Dealing with Mold After Fire Damage
A home fire is a major catastrophe, but the aftermath of a fire can be just as damaging. Consider the fire extinguishment process, which can introduce water and chemicals into the home. Dampness leads to moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More. Here’s how homeowners can deal with moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More after fire damage.
How does water enter a fire damaged home?
Fires hoses are designed to discharge massive amounts of water into a burning property to extinguish the fire.
Fires hoses are powerful forms of equipment, having the ability to forcefully discharge massive amounts of water into a fire engulfed property. Two fire hoses measuring three inches can release approximately 36 gallons of water per 100 feet when they are charged.
Fire officials use these hoses to pump water over the flames and squash them, and this introduces excess moisture into the property. A constant supply of water is sufficient nourishment for moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More. As a result, a moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More infestation can be the unwanted outcome of fire extinguishment.
Even a small, contained fire can encourage moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth inside the property. A homeowner who smothers a minor kitchen fire with a fire extinguisher will introduce wet foam and chemical extinguishers. Since they both contain water, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More is a likely outcome.
Another cause of moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth inside a fire damaged property is exposure to the elements. Raging fires can easily cause the roof to collapse or holes to develop. Rainwater or snowmelt dumps large amounts of moisture into these cavities and causes a moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More infestation inside the home.
What does mold need to survive?
Moisture is just one form of nourishment moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More require to survive inside a building. Other nutrients sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More feed off of include organic matter, such as wood and drywall. Organic materialsOrganic materials are derived from living organisms, such as... More like these are commonly found inside residential homes and are a great source of food for moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More.
Darkness is the third nutrient moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More need to live. A fire damaged home is likely to have fallen wood beams that create darkened nooks. It’s in these hidden areas where water from fire hoses pools that moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More can develop and grow into massive colonies.
How do homeowners tackle mold after fire and water damage?
A consistent water supply is the number one food source for moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More. So, after a fire has been extinguished, the most effective way to prevent moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More is to begin dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More, cleaning, and disinfecting the property as soon as it is safely possible. Homeowners can go about the process in a few different ways.
One way to dry the property and prevent or clean moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth is using a DIY approach. Set up multiple high-volume fans and structural dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More dehumidifiers throughout the affected spaces. The dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More should begin within 48 hours of the water damage for best results.
Point the fans directly toward the water damaged areas. DryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More equipment should be run continuously for 24 hours a day in order to be effective. Drying water damaged areas can take as little as two days or require an extended period over the course of several weeks.
Treat the water damaged areas with a chemical biocide, like bleach, which will kill moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against using bleach to eliminate moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More, since a certain level of moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More will remain after the application.
Vinegar, however, can be successfully used to clean existing moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More from household surfaces damaged by moisture. White distilled vinegar works best. This solutionA solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substance... More is most commonly available with a 5 percent acidity level and can be used without diluting it with water.
The issues with homeowners tackling the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More problem as DIY project include timeliness and thoroughness. The homeowner must work quickly to dry and disinfect the fire damaged property before the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More have a chance to grow. MoldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More develops within 24 to 48 hours after water damage.
The fire damaged property may no longer be structurally stable, making it a dire safety risk for the homeowner to enter and quickly begin cleanup efforts. The second problem with a DIY approach is that the homeowner may overlook areas and fail to stop the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth.
Overlooking even a small area of moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth can produce unwanted results quickly. MoldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More is notorious for rapidly spreading wherever nourishment is plentiful. A homeowner will not resolve the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More problem if areas in the home are left damp, uncleaned, or not fully disinfected.
Rather than try a DIY approach, homeowners faced with moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More after fire damage can turn to fire damage restorationFire damage restoration is the process of repairing and rest... More professionals. Experienced fire damage cleanup specialists are trained and equipped to quickly and thoroughly eliminate all moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth from fire damaged properties.
MoldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More are unlikely to escape the observant eye of fire damage restoration technicians. These experts know where to look for hidden water damage and the corresponding moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth. Remember that moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More can grow in hidden places, like behind walls, under carpets, and beneath wallpaper.
When fire damage and subsequent moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth make their ugly appearance, contact moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More cleanup pros. Professional crews provide efficient mold remediation services, eliminating all existing moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More and preventing moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More from reoccurring.
RestorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More services are invaluable whenever water damage of any form strikes. Crews have quickly remediated moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More after appliances malfunctioned, water pipes burst, or natural disasters occurred. An important part of the process is to fix the water problem to stop the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More from returning.
Technicians provide comprehensive services. They test and evaluate the property for moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More, contain the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More to prevent airborne sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More from contaminating other areas, remove moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More with effective cleaners, and restore or repairRepair is the act of fixing or restoring damaged property, m... More mold-damaged items.
No property is safe for occupants when a moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More problem exists. When you work with professionals to tackle a moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More infestation, you’ll feel confident in knowing your home or business will be returned to a habitable and hygienic condition.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More, water damage, fire and smoke damage, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More, fire, smoke, and moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
