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If your house has been in a flood there's a good chance you will end up with a mould problem. However there are steps you can take to try to prevent mould growing in your home after it's been flooded.
Flood restoration services
If you live in a flood area you will probably already be aware of the risk to you and your home. Its recommended that you are aware of this and you identify the areas at risk and the source of flooding (e.g. rivers, seas, reservoirs, groundwater, surface water, sewers and mains supply) and the pathways that water will take to reach your home.
After a flood, we advise that you contact a professional mould & flood remediation company who are specialists in water damage and performs clean ups of flooded homes. Here at Tempest, we are professional fire, flood and water damage specialists and have years of experience in flood and water damage remediation works following a disaster to your home. With Tempest, you can be sure that all mould problems will be properly taken care of and also have the peace of mind of knowing that your home will be safe to live in after it's been professionally cleaned and restored.
Mould can start to grow quicker than you think so it's important to act immediately following a flood in your home. Surprisingly, mold will start growing immediately after spores are attached to an item. Mold can easily grow within 24 to 48 hours, and will begin to colonize in 1 to 12 days. Most times, mold is already a problem before it is discovered.
Once the relevant services have given you the all clear to enter your property, you will need to remove as much floodwater from your home as you can. If you have any pumping equipment you can utilise this at this stage. Remember that you should only use this equipment if you have been given the all clear to do so. You should also try to remove any dirt, mud or other debris that came into your house during the flood.
The quicker you can begin to dry out your home after a flood the better. This way you can minimize secondary damage along with any mould problems. You may even be able to prevent any mould growing at all. Using items like dehumidifiers, fans or heaters will help to dry out your home quicker and more efficently. Again when dealing with electrical appliances, you should make sure it's safe to use these items. If the air outside isn't very humid then open windows to ventilate your house. A professional flood damage company like Tempest Restoration have years of experience in dealing with flood damamge limitation and clean up and have very powerful uequipment that is designed for the safe cleanup following a flood in the home.
If you happen to have carept down in your home when it gets flooded, chances are that this will need to be disposed of. Carpets can take a very long time to dry out if they get saturated and are a perfect breeding ground for mould. Professional carpet cleaning might be able to rectify the damage.
Mould can grow on the walls, or inside the wall cavities, of rooms that were flooded. If a room with plasterboard walls has been flooded then this needs to be removed and disposed of. Any spots above the tideline will also have to be cut away and removed. Mould cannot be properly cleaned from porous materials like plasterboard. This material changes its structure when it becomes wet. and as a consequence is not suitable for use in a home. Mould can become trappedin the structure and given the right environment, it can start to grow rapidly inside without you even knowing about it.
Other porous building materials that got wet during should also be removed. Wood which got wet is usually safe to keep once it's been throroughly dried as long as there is no mould growing on it. Our highly trained technicians here at Tempest can identify this and treat as necessary. Most houses are full of porous materials which allow flood water to permiate. Structural items such as timbers are more difficult to treat than items such as plasterboard, carpets or insulation which can be disposed of and replaced with minor inconvenience. Although you should remove any wet building materials as quickly as possible following a flood, before you replace them you need to make sure that the house is fully dried out. Wall cavities are one of those areas that need careful attention and shouldn't be sealed back up until it is completely dry inside. If you start any rememdial work and find later that you have mould re-appearing, the likelihood is that their was moisture trapped inside the cavity and sealing it up made the perfect breeding ground for the mould to sprout and spread throughout. This is why its vital to use a professional mould and flood damage restoration specialist like Tempest Restoration to restore your home following a flood. With our specialists equipment and knowledge, you can be assured that once we complete the restoration works, their will be no further damage to the home.
You should remove any items that got wet during the flood, such as furniture and boxes, out of your home. If you move these wet items to another room inside your house (such as from a downstairs room to an upstairs room) this can actually spread the mould problem to an area that didnt require any attention. Here at Tempest Restoration, we have extensive knowledge in the repair of flood damaged items in the home and have been restoraing damaged furniture for many years.
Once surfaces in your home have dried you can begin the clean up process. During the clean up process, all surfaces will need to be washed and disinfected including floors, walls, shelves and cupboards. Using specialist solutions, Tempest are able to neutralise your surfaces and prevent the growth of mould. At this stage, carpets and flood damaged hard floors can be cleaned and restored.
Hard surfaced, non-porous items which don't absorb water can be cleaned using specialist detergents. After these items are dried it is safe to return them to your home without having to worry about them causing further mould damage. It's advised to throw away porous items which absorbed water and which can't be dried thoroughly within a 24-48 hour period. Ast this it becomes increasingly difficult to guarantee results. Any objects with mould already growing on them and which can't be cleaned properly should be thrown out. Linen items such as clothes and bedding can be washed and kept.
As already mentioned, mould can start to grow incredibly quickly following a flood. Mouldy areas should be contained so that mould spores don't spread to the rest of your house. The process of mould removal shouldnt be undertaken until after your home has dried out and any dirt and debris has been removed from inside. Its absolutely essential that the mould remediation process has been completed before you occupy your house again.
Before you move back into your home, it is absolutely essential that it has been dried out and is mould free. The dangers to your health are severe and should not be taken lightly. Given the nature of modern homes now, moulds have become toxic and at severe levels, can kill. Its imperitive to only place items back into the home once they, and your home, are completely dried out. Using a professional restoration company like Tempest, we thoroughly inspect your home for any signs of mould. If any mouldy items are found inside they are removed for cleaning purposes or for refuse. We are also aware and look out for any mouldy odours as well or any sign that you are suffering symptoms from mould. Often, mould can grow in places that you cant visibly see and odours are a sign that you may well have an underlying problem. Another good reason for getting a professional in to inspect and restore your home for you.
FAQs
A. Here at Tempest Restoration we have been providing flood restoration services to properties across the UK. In that time we have dealt with water damage of all scales. Over the years have not only been involved in 1000's of small domestic disaster restoration claims but also major incidents from the Cumbrian floods to the Buncefield fire at the oil storage terminal in Hertfordshire. Our continuous investment in the very latest flood drying equipment and technician training enables us to handle professionally any size and scale of flood damage. Our aim is to provide a prompt, professional and reliable disaster restoration service to domestic and commercial property owners.
A. We are fully equipped to clean up flood damage after all types of flood. Over the years we have helped thousands of homeowners and businesses alike recover from Coastal flooding, River flooding, Flash flooding, Groundwater flooding and Sewer flooding. Read our guide on common types of flood water. We are able to deal with all types of water including clean water, grey water (a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to) and black water (water which contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness). Read our guide on common categories of water. Floods can be caused for many different reasons. Heavy rainfall, storm water, river flooding, coastal surges, leaking/burst pipes or human error are all typical causes of flood water in the home or business premises. The source of the ingress isn't always visible neither. Water can trace itself to a point from a large distance away from the entry source. Here at Tempest we have specialist detection equipment for trace and access on water ingression to a property.
A. Flood water can devastate a property. The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface. At this point, the potential damage done to a structure that you may not have been aware of can be large in scale. Or, it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a major contributor to loss of property. Whatever the cause, primary flood damage is just the beginning and you need to act fast to minimise the consequences of secondary damage. Your home is full of porous materials that absorb water like a sponge which will damage structural integrity. Water causes corrosion and damages electrical equipment which can be fatal if not identified. Residual moisture becomes water vapour throughout the building which will condense. If the water is not completely removed it can lead to dry rot and a high risk of microbial growth e.g. mould and bacteria which is damaging to your health and isnt always something visible to the naked eye like typical black mould in a bathroom.
A. After a safety assessment, we look to identify the cause of the water leak or ingress using various tools and equipment. Our experienced team of technicians will look to make a decision on the best course of action for your situation. The next stage utilises advanced water removal equipment followed by rapid drying technology and humidity control to remove the water and moisture from the property.
A. Their are many potential health risks associated with flood water. Apart from the initial potential risk of drowning, the further potential risks to your health very much depend upon the nature of the water. We are able to deal with all types of water including clean water, grey water (a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to) and black water (water which contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness). If there is any possibility of contamination DO NOT TOUCH IT, call Tempest Restoration on 0845 052 4522. Read our guide on common categories of water.
A. Every case is different and their are many factors that make up the scale of damage and repair required due to flood damage of a property. We recommend a site survey to ascertain the level of damage and repair required. Once on site, we are able to quickly advise on the best course of action to bring about the most effective recovery. Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures the remediation process will be thorough, effective and as fast as possible, returning your home or business to normality as quickly as possible. Using the latest technology and with highly experienced technicians, our aim is to complete the restoration in the best way to reduce costs and prevent secondary damage in the future.
A. Every flood is unique and as such the timescale is dependent on many variations and factors. A small scale water leak is usually quiker to repair than large scale flooding caused by a river overflowing. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will assess the damage and act fast and efficiently to provide a tailored and precise response to your properties specific requirements. The use of modern equipment, rapid drying technology and working practise means that your home or business will be safely and quickly returned to normal, minimising disruption and cost.
A. We operate across the UK with technicians available in major towns and cities. Our head office is based in Swaffham, Norfolk where we undertake all our training.
Contact Tempest Restoration now for swift and immediate assistance.
0845 052 4522
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We'd let the place go since our family left home, so somewhat guiltily we asked Tempest ...
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