MONROE - While floodwaters in the home are unwelcome, when they leave, another unwanted guest may take its place.
Mold often lingers after waters recede, leaving homeowners with a significant mess, and health hazard, to take care of.
"Mold can cause significant health problems," said Larry Reed, deputy state coordinating officer of Wisconsin Emergency Management. "It is urgent that residents and business owners clean their homes and work environments as quickly as possible."
Suggestions for cleaning mold include:
• Have professionals check the heating and cooling ducts and wall insulation.
• All items that have touched floodwaters should be washed in a chlorine bleach solution (a cup of bleach per gallon of water).
• To aid ventilation and drying, place a fan, blowing out, in a window.
• Any items that can not be cleaned should be discarded.
• Mold areas of more than 10 feet should probably be cleaned by a professional.
Mold often lingers after waters recede, leaving homeowners with a significant mess, and health hazard, to take care of.
"Mold can cause significant health problems," said Larry Reed, deputy state coordinating officer of Wisconsin Emergency Management. "It is urgent that residents and business owners clean their homes and work environments as quickly as possible."
Suggestions for cleaning mold include:
• Have professionals check the heating and cooling ducts and wall insulation.
• All items that have touched floodwaters should be washed in a chlorine bleach solution (a cup of bleach per gallon of water).
• To aid ventilation and drying, place a fan, blowing out, in a window.
• Any items that can not be cleaned should be discarded.
• Mold areas of more than 10 feet should probably be cleaned by a professional.