How to Safely Remove Mold After Flooding

How to Safely Remove Mold After Flooding

Surveying for the presence of Mold after flooding can be done in two ways:

1. Look with your eyes, for example, and observe if the wall has any stains or looks like it has mold.
2. Smell with your nose as the smell of mold is musty and earthy.

If mold is suspected, take the following steps:

1. If an item cannot be completely eliminated, such as materials with porosity that cannot be washed and dried, it should be discarded to prevent the growth of mold. If the item is boiled, it must be disinfected with boiling water before it can be used again.
2. Clean the floor and walls quickly within 24 - 48 hours of the water receding. For ventilation, open windows and doors and turn on a fan. Begin by washing with water and soap or detergent to remove dirt. Then, scrub the cement wall or surface with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution and a hard brush. If not using 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, mix 1 cup of bleaching powder with 1 gallon of water for a homemade solution. The cleaner must wear the following protection equipment:

• Rubber boots
• Rubber gloves for housework.
• Eye protection glasses.
• Face mask

Once the surface has been scrubbed and left to dry, spotlights can be used to speed up the drying process. If the mold is found to be deeply embedded in the wall and cannot be scrubbed off, it should be replaced rather than painted over. If the room contains air conditioners, they should also be washed and cleaned during the same process.