Ten Top Tips For Water Damage Mold Removal

Listed below is a summary of the recommended procedures for dealing with water damage mold and mildew clean up on specific household mould items:-

1. Books and papers

For non-valuable items, discard books and papers.
Photocopy valuable/important items, discard originals.
Freeze (in frost-free freezer or meat locker) or freeze-dry.


2. Carpet and backing - dry within 24-48 hours

Remove water with water extraction vacuum.
Reduce ambient humidity levels with dehumidifier.
Accelerate drying process with fans.


3. Ceiling tiles, Cellulose Insulation and Fibreglass insulation

Discard and replace.


4. Concrete or cinder block surfaces

Remove water with water extraction vacuum.
Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters.


5. Hard surface, porous flooring (Linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl)

Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary.
Check to make sure underflooring is dry; dry underflooring if necessary.


6. Non-porous, hard surfaces (Plastics, metals)

Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary.


7. Upholstered furniture

Remove water with water extraction vacuum.
Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters.
May be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours. If the piece is valuable, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage professional who specializes in furniture.


8. Wallboard (Drywall and gypsum board)

May be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replace.
Ventilate the wall cavity, if possible.


9. Window drapes

Follow laundering or cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer.


10. Wood surfaces

Remove moisture immediately and use dehumidifiers, gentle heat, and fans for drying. (Use caution when applying heat to hardwood floors.)
Treated or finished wood surfaces may be cleaned with mild detergent and clean water and allowed to dry.
Wet paneling should be pried away from wall for drying.

Water Damage Mold and Mildew Cleanup Methods

Listed below are some of the ways of getting rid of mold and mildew from your home.


1: Wet vacuum (in the case of porous materials, some mold

spores/fragments will remain in the material but will not grow if the

material is completely dried). Steam cleaning may be an alternative for

carpets and some upholstered furniture for effective mould removal.


2: Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or with water and detergent

solution (except wood — use wood floor cleaner); scrub as needed.


3: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum after the material has

been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the contents of the HEPA vacuum in

well-sealed plastic bags.


4: Discard - remove water-damaged materials and seal in plastic bags

while inside of containment, if present. Dispose of as normal waste.

HEPA vacuum area after it is dried.

Those Musty Odors Can Be Telltale Signs of Water Damage Mold

You will often (although not always) be able to smell mold, even if you

can't see it. The musty odors may be there, but sometimes water damage

mold can be hidden behind wall coverings or tiles.


In situations where the water damage mold is severe, for instance with

black mould, it would be wise to contact a mold and mildew remediation

company to deal with the problem.

Toxic Mold Needs To Be Dealt With By a Specialist

In cases where a particularly toxic mold species has been identified or is

suspected, or when extensive hidden mold is expected (such as behind

vinyl wallpaper or ceiling tiles and the chances of the mold becoming

airborne are estimated to be high, or where there are sensitive

individuals (e.g., those with severe allergies or asthma), then the

services of a mold and mildew remediation specialist are vital - when

in doubt, always err on the side of caution.

Mold and Mildew Remediation Experts Can Help You

Even dry, dead mold can be harmful to your health so you need to handle

all mold with caution and use protective gloves and a mask.

Ultimately, if you do not wish to dispose of items that have water

damage mold it is best to consult a restoration or water damage mold

specialist to deal with the cleaning of carpets or soft furnishings.

The contractor you select should have certification or training in

water damage restoration and mold and mildew remediation.

Water Damage Mold in Crawlspaces and Basements

Don't forget about the attic and crawlspaces, and basement mildew -

these areas also need to be ventilated. The attic should be

insulated, and if the crawl space has an earth floor you should cover

it with thick plastic.


If your carpets, clothes and upholstered furniture have water damage

mold you need to seriously consider disposing of them. However, if the

damage is only very minor you could try cleaning and drying these items

but you need to protect your face with a mask to prevent you from

breathing in any harmful spores and thoroughly vacuum and clean your

house afterwards to remove any remaining mold spores. Mold contaminated

materials should be handled in a manner to prevent cross contamination

of clean areas and to minimize exposure to people in the home.

How to Stop Water Damage Mold

Any water leaks from pipes, taps, and roofs need to be blocked off

because building materials can become mold colonized as a result of

chronic exposure to moisture.


You need to increase the indoor air quality in your home by opening

windows and doors to improve the airflow, and using a fan in areas

where there are no windows to open. In kitchens, bathrooms and

washrooms where there is generally a high water usage (and so higher

humidity levels) it is advisable to install extractor fans.


Large solid pieces of furniture should not be placed flat against the

interior of an exterior wall - you should leave a gap of a couple of

inches so that the air can flow freely between the wall and the

furniture.