Flood is a type of natural disaster that has long-lasting after-effects. Human beings can predict the time and duration of flood but they are yet to succeed in finding ways to completely prevent it. Barometers measure the air pressure and rain gauge is the invention to find the liquid precipitation. However, there is no instrument that can betray disaster that heavy rains and floods cause. Annually floods destroy millions of properties across the globe. Epidemics, molds growth, and never-ending moisture in walls are the results of a flood. Floods increase the underground water level. This water and moisture keep affecting the walls and edifices. Water absorbed in the foundations of homes deteriorates the infrastructure. Water absorbed in walls favors the growth of molds on walls. There are certain tips for basement flood mold prevention in Greenwich CT that can help before the water damage and molds completely destroy the home foundations.
#1. Buy a Dehumidifier
Flood affected areas have moisture and humidity in the atmosphere. This humidity keeps on adversely affecting the home foundations. Various brands have introduced dehumidifiers that remove moisture from air. They maintain a certain level of water vapors content in air. You can buy a high-quality dehumidifier and install it in the basement. This instrument will maintain the moisture level in your basement and home foundations will remain safe.
#2. Remove Indoor Plants
All plants need a sufficient amount of water and moisture for their healthy growth. It is often observed that fungus and molds grown on tree barks because need water for their survival. Plants have to be watered to keep them alive so they offer ideal habitat for molds, fungus, and mildews. It is advisable to temporarily remove all indoor plants after flood for mold prevention.
#3. Empty Your Basement If Possible
It is too common to use the basement as a storeroom. In most of the houses, attics and basements are used for this purpose. When you keep many objects in your basement they absorb the moisture present in air. Floodwater enters the basement and people carelessly remove this water from basement. Of course they do not live there but their unused object remains there. Wooden objects easily absorb the water vapors in air and become favorable for mold growth. This mold takes least time to attack the foundations of a home. This is how an untended and unclean basement causes the outgrowth of mold. This mold keeps on hollowing the infrastructure of foundations and there remains no way out but to hire services for waterproofing.
#4. Never Store Wood in Basement
It has been elaborated earlier that tree barks and trunk have a certain level of water content. Even the logs of wood are capable of absorbing water vapors in the rainy season. After flood air is usually filled with moisture and this humidity penetrates the wood logs. Thereby, offering the perfect growing medium for molds. One is advised to never ever store wood logs in his basement.
#5. Clean the Rain Gutters
People think that rain gutters are installed at the roofing so how would it be connected to foundations of home anyway? But they have a link with foundations of home and basement. If you do not clean rain gutters they remain filled with dirt and rainwater will not find a way to reach the sewage. Basements are already affected by flood and this rainwater collects around the basement. Therefore, posing the dual threat to the home foundations. You have to clean rain gutters to avoid more water in basement. Less water will automatically minimize the chances of molds in basement after flood.
#6. Adjust the Slopes in Your Home
Slopes in your home have to be so adjusted that they take water away from your home. Rain gutters must end up in the main sewage line. These slopes prevent a pool of water around the basement. Now you know that water is one of the biggest causes of molds in the basement.
#7. Fix Leaky Pipelines
If there pass water supply lines from your basement then you better check them after flood. Flood water always has high pressure and it enters homes and buildings in the form of a gush. Pressure of water can damage the supply lines in basement. If water supply pipes get leaky and they remain untended then water keeps on collecting in basement. You must fix all pipes and use heaters and dehumidifiers in basement. These efforts to keep your basement dry help in preventing mold growth.
#8. Install an Exhaust Fan in Basement
If you lack an exhaust fan in your basement then go for it instantly. After a flood, not only basement but complete home needs to be ventilated. An exhaust fan helps in taking out the moist air from basement and it brings inside the fresh air. An exhaust fan removes the smell, odor, and moisture from basement which are ideal for mold growth. Thereby, keep walls of your basement intact and free of molds.
