Can a Hurricane Cause Mold in Your Home?
If you are a long-time Florida resident, you’re no stranger to the anticipated and dreaded Hurricane Season. June 1st through November 30th can bring crazy amounts of wind, rain, and damage to a homeowner’s property. But how does the topic of mold fit into these yearly storms?
Mold is one of the most serious results of water damage from a hurricane and severe flooding. Mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours after water damage. It can keep growing until the correct measures are applied to stop it.
Who’s most at-risk for mold exposure?
Returning to water-damaged homes after a hurricane or a flood may pose serious health threats. This is especially true for people who already have pre-existing respiratory conditions, pregnant women, children, older adults, and people with diseases that compromise the immune system.
People with weakened immune systems can develop invasive mold infections days to weeks after exposure to fungi that live in the environment. People with a weakened immune system (especially people receiving treatment for cancer), people who have had an organ or stem cell transplant, and people taking medicines that suppress the immune system should avoid cleaning up mold, or even being in the vicinity of it.
How to protect yourself from mold
While there are ways to protect your home from mold growth during hurricane season, sometimes water damage happens. When attempting to clean or be near areas with mold, it might be necessary to wear rubber gloves, goggles, and boots
If you plan to be inside the affected building for a while, you should buy N95 masks (or a respirator with a higher protection level) at your local home supply store and wear one while in the building.
Make certain that you follow instructions on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. Even if you go back into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you need to wear an N95 mask.
How do I know if I’ve been exposed?
Molds can often be recognized by a visual inspection – look for wall or ceiling discoloration – and a bad or musty smell. However, they’re not always visible to the naked eye. You may start to experience symptoms ranging from an overall feeling of unwellness to long-term, acute health problems.
People who are sensitive to mold may experience a stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty with breathing and shortness of breath.
Individuals with weakened immune systems and those who have chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health care provider.
If you’re unsure if you have mold due to water damage but want to find out, contact a local mold company. They can perform the necessary diagnostics, including a mold inspection and/or an air quality test.
How to clean up mold after a disaster?
Attempting to remediate mold yourself can be ineffective, time consuming, and downright dangerous. If you suspect that mold might be present in your home after a hurricane or other natural disaster, there is no room for DIY Google remedies or half-baked guesses as to the severity of the issue. You want a mold expert in there early to assess the damage. Professional home remediation can save your home, your bank account, and your peace of mind.
TCB EnviroCorp for Florida Mold Remediation
At TCB EnviroCorp, we find that our clients who initially attempted to “fix” the mold problem themselves actually ended up making it worse! Bottom line – You need a licensed expert to first assess how much mold (and what type of mold) is in your home, then provide a mold removal plan.
Our goal is to get rid of the mold and make sure it won’t come back. If that is what you’re looking for, TCB EnviroCorp is here to help. Just don’t wait – call today and book an appointment with one of our experts. Your home, your health, and your well-being are more than worth it!
