A water leak can be caused by several reasons but perhaps the most common one is a broken or damaged pipe. If not addressed immediately, a small leak may result in great damage that can even cause flooding eventually. If this already happens, the best thing that you can do is to ensure that the growth of mold and other bacteria is prevented as soon as the water leak is resolved. In line with this, below are some of the ways on how you can prevent mold after a water leak.
Eliminate Water
One of the first things that you need to do after a water leak is to remove all stagnant water in the area affected by the leak. If needed, you can rent specialized water vacuums to siphon the water out or use your traditional buckets. This will pave the way for an easier black mold and water damage restoration that will follow later on. It is also important to remove the water in the area immediately because this can be contaminated with dangerous chemicals or pathogens that can harm your health and lead to various illnesses.
Dry Surfaces
As soon as you have fully eliminated the water in the area affected by the leak, the next thing that you need to do is to dry the surfaces. Keep in mind that you need to work on preventing moisture to inhibit mold growth. Depending on the area that you need to dry out, you can use a rag or a mop that can soak up excess water that the specialized water vacuum failed to remove. Otherwise, you can also use an industrial fan to make sure that the surface dries up quickly.
Dry Damp Rugs and Carpets
In case there is a rug or a carpet that has been wet during the leak, make sure to remove it from the area and hang it out to dry under the sun. In this way, you are greatly minimizing the chance of mold infestation in your rugs or carpets because the heat of the sun can mitigate their growth. If you fail to dry your rugs and carpets properly, then they can foster mold growth, which can then spread to the surrounding areas of your home when you bring them back in.
Remove Damaged Materials
It may be heartbreaking, but you need to let go of your belongings, which can no longer be fully cleaned or dried. If not, then they may pave the way for mold to grow. You should replace them instead with new things that are made from materials that are more mold resistant such as fiberglass. In the same manner, if your insulation is wet, you also need to replace it with mold-resistant insulation because the dirty water that intrudes into the cavity is just what molds need to spread.
Sanitize
After thorough drying, you need to proceed with cleaning and sanitizing. In this case, go for cleaning solutions that can eliminate the growth of molds and bacteria. In case you already notice small pockets of infestation, you can use bleach to treat them immediately. Just keep in mind that there are instances wherein these measures are not fully effective, particularly if molds have already begun to spread. In this case, you should get professional help.
Get Professional Help
Some cleaners specialize in eliminating molds in your home. If you want to be sure that your home is mold-free, then you should get professional help. Rest assured that they are equipped with the right tools and cleaning solutions not only to remove molds in your home but to prevent the growth of new ones too. They also have the proper training on how to handle the removal of molds.
Monitor Exteriors
Finally, make sure to monitor the exterior of your home as well to ensure that groundwater is not accumulating in any part of your home. The reason behind this is that when the ground is saturated, mold can begin to form outside. Eventually, the molds that grow outside may find their way inside your home. In this case, you need to explore preventive measures on how you will be able to drain the water away from your home. Keep in mind that keeping everything dry, including your exteriors, is the best way to prevent the growth of molds.
Make sure to eliminate water from the area where the leak occurred as soon as possible. From there, dry your surface, as well as your damp rugs and carpets. In case you have any belongings which can no longer be completely dried, then it is best to discard them. After this, ensure to sanitize and monitor even the exteriors of your home. Remember to get professional help if necessary to ensure that your home is mold-free for your health and safety.