Mold Hazards Following Water Damage in the Built Environment

Water damage can easily destroy building materials, furnishings, and belongings. It will also often result in the growth of mold, not to mention other contaminants that may have been introduced with the water. Unfortunately, these frequently include sewage and even chemicals.

When one of these events occurs, the property damage can range from minor to a total loss. Recognizing this fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a guidance document to help property owners and renters deal with mold cleanup after a flooding event.

Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup after Disasters provides helpful information about some of the hazards people may encounter after a flood, and tips to protect those faced with mold and cleaning up the damage. It states that drying a property and removing water-damaged items is the most important step in preventing mold damage. If a property is flooded, and it, along with furnishings and other possessions, are not dried out within 24 to 48 hours, mold growth should be assumed. The mold may be visible and there may be a moldy odor, but it may also be hidden under or behind items like carpets, cushions, walls, and many other building materials and furnishings.

“In many cases involving water damage, assessing and remediating a property should be handled by experienced professionals, as the government agencies behind this guidance document warn that the job may be too difficult or dangerous,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “Building owners, landlords, facility managers, and others concerned about exposure to mold or other indoor environmental quality issues can turn to the experts at CTSI. We have decades of experience providing building inspections, testing, monitoring, and training resources. Our building science and industrial hygiene professionals also offer remediation oversight and post-remediation verification assessments to help ensure any mold or other contamination issues that were found are correctly addressed.”

To learn more about this or other environmental, health, and safety resources, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com, or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered by CTSI’s reputation for fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself on utilizing a high-quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail