Flood Damage Restoration & Residential Mold Remediation

Flood damage is one of the most common reasons why homeowners contact mold remediation companies.  When many people think of the word “flood,” they think of a natural event such as a very large rainfall or a hurricane.  “Flood damage” refers to any large incursion of water on the interior of a structure.  A home can flood accidentally due to a sink left running unattended, or due to a burst pipe during a period of extremely cold weather.  Mold can grow within 24-48 hours on sheetrock or any paper product that is submersed in water, so it is extremely important to call a flood damage restoration company immediately.  Upon arrival, the technicians will assess the situation and come up with a restoration plan that will focus on the preservation of property, and reducing conditions for mold growth.  They must immediately remove any standing water on the property.  This is accomplished through various types of portable sump pumps and vacuums designed for rapid water removal.  Once all standing water is removed, it is time to assess what can be salvaged and what must go.  If there is sheetrock that was exposed to any level of standing water, it is typically removed to a level of either 24” or 48”.  If very little water was exposed to the sheetrock, then the tech will remove 24”, but if the water has wicked up the wall then they may remove anywhere from 48” to the full 8’.  Sheetrock comes in boards that are typically 48” x 96”, so the technicians decide how much to remove based on 24” or 48” to avoid waste.

Flood Damaged Carpet

After carpet is submerged in water, there is almost no way to salvage it.  Carpet simply has too many nooks and crannies for mold to grow and thrive.  It is best to have it removed, as well as the padding.  This will help to preserve the subfloor from damage and additional property loss.  In cases where there is only mild exposure to water, it may be possible to salvage the carpet.  This decision should only be made by a trained restoration professional.

Flood Damaged Furniture

Flood damaged furniture is one of the more complicated issues in flood restoration.  Sheetrock and carpet typically do not possess any sort of sentimental value.  Antique items or pieces that are considered family heirlooms require a more careful assessment to determine their ability to be restored.  In general, any upholstered furniture that has no sentimental value should be discarded.  Any wooden furniture can generally be treated and restored.

Contacting the right mold testing or mold removal company can help you minimize flood-related damage.  If you have questions regarding the mold removal or remediation process, feel free to contact us!