPA número 402-K-03-008, reimprimido el 2010 de mayo.

Tips and techniques

The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you clean up your mold problem.  Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered in this publication.  Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.  It may not be possible to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored.

Mold growing on the underside of a plastic lawn chair in an area where rainwater drips through and deposits organic material. Click on the image for a larger version.

Mold growing on a piece of ceiling tile. Click on the image for a larger version.

• Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.  Dry all items completely.
   
• Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
   
• Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.  Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
   
• Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold (see discussions: What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas and Hidden Mold).
   
• Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces.  Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting.  Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.

 http://www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.html

Using Cleaning & Sanitizing Products

Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach after an Emergency

Cleaning and sanitizing your household after an emergency is important to help prevent the spread of illness and disease.

Using Cleaning & Sanitizing Products

First, wash surfaces with soap and warm, clean water to remove dirt and debris. Next, sanitize surfaces with household bleach.
It is critical to read and follow the safety instructions on any product you use. Below are the most important safety guidelines when using sanitizing products:

• Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
• Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection.
• Try not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.

Cleaning & Sanitizing with Bleach
Use regular unscented 5%—6% household bleach and follow the instructions in the chart below.
Recommendations for Cleaning and Sanitizing Various Surfaces with Bleach and Water


http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.asp

What to do after the storm and mold prevention

After the Storm

• Learn About Flood Recovery
• Sanitation & Hygiene
• Reentering Your Flooded Home
• Cleanup of Flood Water
• Precautions After a Flood
• Mold

Water Damage Mold

Water Damage Mold

Protect Yourself from Mold

HIGHLIGHTS

• People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold.
• If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health care provider.
• Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.
• If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, you should buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building.

After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.

 http://waterdamage-mold.blogspot.com/p/water-damage-mold.html

Other Mold Resources

• Clean Up Safely After a Natural Disaster
• Reentering Your Flooded Home
• Mold - General Resources
• NIOSH Interim Recommendations for the Cleaning and Remediation of Flood-Contaminated HVAC Systems: A Guide for Building Owners and Managers
• Population-Specific Recommendations for Protection From Exposure to Mold in Buildings Flooded After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita