Three Ways To Prevent Mold During And After A Water Damage Incident

Mold, water damage, and fire/smoke damage are three big problems that will likely require you to hire a damage remediation company, but did you know that if you're unlucky, they can all happen at once? A fire can lead to fire-extinguishing methods that can include water, which will then leave you with water damage after the firefighters leave, and water damage, if not immediately contained and dried out, will very likely lead to mold. There are things you can do to reduce your chances of mold, though. Here are three of them.

1. Use a mold-prevention coating

If done in advance, this step can inhibit mold growth on a variety of surfaces. It's especially useful if you live in a damp or humid climate, where any furniture placed near an outside wall will increase your chances of mold. Mold-prevention coatings can be obtained relatively cheaply now, and you can even buy all-natural ones, such as those formulated out of crab shells. Applying these coatings to walls, wood furniture, and other recommended items can reduce their chances of succumbing to mold damage before cleanup is complete.

2. Immediately call water damage cleanup personnel

It's vital to get this step taken care of immediately. And remember, your water damage situation is an emergency; if your home isn't thoroughly dried out immediately (including dehumidifying the air), there's a chance that mold will grow before the drying process is finished. So be sure to call a cleanup and remediation company that offers highly-rated emergency services.

3. Get a head start on the cleanup

Your personal safety is even more important than mold prevention, so do not go into a structure that's had fire damage unless the firefighting personnel say it's safe to do so. And if you do enter a structure with water damage, be sure to first switch off the electricity from outside (at the electrical panel) and take other reasonable precautions to prevent injury. After observing precautions, however, there may be some things you can do to make a head start. Be sure to speak with your cleanup company on the phone about what you can do before they arrive. This may include damage containment and prevention, such as placing wet books in the freezer to prevent further spreading of any water damage they may have suffered.

Remember, one of the most important parts of mold prevention is finding the water damage in time because if you don't, then most of these strategies will be ineffective. So be sure to check your attic for leaks after a heavy rainfall, and have your plumbing inspected occasionally to make sure you're not in danger of pipe failure that will lead to water damage. For additional information on cleaning up water damage, contact a company like Atlantic Carpet Care.