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There is a difference between repairing something and repairing it properly. If you come across a situation you don't know how to fix, then you need to call the experts. There are repair professionals who specialize in everything from ovens to roofs. Knowing how to select and hire the right one is half the battle. That's one topic you will find explained here on this website. We've also collected various other articles on repairs and restoration. We don't expect you will be an expert on the topic by the time you finish reading, but we do think you'll be better informed and more able to hire the right expert.

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Home Clean-Up Tips To Help You Manage After A Flood Disaster And Mold Growth

by Clara Nichols

Mold growth is a serious problem that you don't want to put off for later to handle with your weekly cleaning. Mold spores in your home can pose a serious health risk to you and your other family members, leading to a rash, sinusitis, a sore throat, and respiratory and asthma problems. Here are some tips to help you clean up after you find water damage in your home with any related mold growth so you can protect your home.

Handle Water Disasters Appropriately

When you find water damage in your home from outside flooding sources or interior water leaks, you may not know exactly where the water is originating from. Because the floodwaters may contain raw sewage from your home's plumbing or from outside overflowing sewer drains, you may not want to expose your skin to the floodwaters. Remove the water from your home first, either with a pump or carpet cleaning extractor because you don't know if there are bacteria within the water that can harm you.

If your home's outlets are under the floodwaters, there is a risk of electrical shock if you decide to start clean-up. Always switch off your home's main electrical breaker in the breaker box before touching any water. Then, after you have removed the floodwaters, you can clean up any mud or debris left behind and start discarding items in your home that are not salvageable. Work quickly to clean and dry out items you wish to save before mold can grow. You can also contact a professional restoration company to help you salvage your most prized possessions. 

Clean Up Visible Mold

Once the mold begins to start growing within your home on surfaces, you can tackle the situation to remove it, just be aware of the rules to the clean-up process dealing with mold. Use a liquid soap and water solution to disinfect any surfaces and wipe away visible mold. Then, use a mixture of one part bleach to nine parts water to sanitize the items that are exposed to mold growth. This solution is the strongest solution you can use that contains bleach, which is a great way to kill remaining mold spores.

Cut out areas of your walls and baseboards that have mold growth. Most drywall will be damaged and need replacement after a flood situation. However, baseboards are usually salvageable after mold exposure. Just be sure to clean them thoroughly to wipe off mold growth and allow the bleach and water mixture to dry on the surfaces.

For more information, contact a water damage repair service in your area.

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