Mold

Floods and Mold Growth

Floods/Flooding

Mold growth may be a problem after flooding. Excess moisture in the home is cause for concern about indoor air quality primarily because it provides breeding conditions for pests, molds and other microorganisms.

EPA's Fact Sheet Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems discusses steps to take when cleaning and repairing a home after flooding to avoid creating indoor air quality problems during cleanup. U.S. EPA, EPA Document Number 402-F-93-005, August 1993.

For more information on Flood Cleanup see:

Flood Cleanup Effects on Indoor Air Quality

Replacing your flooring after a flood: If you are repairing your home or building after a flood or hurricane, to prevent mold growth you should be sure your foundation is dry before you replace the flooring. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) issued a standard which describes an easy way to check if your concrete slab is dry enough to replace the flooring. The basic approach is to fasten the edges of a clear piece of plastic sheeting to a concrete slab, and wait for approximately 16 hours. If moisture is visible on the plastic sheeting, it is still too wet to replace the flooring. For more details, visit the ASTM standard below:

ASTM's Standard Test Method for Indicating Moisture in Concrete by the Plastic Sheet Method Exit

Additional Flood Resources:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
(800) 480-2520
See Flood Information
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Emergency Preparedness and Response page
- Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Developments Post-Disaster Recovery Resources