As tropical systems and hurricanes once again barrel their way across the Atlantic Ocean, scrutinizing the ever-changing spaghetti plots on the news is all but an annual tradition.
And for those of us on the First Coast, we’re often crossing our fingers that both the winds and the hurricanes will blow another direction.
But for the storms that don’t, there are almost always strong storm surges and flooding accompanying the rainfall. And, where there is water, there will be mold.
Hurricanes in and of themselves don’t “bring mold,” but they do cause mold in areas that have been flooded as a result of heightened moisture.
“Mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure,” according to a flooding response guide provided by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem.”
Additionally, hurricane and mold study published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) further affirmed that the likelihood of mold and contamination forming in a hurricane-battered area was dependent upon “the duration of flooding, the extent of flooding, and the number of structures flooded.”
After flooding occurs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifies that homeowners should remove standing water wherever possible in indoor areas, as well as identify anything that has been wet for 24 to 48 hours, as these items should be both removed and discarded.
Once the problem is contained, we remove (or dry those whose structural integrity is intact) building materials that can’t be salvaged, and we collect furnishings and textiles for off-site restoration. A big part of our goal is to restore, not necessarily rebuild.
Recovering from a disaster is unlike anything you have ever done.
If you have experienced flooding and are in need of water extraction and/or mitigation services, call us! We have certified technicians with the skills to quickly pinpoint where the issue(s) are located to solve your water and mold problems and get you back into your home or business.
We at ServiceMaster Restoration of First Coast offer certified 24/7 emergency restoration services — because nobody should be left to their own devices in the wake of a disaster.
We do the hard work and heavy lifting to make the recovery process easier for you. To learn more or call for assistance, contact ServiceMaster Restoration of First Coast at (904) 219-0635 today
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