Home floods are a horrible thing to happen and what’s more any sort of flooding or leaks from faulty pipes, can lead to the growth of harmful mould beneath your flooring. It really doesn’t take much water for mould to grow and cause a lot of damage. All it needs is a moist dark space and it can happily grow quickly. These situations create must the type of environment that mould and mildew can thrive in. It can be there without you knowing it, particularly in porous materials like carpets.
The best way to prevent mould from growing and spreading is by taking action fast once you know there is water present. Here are 6 steps to take to help you stay mould free:
1. Remove water as quickly as you can
It’s best to use a wet/dry vacuum to clean up as much water as possible. This is the most effective tool for the job. You can usually rent this tool from water and smoke damage restoration companies that deal particularly with flood damage
2. Use fans to speed up the drying process
It may take several days for a fan to completely dry out a wet area but the good news is that they also help to circulate fresh air. Even if you think it’s all nice and dry inside, it really isn’t. For this reason, it’s important to keep your fan running for another week or so. You can usually rent High power fans from home improvement stores that provide a tool rental service.
3. Dry out the room with a dehumidifier
These machines are great at removing the excess moisture, making the air feel cooler and limiting the growth of mould and mildew.
4. Steam clean carpet and flooring
Steam Cleaning your carpet is important for sanitary and deodorising purposes. Any waterlogged carpet padding will need to be replaced, but this is still much cheaper than having to replace the carpets in your home.
5. Sanitise walls and skirtings – Anything that has been touched by stormwater should be made sanitary. Clean all your walls, hard floors, and other household surfaces with soap and water and use a mixture of bleach diluted in water to sanitise them.
6. Check furniture
Remove furniture from areas showing signs of water damage, being sure to lift up carpets and rugs, if you suspect there could be water present. If it has got soaked and dirty then a restoration company may still be able to restore it.
Cleaning up after a flood is a daunting task and if you don’t have the manpower or the equipment to do it yourself then it’s best to call the professionals. Here at Carpet Cleaning Kings we can handle the entire process including water extraction, removal of bacteria, mould remediation plus a full range of cleaning and stain removal services for properties affected by flooding. We’re here for you 24 hours a day so contact us on 1300 7000 75 for assistance.
