Just like April showers bring May flowers, summer floods brings fall mold. So it is not surprising that the areas of Omaha that flooded this summer are now working at building an unhealthy crop of mold. Normally mold can be associated with a water leak, but any rogue water, including flood water, could be a cause. Hopefully if your house was seriously flooded, you discarded all of those soggy goods that could not be cleaned, and cleaned everything that could be.

So if mold is appearing in your basements, bathrooms, under carpeting, behind drywall, and where ever bathrooms are vented to, like attic spaces, dry it up and clean it up and you’ll be fine. All those damp warm spaces in your house are a perfect environment for mold to get a foothold. Keep that air conditioning running, and run that dehumidifier, and that will help you control the problem. Otherwise that mold will be feasting on the cellulose in your house, and might cause an annoyance or even a health issue down the road.

If you’re in California and suffering from mold, you might want to give us a call and see about getting an assessment from Byebyemold.

Flooding at this Augusta apartment complex was followed up by code violations. Maintenance has been unavailable to residents.

The investigating news crew was chased off the property but they have video and will probably be hanging around if there are inspections.

If this is your situation too, and you’re in California, you might want to give us a call and see about getting an assessment from Byebyemold.

Timberline flooding has led to several feet of water and sometimes mud deposited in affected homes, leading to a lot of remediation. The soaked areas must be dried, and contaminated housing products like soaked drywall and insulation must be removed. Remediation companies bring in air movers and dehumidifiers to speed the drying process for families who are waiting anxiously to return to their homes. The soggy stagnant air can be a health concern, especially as it is likely to contain mold spores.

Fargo hired Houston Engineering to work on a flood protection plan, which was discussed in a public meeting. The highway to Timberline (N HWY 89) which was closed briefly after the flood was opened around July 20.

Have you really examined your house for mold?

Wall coverings-Mold loves cellulose, and cellulose is used in most wallpapers. So it is not unusual for mold growth to occur on your wallpaper, especially if the room is a source of trapped moisture like a bathroom.

Wall board – Drywall can be a source of food for mold; and especially now, when there’s a major rash of lawsuits of defective wallboard that decomposes into a toxic mess when it gets damp. And of course that toxic drywall is also a favorite meal for mold.

Window Frames-Anywhere two different types of surfaces meet, there can be a gap, and a place for moisture to collect, especially when one of the surfaces is particularly attractive to condensation, like glass. That moisture can seep into those areas and feed mold colonies. It doesn’t take much liquid for mold to gain a foothold.

Bathrooms-Bathrooms are longtime culprits for being mold habitats. It’s because it’s such a source of moisture and an area to contain it in. If water can get in, so can mold.

Store rooms- Any contained area is a potential place where mold can occur, because all it takes is a little moisture trapped inside. And that moisture can come from underground seepage if you have a basement; or it can come from the external walls or any kind of plumbing or roof leak. So check your store rooms and keep them as dry as possible.

Ceilings-Leaks travel downward. So if there’s moisture above your ceiling, there’s probably mold there too. Look for roof leaks, pipe leaks, pipe condensation, defective barriers, and if you find the path of water, you’ll find the mold.

Basement- Water goes downhill. That’s what a plumber told me was the only thing he learned in plumbing school. Don’t be surprised if there is seepage in your basement or water coming from upper areas in your house. If you’ve got the moisture there, the mold will be quick to follow.

With all of these situations, dry up the water. Clean up the area, and keep it dry, or you may be looking at a big remediation project.

When it comes to drying out after a flood, it’s time to call the professionals. Or else, 3 weeks after the flood, your house is starting to smell, and you’re going to be growing a crop of mold in your damp carpet.

Get that mold inspector out there to do readings on your house and find out where you need to point the clean-up crew.

IF you’re looking to grow a fine crop of mold this season…

1. When there’s a leak, ignore it. Let it drip down through your walls and ceiling. Let the moisture seep into exposed cellulose products.

2. Don’t bleach trace mold or mildew growing on hard surfaces.

3. In fact, don’t just ignore the water dripping, don’t fix the spot that is leaking. Maybe it will just go away.

4. Don’t keep your roof and gutters in repair.

5. Don’t keep your plumbing repaired.

6. Don’t clean up after minor plumbing mishaps like that overflow when your three year old turned on the tub and let it run, or when your six year old let Malibu Barbie go deep sea scuba-diving in the toilet.

7. Ignore trapped indoor humidity, especially when it regularly causes mildew.

8. Ignore that moldy smell.

9. Never change the air filter. Who cares if air gets blocked by debris, and your ac must overwork to push air thru the collected dust?

10. If outdoor flooding intrudes inside, ignore the fouled soft goods, even though they’re a hotbed of lethal growths.

If you do all of these things, you’re going to grow a fine crop of mold. Not that you’ll be able to stick around and enjoy it….

March and April flooding will bring May and June mold. It doesn’t make a pretty nursery rhyme, but it is still something to look out for.

Summer mold in your house may look like a summer cold: symptoms resembling hay fever, stuffy nose, irritated eyes, skin irritation, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Mold can establish a foothold in as little as 48 hours. If you find mold in your house after a flood, cleanup and dry-up, and discard all porous and soft goods that exhibit signs of mold. This includes carpeting, books, clothing, bedding and upholstered furniture.

If you have experienced a flood, the entire property should be completely dried, including air ducts, crawlspaces, basement, etc.

IF you find mold in your house, especially mold that is contiguous to your living area and ambient air circulation, especially if your household has allergic, sensitive or immune-compromised individuals, don’t forget a visit to the doctor and/or allergist.

With rain ravaging the entire east, people need to be aware of the hazard of mold. Flood victims need to get things dried up as quickly as possible. Moist conditions indoors will cause mold to spread. Water will lead to mold, and mold will lead to mold damage, if that water is not eradicated.

The Kentucky Department of Health has these recommendations:

http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/Mold.htm

What are molds and where are they found?

Molds are fungi found both indoors and out, almost everywhere in the environment. They can grow all year long and grow best in warm, damp and humid conditions. Molds spread by making spores that can survive harsh environmental conditions that normally do not support mold growth.

In the home, mold is almost always present in the air and grows best in damp areas with high humidity levels, like bathrooms and basements. While there are perhaps thousands of species of mold, most common indoor molds include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus.

How can I recognize mold?

Moldy walls and ceilings may be discolored or show signs of water damage. Green or black spots also may appear on walls. Mold has a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench.

How are people affected, and what can be done to decrease exposure?

Allergy sufferers are usually most affected with mold exposure. Symptoms may include nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes, wheezing or skin irritation. More severe reactions may include fever or shortness of breath. People with health concerns that could become worse as a result of mold exposure should contact a health care provider for treatment and advice.

To decrease exposure to mold in the home, keep the humidity level of the home between 40-60 percent. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can also help lower indoor humidity. Always use exhaust fans when showering and cooking. Mold retardants for interior house paint are available at most home improvement stores and, when mixed with paint, reduce mold growth on walls.

How can I test for mold in my home?

Concerned homeowners should test their homes for mold. Mold test kits can be purchased at most home improvement stores. Homeowners also may hire specialized mold consultants to conduct home mold test. When found, mold should promptly be removed.

How can I clean up mold in my home?

When mold growth is limited to a small area, most homeowners can clean up the problem themselves. It is important to take steps for your safety when cleaning up mold.

Protect eyes with glasses or goggles. Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves and wear outer clothing that can be washed afterwards.

Be sure the area is well ventilated before beginning. Remove and dispose of all porous items that are wet or previously had been wet for more than 48 hours that cannot be cleaned and dried. This includes carpet and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, clothing, paper, wood and food. Hard surfaces may be cleaned using soap and water.

For more serious flooding and where mold infestation is severe, consider contacting a mold remediation consultant. Be sure when hiring a consultant to check references from previous work.

How do I keep the mold from coming back?

The key to mold prevention is moisture control. For flooding damage, ensure that the home is properly cleaned and dried out using the steps above. For small spots, remove the source of moisture. Mold cannot grow without a source of water. By removing the water source, the homeowner can ensure mold growth will not return. If mold growth persists, consider contacting a mold remediation professional for further advice. Moisture also can be hidden in the home and become a source of mold.

What is toxic mold?
The term toxic mold is incorrect. Certain molds may produce toxins called mycotoxins, but the molds themselves are not toxic.

The bottom line with mold contamination is that all mold should be removed from the home, regardless of what type it is. Any mold has the potential to cause negative health effects if left unchecked.

What does the government do?

Kentucky has not established laws or regulations concerning mold contamination. Currently, no federal standards exist for permissible exposure limits. With no statutes in place for mold exposure or remediation, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has no authority over such issues.

The Minnesota Department of Health wants to make sure that residents whose homes flooded recently get cleaned up right away, to avert any health related consequences of mold exposure.

Dry it up ASAP. That will help avert damage. When you think it’s dry, you might check around for a mold inspector with specialized equipment to search for hot spots.

Depending on what your mold inspector suggests, you may have to rebuild or retrofit with water-resistant construction materials.

Once you get it dry, keep it dry. If it takes dehumidifiers, a new roof, or regrading of your property to channel water safely away, it is worth the expense to keep your property safe from water intrusion. Water intrusion=mold intrusion.

Addressing environmental health Implications of mold exposure after major flooding.

Does all of this seem painfully obvious to anyone who lives in the real world? I suppose it is a good thing that at least some scientific expertise is being pointed toward the problems presented in mold exposure. Read on to find out what some scientific minds have figured out. Or admitted. Let’s hope this is a legally defensible position.

“Extensive water damage resulting from major flooding is often associated with mold growth if materials are not quickly and thoroughly dried. Exposure to fungal contamination can lead to several infectious and noninfectious health effects impacting the respiratory system, skin, and eyes. Adverse health effects can be categorized as infections, allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, or toxic-irritant reactions. Workers and building occupants can minimize their exposure to mold by avoiding areas with excessive mold growth, using personal protective equipment, and implementing environmental controls. Occupational health professionals should encourage workers to seek health care if they experience any symptoms that may be linked to mold exposure.”

pubmed abstract
Department of Environmental Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.
AAOHN J. 2008 Mar;56(3):115-20; quiz 121-2.