HURRICANE RESOURCE CENTER

1. Take Photos and Videos: Document all damage to your home and belongings. Insurance companies may require this for claims.

2. Professional Mold Assessment: Have a licensed mold assessor conduct an inspection. This will help you get mold coverage from your insurance.

3. Site Assessment: Inspect the affected area to identify moisture sources and the extent of mold contamination.

4. Moisture Mapping: Use moisture meters and infrared cameras to track areas of moisture intrusion.

5. Mold Sampling: Perform air and surface tests to determine the types and levels of mold present.

6. Remediation Protocol: Create a detailed plan based on the assessment. This will be crucial if you need to justify the actions you take to your insurance company.

Protect Yourself: Wear at least an N95 mask, gloves, goggles, and a full Tyvek suit. Ideally, a full-face respirator should be used for maximum protection.

1. Turn Off HVAC Systems: Do not turn on your air conditioning or heating system. Mold spores will spread through your ducts and circulate throughout your home. Keep the system off until it’s professionally cleaned and inspected.

2. Isolate Contaminated Areas: Use plastic sheeting to seal off any contaminated rooms. This will help prevent mold from spreading to unaffected areas.

If there’s still water in your home:

• Use a Pump or Wet/Dry Vacuum: Safely remove any standing water. Ensure it is drained away from the foundation to avoid further damage.

1. Sort Belongings:

   •  a. Non-Porous Items: Items like glass, plastic, and metal can be cleaned and disinfected.

   •  b. Porous Items: Unfortunately, most porous items that have been exposed to black water or mold should be discarded. Some fabrics may be salvageable with professional cleaning.

2. Store Safely: Place any salvageable items in a dry, mold-free environment to prevent further contamination.

1. Do Not Use Regular Fans: While it might seem tempting to use fans, they will spread mold spores into the air. Instead, rent or buy industrial-grade dehumidifiers to reduce moisture in the air.

2. Dehumidification: Keep the humidity level below 50%, ideally closer to 30%, to speed up drying and slow mold growth.

3. Negative Air Pressure: Set up negative air machines with HEPA filters to create a controlled airflow, removing contaminated air and replacing it with clean air. This helps reduce the presence of mold spores, bacteria, and toxins.

• Non-Porous Materials: Surfaces like tile, glass, or metal can be cleaned using a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide or Vital Oxide. Ensure the area is completely dry afterward to prevent mold regrowth.

• Porous Materials: Carpets, drywall, insulation, and cabinets that have been soaked in black water should be removed and discarded. These materials cannot be fully sanitized and will likely continue harboring mold.

• Conduct Gross demolition following proper procedures.  Conduct Gross Cleanup. Debris should be placed in a 6 mil poly bag that has been cleaned and goose necked, if discarding through occupied space, before exiting containment.

• Wood: Clean wooden structures with mold-killing products, but do not sand the wood—this will release dust and contaminants. Use 6% hydrogen peroxide or Vital Oxide to dissolve mold from the wood.

Mold spores and toxins can spread through your HVAC system, contaminating your entire home. Here’s what to do:

1. Keep the HVAC System Off: Do not turn it on until the system has been thoroughly inspected.

2. Hire Professionals: Contact a licensed duct cleaning company, like Real Duct Cleaning out of Clearwater. Ensure they use HEPA vacuums and proper sanitizing tools. Beware of low-cost specials—they often don’t provide thorough cleaning.

3. Consider Full Replacement: In severe cases, you may need to replace the entire HVAC system. Contaminated ducts can continue to release mold spores even after cleaning.

1. HEPA Vacuuming: Once contaminated materials are removed, use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean up mold spores and debris. Do not use regular vacuums as they can spread spores back into the air.

2. Wipe Down: Clean entire containment with Contact Wet Wiping using a cleaning agent. Ideally use a Natural, Green, or Enzymatic product. This should be performed in a detailed manner. 

3. Another Round of Detailed HEPA vacuuming of the entire impacted area.

4. Fogging: Consider fogging the affected area with an EPA registered fogging to kill any remaining airborne mold spores and bacteria.

5. A protectant coating may be added at this stage. Assessor might want to inspect the area prior to any coating being applied. Coating, sealants and encapsulates should not be used to cover up mold or be allowed to trap in moisture.

1. Final Testing: After cleanup, conduct post-remediation testing to confirm that mold levels are safe. Hire a third-party inspector for unbiased clearance.

2. Rebuild and Protect: After cleaning, you can begin rebuilding. Consider applying mold-resistant coatings to walls and other surfaces to prevent future growth.

3. Monitor for Future Problems: Use humidity monitors and smart sensors to keep track of moisture levels. Fix leaks and address humidity issues immediately to prevent mold from returning.