Molds are part of our natural environment but with
the seasonal rainfall and flooding, mold growth
quickly becomes a problem in our homes.  The
Green County Health Department would like to
provide you with information on steps to take should
flood or storm water enter your home.  

First, when entering an area where there is standing
water please turn off the main electrical power.  Then
have an electrician check the house’s electrical
system before turning the power on again.  Never
turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool
or appliance while standing in water.

Once it is determined that it is safe to resume use of
the power in your home you can use a “wet-dry”
shop vacuum (or the vacuum function of a carpet
steam cleaner), an electric-powered water transfer
pump, or sump pump to remove standing water.  
Wear rubber boots if you are working in wet areas.  If
you are unable to use the home’s electricity, you can
use a portable generator to power equipment for
water removal.  Be cautious to ventilate the area
where the generator is being used to avoid carbon
monoxide accumulation and poisoning.

After the water has been removed, you must
continue to dry the area with fans or dehumidifiers.  
This is critical to prevent mold growth.  If carpeting,
furniture, drywall or other materials remain wet for
48 hours or more, mold growth is almost a certainty.  
These and other porous materials would then need
to be removed or the mold is likely to return despite
clean up efforts.  Drywall should be cut and removed
to at least one foot above the water line to ensure all
wet drywall is removed.  Flooded spaces must be
dried thoroughly before rebuilding the walls or laying
new carpet.

Homeowners are cautioned to seek professional
assistance to remove and clean up larger amounts of
mold or if the water damage is compounded by
sewage contamination.

If attempting to clean up an area yourself, please
limit your exposure to the mold.  You can eliminate
some exposure by wearing an N95 respirator
(mask).  These are available at hardware stores. Also
wear long sleeves, pants gloves and goggles for
further protection.  Children should not be in the area.

Clean up of nonporous surfaces, such as plastic,
metal, or wood, can be done by scrubbing with a stiff
brush, hot water, and a non-ammonia soap/detergent
or commercial cleaner.  Collect excess cleaning
liquid with a wet/dry vacuum, mop or sponge.  Then
rinse the area with clean water.

A final disinfection cleaning should be done to kill
the mold spores left behind.  Mix 1 part bleach to 9
parts of water and apply to surfaces where mold
growth was visible before cleaning.  The solution can
be applied with a spray bottle, garden sprayer,
sponged on, or applied by other methods.  Collect
any run-off of bleach solution.  However, do not rinse
or wipe the bleach solution off the areas being
treated—allow it to dry on the surface.

A final caution:  NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH AMMONIA
as toxic chlorine gas may result.  Remember bleach
is corrosive and may damage some materials and be
harmful when inhaled by both people and pets.  

Even after thorough clean up you will need to be
vigilant to mold re-growth.  This could be a sign that
the source of moisture is not yet controlled or clean
up with a stronger solution is necessary.  

If you suspect that your private well has been
flooded or contaminated, you should obtain water
from a known safe source for drinking, cooking, and
food preparation.  Disinfect your well and plumbing
system before drawing water from the well.  Water
test kits are available at the Health Department.

Further information is available by calling the Green
County Health Department at 328-9390 or on our
website at  www.greencountyhealth.org.

RoAnn Warden, R.N.
Health Officer
Green County Health Department
AFTER THE
FLOOD...
CONTROLLING
THE MOLD