A flood from a burst pipe or leak never comes at the right time. In the humid, hot summer months, however, homeowners are put on a serious time crunch to get things dried out before the mold sets in. Here are some tips to help prevent mold in your home after a pipe burst or leak.
- Get The Water Out Fast
Use a wet/dry vacuum to clean up as much water as soon as possible. If you do not have one at your disposal our flood remediation specialists are available 24/7 to help you get the water out.
- Use fans to speed up the carpet drying process
Unfortunately, even with fans running 24 hours a day it still takes a few days to get fully dry. Don’t let carpet that’s dry to the touch fool you: it is still wet! Again, hiring a professional to dry out your home will ensure your carpet dries correctly.
- Use a dehumidifier to dry out the room
These machines remove excessive moisture, which makes the air feel cooler and limits mold and mildew growth. Any equipment that helps dry out the air and the ground will speed up the drying time for your damaged floors and coverings.
- Steam clean carpet and flooring
Steam cleaning all carpets sanitizes and deodorizes. Typically, water-damaged carpet padding must be replaced. Replacing just the padding is much less expensive than having to re-carpet your entire home.
- Sanitize walls and baseboards
Anything touched by the water should be sanitized. Clean all walls, hard-surface floors, and other household surfaces with soap and water. Sanitize them with a solution of 1.5 cups of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Remember to wear rubber gloves during cleanup.
- Stay Vigilant
Look for water damage and remove furniture from wet flooring. Water damage can easily be hidden underneath rugs or carpet, so be sure to give your home a thorough inspection if you suspect water damage.
Cleaning water-soaked carpets and floors is difficult under any conditions, but if done properly a disastrous mold situation can be avoided. Calling a flood remediation specialist to prevent a costly mold remediation.