By: http://www.epa.gov/mold/table1.html

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Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

Table 1: Water Damage - Cleanup and Mold Prevention

Table 1 presents strategies to respond to water damage within 24-48 hours. These guidelines are designed to help avoid the need for remediation of mold growth by taking quick action before growth starts. If mold growth is found on the materials listed in Table 1, refer to Table 2 for guidance on remediation. Depending on the size of the area involved and resources available, professional assistance may be needed to dry an area quickly and thoroughly.
An Adobe Acrobat PDF version of this table is available here (PDF, 1 page, 209 K, about PDF)
Go to Table 2 | Go back to Investigating, Evaluating, and Remediating Moisture and Mold Problems

Water-Damaged Material †	Actions
Books and papers	For non-valuable items, discard books and papers. Photocopy valuable/important items, discard originals. Freeze (in frost-free freezer or meat locker) or freeze-dry.
Carpet and backing - dry within 24-48 hours §	Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Reduce ambient humidity levels with dehumidifier. Accelerate drying process with fans.
Ceiling tiles	Discard and replace.
Cellulose insulation	Discard and replace.
Concrete or cinder block surfaces	Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters.
Fiberglass insulation	Discard and replace.
Hard surface, porous flooring § (Linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl)	Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary. Check to make sure underflooring is dry; dry underflooring if necessary.
Non-porous, hard surfaces(Plastics, metals)	Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary.
Upholstered furniture	Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters. May be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours. If the piece is valuable, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage professional who specializes in furniture.
Wallboard (Drywall and gypsum board)	May be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replace. Ventilate the wall cavity, if possible.
Window drapes	Follow laundering or cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer.
Wood surfaces	Remove moisture immediately and use dehumidifiers, gentle heat, and fans for drying. (Use caution when applying heat to hardwood floors.) Treated or finished wood surfaces may be cleaned with mild detergent and clean water and allowed to dry. Wet paneling should be pried away from wall for drying.

*

If mold growth has occurred or materials have been wet for more than 48 hours, consult Table 2 guidelines. Even if materials are dried within 48 hours, mold growth may have occurred. Items may be tested by professionals if there is doubt. Note that mold growth will not always occur after 48 hours; this is only a guideline. These guidelines are for damage caused by clean water. If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then Personal Protective Equipment and containment are required by OSHA. An experienced professional should be consulted if you and/or your remediators do not have expertise remediating in contaminated water situations. Do not use fans before determining that the water is clean or sanitary.

†

If a particular item(s) has high monetary or sentimental value, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage specialist.

§

The subfloor under the carpet or other flooring material must also be cleaned and dried. See the appropriate section of this table for recommended actions depending on the composition of the subfloor.

How can I protect myself from a flood?

By: http://m.fema.gov/fl_after.htm

Shared: Elite Water Damage Restoration, Inc.

Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

However, all floods are not alike. Some floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. But flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away most things in its path. Overland flooding occurs outside a defined river or stream, such as when a levee is breached, but still can be destructive. Flooding can also occur when a dam breaks, producing effects similar to flash floods.

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry stream beds, or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood. Every state is at risk from this hazard.

To prepare for a flood, you should:

• Avoid building in a flood prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
• Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
• Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
• Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams, flood walls) to stop floodwater from entering the homes in your area.
• Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage

During a Flood

If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or television for information.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

• Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:

• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If flood waters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

Driving Flood Facts

The following are important points to remember when driving in flood conditions:

• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
• A foot of water will float many vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.

After a Flood

The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
  
• Avoid flood waters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  
• Avoid moving water.
  
• Be aware of areas where flood waters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
  
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
  
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
  
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by flood waters.
  
• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
  
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
  
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

Pumping Out a Flooded Basement

By: http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml#B
Shared: Elite Water Damage Restoration, Inc.

Pumping Out a Flooded Basement

If your basement is flooded, don’t rush to pump it out. Water in the ground outside your house is pushing against the outside of your basement walls, and the water inside is pushing right back. If you drain your basement too quickly, the pressure outside the walls will be greater than the pressure inside, which may cause the basement floor and walls to crack and collapse.

How to Safely Pump Water Out of Your Basement:

• Never go into a flooded basement unless you know the electricity is off.
• For insurance purposes, take pictures of your basement before beginning any work.
• When the water is no longer covering the ground around the perimeter of your house, you can begin pumping the water from your basement.
  • CAUTION: Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors as
    they produce deadly carbon monoxide exhaust fumes.
• Pump the water level down 2 to 3 feet, mark the water level, and wait overnight.
• Check the water level the next day. If the water went back up and covered your mark, it is too early to drain your basement.
• Wait another 24 hours. Pump the water down 2 to 3 feet again, and check the water level the next day.
• When the water stops rising, pump the level down another 2 to 3 feet and wait overnight. Repeat the above steps until all the water is pumped out of the basement.

What to Do After Draining Your Basement:

• Shovel out as much mud as you can as quickly as possible. The mud left behind by floodwaters poses a health hazard, and it is a lot easier to remove before it dries out.
• Hose off the walls and floors with clean water and then disinfect them with a solution of 1 ½ cups of liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of fresh water.

CAUTION: NEVER mix bleach and ammonia cleaning products. This will produce deadly chlorine gas!

• Remove the vents or registers of heating and air conditioning ducts, the wall covers for wall switches and outlets that were flooded. Clean and disinfect them as above.
• All flexible ducting, including dryer connections, must be replaced for health protection.
• Check your water system, including drains and utility connections, for leaks, breaks, and loose fittings.
• Have your water supply checked for any contamination. This service may be provided by your local health department.
• Before turning on the electricity, check your incoming electrical service for any damage. Replace any wiring, switches and/or outlets that were submerged or got wet during the flood. This may require the services of a professional.

When levee designations change

By floodsmart govShared by http://www.elitewaterdamage.com/Follow us on twitter and facebook

Levees reduce the risk of flooding, but they don't eliminate it. With more serious floods, they can be overtopped or even fail. For this reason flood insurance is recommended for any property located near a levee.

Over time, the level of protection a levee provides can change. Hundreds of leveesacross the country no longer meet federal standards for protection against major floods. When new flood maps are issued, areas near these de-accredited levees will be shown as high-risk flood zones, and homeowners will be required by most lenders to have flood insurance.

When levees have been constructed or improved to meet federal standards, flood maps show these as accredited levees. Flood insurance isn't required unless other risk factors are present, but it is strongly recommended. Still other levees are under review, and are shown as Provisionally Accredited Levees while further documentation takes place. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for all areas near levees, as flood damage can be catastrophic.

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Tips from the EPA.gov

Hard surface flooring (such as linoleum, ceramic tile, and vinyl) should be vacuumed or damp wiped with a mild detergent and allowed to dry. They should be scrubbed clean, if necessary. If the under-flooring is wet, it should be dried using a vacuum or by exposing it to the air. Non-porous, hard surfaces such as plastics and metals should be vacuumed or damp wiped with water and mild detergent, then allowed to dry. Scrubbing may be necessary to thoroughly clean the surfaces. Water should be removed from upholstered furniture with a water-extraction vacuum. Fans, dehumidifiers, and heaters may be used to accelerate the drying process. Completely drying upholstered furniture within 48 hours may be difficult, so if the piece is valuable, you may consider consulting a restoration or water-damage professional who specializes in furniture.