When to discard a flood-contaminated mattress?

Can a flooded mattress still be reused?

Mattresses are one of the usual home furnishings that gets completely destroyed during a flooding situation. (Photo Credits)

Flooded mattresses are usually very difficult to clean and save, in fact there are even mattress professionals that specialize in restoring damaged mattresses due to flood contamination.

But how can a property owner tell whether his mattress is still worth saving or not?

Bed Perfect.com came up with some tips.

“Most spillages are usually minimal in nature but in the event of a flood, you might be forced to consider whether the mattress can be salvaged or disposed of altogether. Flood water contains all kinds of contaminants, from raw sewage to fuel. As such, if a mattress has been completely soaked in this water for some time it would most likely have deep stains and if it is made from foam, discarding it would be the best option.”

Read more here.

Assessing the mattress damage

Ghostbed.com also came up with a guide on how to find out whether a flood-contaminated mattress should be discarded or not. More info here 

“If it has been submersed in water for some time, then the damage could be severe enough that you will want to consider getting a professional to restore your mattress. A completely soaked mattress presents a very difficult job for you to totally remove water and moisture. The water damaged mattress that is not properly cleaned can be a dangerous breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Flood waters often contain toxins and sewage. This is absorbed into the mattress and other upholstered furnishings that have been affected.”

The original article can be found here.

The Alabama Cooperative Extensions System meanwhile explained what it means when a mattress gets soiled with flood water, and how property owners should deal with it.

“If a mattress must be used temporarily, scrape off surface dirt and expose mattress to sunlight to dry as much as possible. Cover mattress with a rubber or plastic sheet or mattress cover before using it. If you decide to keep a flood-soiled mattress, it should be sterilized. This must be done at a sterilizing plant such as a mattress company or a state hospital. Ask your local public health department or county Extension agent for information on mattress sterilizing plants in your area. Have mattresses as dry as possible before taking them to a sterilizing plant. Use crop drying fans or household fans to speed up the drying process.”

Take a look at the material here.

Depending on the extent of damage, some mattresses can be beyond repair or salvaging.

When flood damage hits upholstered furnishings

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The risks of untreated flood damage to children

Untreated Flood Damage can lead to mold growth

When mold growth affect babies’ health. (Photo Credits)

It may appear as if untreated water damage only causes physical hazards, but no, it can cause long term illnesses that may largely affect babies and the elderly.

Parents.com published a comprehensive article correlating mold exposure to illnesses on young children. Read this post 

“When your child is mildly allergic, avoiding exposure may be the only treatment she needs. Check your local newspaper or the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s National Allergy Bureau (aaaai.org/nab) for outdoor mold-spore levels in your area, and try to stay indoors when levels are high. If your child’s allergy is severe, a combination of an over-the-counter antihistamine, like Claritin or Zyrtec, and a prescription inhaled nasal steroid, such as Flonase or Nasonex, should help. Immunotherapy shots against mold are available, but experts say they aren’t always effective. During our own cleanup after the hurricane, we sealed our daughters’ bedroom door to keep the mold spores contained, and then we tore out the wet Sheetrock and carpet. Within days, Emily’s wheezing subsided, and I’d learned a valuable lesson: If you can’t prevent mold, get rid of it as fast as possible.”

Read the rest of the comprehensive article here.

Infants and Mold Exposure

The website Our Everyday Life also detailed the many health consequences of mold exposure on babies, particularly Black  Molds.

“The mycotoxins emitted by black mold are absorbed into the skin, airways and intestines, according to a 1998 article published in Pediatrics. The CDC reports that otherwise healthy individuals, including babies, are at a higher risk for coughing, wheezing and upper respiratory symptoms when they’re exposed to indoor mold, such as black mold. Babies are at a higher risk for developing asthma, as well, according to the CDC. Acute pulmonary hemorrhage has also been associated with indoor mold exposure, Pediatrics reports.”

Check out the continuation of this article here.

Get rid of molds

Baby Center India echoed the dangers of molds as mentioned in the articles above, and shared some ways to avoid and get rid of it.

“Carpets, rugs and curtains can absorb moisture very easily. Make sure to keep them clean. Dry them in the sun regularly. If your carpets or upholstery become mouldy, throw them away. They will need to be replaced. Having your air conditioning on can help stop mould forming. But, make sure that your air conditioning is kept clean. Mould can form in the system. Also, try to limit your use of humidifiers if you have them. They will keep the air moist which helps mould to form. Clean your humidifier often, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This will stop mould forming in the machine.”

Take a look at the material here.

Molds are indeed dangerous to infants and children. Careful measures should be made to ensure that they will not grow, and that children will not be exposed to it.

Dealing with a flooded carpet

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Dealing with a flooded carpet

Flooding and Carpets

Wet carpets can encourage mold growth. (Photo Credits)

Flooding automatically brings about carpet damage. And usually homeowners feel helpless when they cannot even lift the carpet because it is too heavy because it already soaked in the flood waters.

The Institute for Restoration Cleaning and Certification advises homeowners to seek professional help in case their home carpeting came into contact with flood waters.

“Mold can begin to grow if the water is left standing for long.  The experienced technician will come out and assess the damage and determine whether or not the carpet can be salvaged.  There are a number of factors that go into deciding this. One of the factors to consider is the source of the water.  Is it clean and pure, or did sewage get mixed in during the incident?  If the water contains harmful bacteria and is allowed to sit for an extended period of time, carpeting may need to be replaced.  Only a trained technician can accurately assess the damage and determine what steps need to be taken. Water damage to your carpet is a frustrating situation.  To ensure peace of mind, contact a certified technician that can handle this type of situation and get things back to normal.”

Read their whole advice on dealing with flooded carpets here.

Professional Help is Needed

Service Ratings Website Angie’s List has the same advice for homeowners. San Diego, CA  

“Water damage can easily be hidden underneath rugs or carpet, so be sure to give your home a thorough inspection if you suspect water damage. Cleaning water-soaked carpets and floors is difficult under any conditions, but in the aftermath of a storm or flood, contamination by mud, silt, sewage and mildew, can compound the problem. The Institute for Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification recommends that in such cases, a certified mold restoration service provider should evaluate water damage and remove mold.”

Take a look at the whole article here.

The website Do It Yourself meantime came up with a photo instructional guidelines meant to teach homeowners on what to do when flooding strikes the home carpet. “If you have decided to proceed with repairing or replacing your damaged carpet and you have determined that the wet carpet needs to be disinfected, make a solution consisting of 1-gallon of clean water with 2-tablespoons of liquid bleach. If you have furniture sitting on the carpet, remove it so that your floor area is open. Use the solution to scrub the contaminated carpet. Use a box cutter or utility knife to cut through the carpet and padding around the contaminated area. Lift the carpet and remove the padding.”

The continuation of this post can be found here.

The earlier a homeowner deals with a flooded carpet the better the chances that something can be done to salvage it

Flooding can lead to mold growth in unexpected places

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Flooding can lead to mold growth in unexpected places

Flood Damage, Molds and Dark Corners

 Molds can quickly grow after a flood, even where one least expects it. (Photo Credits)

Molds can grow as fast as 48 hours following a flood damage incident. The trouble there is that the growth can spread to places that may not be too obvious.

Facilities Net says Cavity Walls usually hold on to moisture and may be an attractive place for mold to grow.

“To minimize moisture and its effects in cavity walls, leaks must be quickly detected and corrected. Vapor barriers must be properly installed during building construction. All cracks on both interior and exterior surfaces must be filled. Infiltration rates must be reduced by maintaining slightly positive pressure with respect to the outside air.”

Read the rest of the list of unexpected places here.

Cool and Dry

Fox News Health for instance mentioned that even closets that are known as dry, and simple kitchen gadgets could be infested with molds.

“After you use any food prep vessel (like your blender), clean it promptly and dry it fully, so no moisture is left sitting inside. And replace your toothbrush every three months, says Dr. Tuck. Another place mold likes to hide: “cold” spots in your home. If you have rooms or closets that seem cooler than the rest of the house, leave the doors open to improve air circulation, and help prevent condensation. Leaving the fan in your central heating/cooling unit on at all times can help as well.”

Take a look at the whole article here.

Windows may invite molds

House Logic meantime mentioned that homeowners should check their windows as well for mold growth. This is especially true for homes that have been severely flooded. Flood Ace Damage Restoration  

“Why mold grows there: Condensation provides the moisture mold loves; dirt and dust supply food. How to wipe it out: After heavy rains, open windows and wipe moisture from the bottoms of sashes and window sills. If seals between panes are failing, you’ll have to repair or replace window sashes to prevent condensation. Regularly clean windows to deprive mold of food.”

Check out the continuation here.

Inspecting even the most unusual places after a flooding can be infested by molds. The best way to prevent this is by having professionals carefully inspect one’s home.

How to Disinfect after Wading through floodwaters

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How to Disinfect after Wading through floodwaters

Flood Damage and Disinfection

Wading through flood waters presents a whole lot of health risks. (Photo Credits)

Flooding inside the home can send the homeowners wading through floodwaters, because in reality, they do not have a choice. The problem with this scenario though is that there are a lot of flood-borne illnesses that can affect any person who have waded into flood waters.

Rhode Island’s Department Of Health has warned its constituents to keep good hygiene measures after a flooding incident. More info here

“Wash your hands with soap and clean water before preparing or eating food, after participating in cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage. Do not expose open cuts or wounds to floodwaters. Floodwaters can cause an infection in an open wound.”

Read the whole guidelines page here.

Flooding and Sanitation

Leeds, Greenville, and Lanark District Health Unit meantime reminded its readers that apart from disinfecting ones body, flooded but salvageable items should be disinfected as well following a flooding incident.

“Floodwaters are usually very dirty. During a flood, water leaves the normal course of streambeds and washes over the countryside. The floodwaters then come in contact with farmyards, manure piles, refuse heaps, outhouses, overflowing septic systems and other sources of disease, resulting in heavy contamination of the water. The contaminated water can make people sick and items that have been in contact with the floodwaters need to be handled properly. If flood damaged areas are not cleaned properly and quickly there is a danger of mould growing. Mould can be harmful to some individuals if inhaled or swallowed.”

Read the whole article here.

Importance of Cleanliness and Hygiene

The US Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration meantime came up with a guide on how every worker should conduct himself following a flooding scenario.

“Floodwater often contains infectious organisms, including intestinal bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella; Hepatitis A Virus; and agents of typhoid, paratyphoid and tetanus. The signs and symptoms experienced by the victims of waterborne microorganisms are similar, even though they are caused by different pathogens. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle aches, and fever. Most cases of sickness associated with flood conditions are brought about by ingesting contaminated food or water. Tetanus, however, can be acquired from contaminated soil or water entering broken areas of the skin, such as cuts, abrasions, or puncture wounds.” Read the continuation here.

Cleaning up after a flood is important, but equally critical as well is the disinfection that follows after a flood clean up. Flood restoration experts are in the best position to conduct the flood clean up operations. After all they  have the expertise, tools and equipment, as well as all the safety gear needed to restore a home that has been inundated with flood waters.

Best ways to remove mold after a flooding

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Best ways to remove mold after a flooding

Molds that grew after a flood occurrence

Removing molds after a flood cleanup. (Photo Credits)

There are numerous ways to tackle molds that have grown due to flooding. It is important though to keep in mind that professional help remains to be the best and most permanent solution to get rid of a mold problem.

WebMd advised its readers to be more careful when dealing with a large-scale flooding at home. Read this post         

“If the power has been off for a few days, mold may have already gotten the upper hand by the time you’re really able to start cleaning. Both the CDC and the EPA recommend bringing in a trained professional to clean up mold that covers more than 100 square feet or a 10-foot-by-10-foot area. Some states require contractors that clean up mold to be licensed. At the minimum, anyone you hire should have experience getting rid of mold, references you can call, and liability insurance. If you’re cleaning a smaller area, you can wash mold off most hard surfaces with a mixture of detergent and hot water. The EPA doesn’t recommend using chlorine bleach or other biocides — chemicals that kill living organisms — to clean up mold unless there are special circumstances, such as a person living in the home who has a weakened immune function.”

Read the rest of the post here.

More solutions to Minor Mold Issues

For those minor mold issues, now that there are solutions to the problem that are within reach. It is just wise to have enough knowledge to ensure that the mold removal technique a homeowner is employing remains to be a safe solution to the mold growth problem.

WikiHow for instance shared that molds can be removed by using Hydrogen Peroxide. “Place 3% hydrogen peroxide in a dark spray bottle. Hydrogen peroxide’s effectiveness will diminish if it is exposed to light, so be sure to store it in a dark spray bottle to keep it effective. If desired, add a little bit of vinegar to the hydrogen peroxide solution in order to up the effectiveness of the solution. Perform a spot test on the surface where the mold is on. A spot test will test whether the hydrogen peroxide causes the surface to fade. Spray the moldy surface completely and let stand for 10 to 20 minutes while the peroxide attacks the mold.” Read the continuation of the whole process here.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention meantime shared some guidelines in cleaning up molds at home after a flooding. “ALWAYS open windows and doors when using bleach, to let fumes escape. NEVER use bleach straight from the bottle to clean surfaces. Use no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water when you’re cleaning up mold. If you are using stronger, professional strength bleach use less than 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water.” Read the rest of the guidelines here.

Molds can get extremely dangerous, it is important to follow guidelines in safely cleaning up grown mold. Always choose professional mold removal services when possible because experts are in the best position to safely and permanently remove molds.

Flood-Borne Illnesses

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Flood-Borne Illnesses

Why Flooding can be Very Dangerous

The health troubles that flooding can bring. (Photo Credits)

Flooding can be very devastating, not only because of property loss or destruction but also because of the health problems that it can bring. Flooding can bring about fatal illnesses that can spread rapidly within a community. And while cleanliness and sanitation is key, these can sometimes be impossible especially if the nature of the flooding is unexpected.

In its website, the World Health Organization mentioned that there are two major types of diseases that flood waters may carry. These include water-borne diseases, and then the vector-borne diseases.

“Floods may indirectly lead to an increase in vector-borne diseases through the expansion in the number and range of vector habitats. Standing water caused by heavy rainfall or overflow of rivers can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes, and therefore enhance the potential for exposure of the disaster-affected population and emergency workers to infections such as dengue, malaria and West Nile fever. Flooding may initially flush out mosquito breeding, but it comes back when the waters recede. The lag time is usually around 6-8 weeks before the onset of a malaria epidemic.”

Read their whole article here.

Flooding and Over-All Health

Canadian-Based website About Kids’ Health meantime expounded on Water-Borne Diseases brought about by flooding. San Diego, CA      

“Different types of water-borne diseases are prevalent in different parts of the world. For example, this time in Mumbai, one water-borne disease expected was cholera. New Orleans, however, is expecting to see mostly cases of hepatitis A. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection, contracted by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Incubation period is usually two to three days. Symptoms include profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Rapid loss of body fluids can lead to dehydration and shock, and without treatment, death can occur within hours.” Read the continuation of this article here.

The website Archive Global explained why these illnesses can be very dangerous especially if the flooding takes place in a developing nation.

“While developed and developing countries have an equal probability of being struck by natural disasters, limited-resources countries are often less able to cope with disease outbreaks, particularly as response systems are disrupted during flooding periods. Low-income urban regions are highly susceptible to the spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding, poor existing health conditions, and inadequate health infrastructure. To compound the problem, mass flooding and monsoons have intensified over the past several decades as a result of rising global temperatures. Climate change contributes to both the frequency and the intensity of heavy rains, heat waves, and rising sea levels, all of which accelerate the transmission of communicable diseases.”

Read their whole article here.

As soon as flooding takes place, it is important that homeowners be proactive in restoring their own homes in the pre-flooded state. Seeking for professional restoration services is a must especially when flood waters have reached the interiors of a home and a part of it has at least been inundated.

Untreated Flood Damage can Expose Children to Molds

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Avoiding Molds when buying older homes

Older Homes could have been flooded at one point

Avoiding mold-infested older homes. (Photo Credits)

When buying an older home, it is a possibility that it may have been flooded at one point in its existence. And while the agent may not really inform buyers about how an older home was restored following a flooding incident, there are still ways to determine whether the home has molds or other adverse effects of flooding. San Diego CA Flood Removal 

Apartment Therapy says annoying odours is one of the first signs.

“The thing about weird smells is that they have a source, and the source can cost you major dinero to fix. In older homes, it’s tempting to chalk up any mustiness to that “old house smell.” Real estate agents may even refer to it that way, or try to camouflage the odors with candles or air fresheners. It’s always good to bring up any funky smells when you’re touring a potential home, though, because such smells can be indicators of big problems like water damage, mildew, mold, and even infestations of pests like rats or cockroaches.”

The article is continued here.

Check the ceiling

The ceiling can also give a clue as to whether the older home may have mold or fungal infestations as mentioned in the website Comfree.

“When checking the ceilings of an older house, it is vital to look for any type of sagging or water stain marks that look like little clouds. A ceiling that sags with a parachute appearance is a sure sign that the roof is leaking. Water stain marks on the ceiling could signal that mold exists in the attic. Depending on the size and square footage, those problem areas could cost tens of thousands of dollars each to repair. Before buying an older home, consult with a professional home inspector and obtain a detailed report outlining each problem area.”

Read the whole post here.

Floorboards should be checked

Raywhite.com in its website, also advised older home buyers to check on the floorboards and walls of the home that they are about to buy.

“If you find something major wrong during this stage you could save yourself the time and money of hiring inspectors and perhaps decide to avoid the property completely. Take a close look at the exterior and interior walls, as well as floorboards, skirting boards and the roof. Look out for signs of mould or damp, and check for sagging or cracking that could be a result of structural problems.”

Check out the whole article here.

Here’s a video that will help buyers in deciding about buying an older home.

Improving Indoor Air Quality the Natural Way

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Packing a Flood Survival Kit

Protect the whole family with an easy to grab flood kit

A disaster that can take place anytime. (Photo Credits)

Having a flood survival kit can greatly help in ensuring safety during flooding.

United Kingdom Based Home Protect gave the basics on how to make one.

“A flood survival kit should contain all the items you need to get through a flood safely if you are unable to get out through the lower floors of your home. For this reason it is advisable to store (the majority of) your kit on the upper floors where possible, in a convenient and easy to access spot. Because it is not always possible to predict how submerged your home might become, it is useful to store part or all of your kit in water-tight containers and/or plastic boxes with lockable lids. Important documents, such as policies and certificates, need to be sealed in waterproof containers and should preferably have duplicates kept in a secure off-site location.”

Read the whole guide here.

List of contents

The website Urgent Survival enumerated the contents of a flood survival kit. Flood San Diego, Ca    

“With all the flooding, saturated ground, levees & dams maxed out to full capacity all across the south central region, other mandatory evacuations are a very real possibility. Make a plan! If this happens what will you do? If you don’t have a survival backpack kit ready to go for emergency evacuations then stop what you are doing right now and either buy one or make one. When an immediate evacuation order is issued there are always mixed reports on what is actually going on. You need to assume the worst is coming. Grab your kit, wallet/purse, and any prescription meds and head to higher ground immediately.”

Print the whole list from here.

Floatation Device

The Prepper Times meantime shared a Do-It-Yourself Instructional Video of how to create a floatation device that will also serve as a flood survival kit that can be used during a massive and life-threatening flooding situation.

“This is a prototype design of a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Survival Kit for water emergencies such as floods and tsunamis. While I have several general purpose emergency kits, I didn’t have anything specific to act as a flotation aid. While the top priority is to evacuate a water hazard path as quickly as possible, I still wanted to have an emergency kit available that could potentially aid with my personal flotation and possibly help save loved ones. While tsunamis are more probable in coastal regions, flooding can occur almost anywhere.”

Watch the video here.

Preparedness can definitely help a lot in increasing survival rates during massive flooding incidents.

Appliances and Flood Damage

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Getting sick of Black Molds

The Dangers of Black Mold Exposure

Black molds can be lethal. (Photo Credits) 

Exposure to black molds can be fatal, therefore it is in the best interest of any property owner to prevent its growth in his home or commercial establishment.

A good way to avoid this is making sure that flood damage gets treated professionally once it takes place so that flood waters, and moisture can be removed from the areas that had been affected by the flooding.

Black molds thrive in moist environment hence areas where moisture may have been retained should be properly dried and treated by a flood restoration company. The illnesses that black molds can cause should convince any homeowner that the money that can be saved from refusing to avail professional services is definitely not worth the health concerns it may bring about.

Dr. Pompa.com relayed the many illnesses one type of black mold can cause.

“Aspergillus is another toxic mold that is a big threat to our well-being. In Pittsburgh, they recently shut down one of the country’s best transplant programs because Aspergillus was present in the intensive care unit for post surgery, and people were dying from the exposure. When you are on an immunosuppressant drug, Aspergillus grows in your lungs very easily. Aspergillus exposure can cause multiple symptoms, including fever and chills, blood streaked sputum from the lungs (hemoptysis) and/or severe bleeding from the lungs, shortness of breath, chest pain, joint pain, headaches, eye problems, nose bleeding and facial swelling.”

Read the rest of the post here.

When black molds thrive

Spotmold.com meantime shared a study about toxic black mold exposure.

“One of the biggest problems with mold sickness is that it impacts everyone differently. Some may experience minor allergies, and other health conditions like asthma and chronic sinusitis, while other mold sensitized patients may suffer severe illnesses. One physician documented the health symptoms of 227 patients that lived in water damaged buildings during a three year period. What this doctor found was that 98% of his patients had one of the gene types where their immune systems were not able to effectively deal with contaminants from water damaged.”

Check out the rest of the feature here.

More illnesses from exposure

Psych Central also shared other symptoms that could be felt upon constant exposure to black molds. Get rid of Flood

“Many species of black mold and mildew (or the mycotoxins they produce) can cause or aggravate a quantity of diseases. General effects from molds such as Stachybotrys area, Penicillium, Cladosporium and some strains of Aspergillus, are asthma, pneumonitis, upper respiratory problems, sinusitis, dry cough, skin rashes, stomach upset, headaches, disorientation and bloody noses. Many other kinds of mold and fungus are also toxic, and many mycotoxins are recognized carcinogens. Severe exposures can cause internal bleeding, kidney and liver failure and pulmonary emphysema. Such wellness risks due to the appearance of mold in a residence are a grave matter to residents, and can pose possible responsibility for landlords of rental homes.”

Read the rest of the post here.

Toxic black mold can be prevented from growing inside a home. The key is being well informed about it, and seeking professional services when faced in a situation that could allow it to grow.

Eliminating Molds after a Home Flooding

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