Home Insurance and Ways To Avoid Mold After Extensive Water Damage

​If you live in an area where there’s significant flooding, you must be ready for anything. Keep in mind that even an inch of flood indoors can cause severe damage. If you don’t act fast, you could be dealing with a more complicated problem: mold. Here are ways to prevent mold after your home has suffered extreme water damage.

Dry The Affected Areas ASAP
The longer you let water sit, the more complicated your repair will be. If it's safe, clear water within two days. As soon as the rain stops, check every area of your home for leaks or flooding. After identifying the flooded rooms, commence cleaning and drying. 

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove water and use fans to dry the area up. If the flooding is extensive, consider hiring a professional to help you out. Don’t forget to dry your carpets as wet and moist carpets are perfect places where mold can grow. 

Include The Exterior Part Of Your Home
Any water outside your home may still seep in. If there's any damage to the roof, windows, doors, and walls, it is also likely water can move in. Inspect the exterior of your home for molds. Have grades and downspouts repaired or maintained to avoid roof water from moving indoors.  

Sanitize All Damaged Areas
Aside from removing water and drying your home, take time sanitizing all affected items by flooding. Sanitizing everything will help prevent the growth of molds as well. Use a steam cleaner to sanitize carpets, sofas, curtains, and hardwood floors. For other surfaces, use bleach to sanitize and kill germs and molds fast.  

Use A Dehumidifier 
After water damage, your home will likely have moist areas, and these can dramatically increase humidity indoors. Molds grow in damp and high humidity areas, and therefore you must reduce humidity using a dehumidifier.  

Use a portable dehumidifier. Open windows and doors and let air and sunlight in. You can also ask a professional contractor to help you dry, dehumidify, and prevent molds in your home.  

After your home insurance claim has been approved, you can start throwing away anything that's not usable anymore. Electronics, furniture, and clothing that are beyond any repair should be thrown away properly. Consult a home insurance company for the best coverage if your area is prone to flooding. 

At Cornerstone Insurance, we put our clients first by offering them policies that they can afford. Having insurance is a necessity nowadays and we're here to help you out. Learn more about our products and services by calling our agency at (888) 661-8831. You can also request a free quote by CLICKING HERE.