Each year hurricane season brings the potential for significant damage to homes and businesses from high winds, rain, and flooding. Early preparation is always recommended, but what does one do in the aftermath of a hurricane or tropical storm when a home or business suffers water damage? In combination with the high humidity found in hurricane-prone areas, a water-soaked interior is the perfect environment for a mold colony to grow and thrive.
Mold may seem harmless and easily cleaned, however mold spores begin to grow within 24 hours and quickly spread. Mold spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through the air until they land on a moist surface. In a flooding situation, it may be days or weeks before homeowners can begin to clean up their homes and by that time, it may be too late. Mold gradually destroys what it grows on. Spores may be rooted in upholstered furniture, growing in between walls, have invaded the duct system and more. Attempting to clean mold growth on this scale on your own may result in spreading the spores even further and prolonging the clean up process. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that exposure to mold can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Particularly susceptible are pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions such as emphysema or lung cancer. Severe reactions can include asthma episodes, fever, shortness of breath, and mold infection in the lungs.
It is advisable to hire a professional mold mitigation and remediation company to eliminate mold and restore the air quality and safety of your home or business. Select a company with documented experience and thorough knowledge of EPA standards to ensure clean up is handled properly the first time. Not only are your family's health and safety on the line, but improper mold mitigation may damage the resale value of your home.
If you are unsure of whether there is mold growing in your home or how extensive the water damage is (even one-inch of standing water can cause damage), a qualified contractor can evaluate your situation, make recommendations and provide an estimate. The damage from hurricanes and tropical storms can cause devastating property damage. Don't let these forces of nature rob you and your family of your health, too.
Sam Evans is a mold mitigation and remediation expert with ServPro Cleanup & Restoration in Kissimmee, Florida.
Sam Evans is a mold mitigation and remediation expert and owner of ServPro of Osceola County Florida. His business specializes in the total cleanup and restoration caused by To learn more tips on selecting the right water damage, fire and smoke damage as well as mold damage, and crime scene and vandalism. You can visit Sam's website at http://www.servproofosceolacounty.com/.
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