Rebuilding after a Flood

A major issue that is about to be addressed in the media is mold. This is due to the hurricane in Houston with estimates as high as 40 thousand homes destroyed the area, there is going to be a lot of mold to deal with. Mold will grow quickly once the waters recede and the drywall is exposed. This will more than likely be an incredibly devastating time for those affected by the floods. Not just because of the damage of property and the loss of life that has hit so close to home but rather the psychological damage that will be with the victims for a very long time.

The Aftermath

Regardless of how a flood happens, the effects can create much more than mold, including severe property damage. If sentimental items are damaged there is really no way to bring them back, fortunately the structure itself is generally ok after a moderate flood. The issue that you will deal with initially is the water damage. Water, for all of its positive characteristics, is excellent at destroying a home. One of the best natural solvents on the planet, water will infiltrate everything and cause major damage. If left to sit on surfaces, water will eventually cause damage, even to metal.

The Flood

Regardless of whether your flood is caused by a pipe that burst while you were on vacation or a spring rainstorm that dumps way too much water into your neighborhood, it is critical to act quickly. In a flood situation mold and bacteria will grow very quickly on the walls if nothing is done right away. Of course you are at the mercy of the waters if the flood is natural and will need to wait until the waters recede. This is why the homes sustained so much damage in Houston, the waters have not fully receded from the homes yet. Even after the water lowers, the area might not be safe due to foundation damage and saturated ground. But if your home is a victim of a flood that recedes quickly, it is possible to save the structure from mold damage. Once the mold takes hold it is incredibly difficult to remove and will entail replacing drywall.

Where does the mold come from?

Well, the answer is simple: mold is everywhere. We breathe it in, we eat it with every meal and we drink it with our water. What mold needs to grow is water and water from a flood is the perfect medium for mold to spread in a home that has had a flood. Mold also thrives in environments that are stagnant and lack proper ventilation. If left unchecked, a home that has sustained very little water damage can be uninhabitable simply due to the mold that was encouraged to grow by the optimum conditions.

What Happens Now?

When you have had a flood it is a pretty traumatic experience. The environmental experts at NOW Environmental services can test your home and make sure that it is safe following mold remediation. The most important thing to remember is that indoor mold can be very dangerous and it is critical that you have follow up testing done in order to make absolutely sure that the mold has been eradicated. So if you have been the victim of a flood please give us a call right away and we will help you through the options during this difficult time. We take great pride in servicing our neighbors in the Seattle area and we want you to know that when disaster strikes, NOW Environmental Services will be there for you.