The Aftermath: Recovering From a Hurricane
TAMPA, Fla., October 5, 2017 (Newswire.com) - With the recent devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria, many people across the United States and Caribbean are trying to recover from the wreckage. For those who have homes to return to, cleanup can be a nightmare and be emotionally and physically dangerous.
Many homeowners are returning to homes that have been flooded or have flood related damages. A flood is one of the most traumatic things someone can ever experience as a homeowner. According to FEMA, you do not need to wait for an insurance adjuster or FEMA inspector to begin cleanup to your flood damaged home. Before you begin it is advised that you take photos of the outside and inside of your home, including personal property.
Failure to properly clean up after your house floods can create perfect conditions for mold to grow," said Ken Judd, Vice President of Eva-Dry. "It is a smart idea to use dehumidifiers to help keep humidity controlled throughout your home and prevent mold and mildew both during and after the clean-up.
Ken Judd, Vice President
Regarding homeowner’s insurance, this will vary depending on what policies you have, but many insurance companies cover flooding due to storms, backed-up city sewers and storm drains, or burst pipes. The insurance company will send an adjuster to look at and assess the damage and determine if it is a covered loss. Once the flood water is gone and you have called your insurance company, it’s time to begin post-flood clean-up. You can call in a professional clean-up crew or begin work yourself. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends wearing gloves and other protective equipment in post-flood conditions, including respirators and goggles.
If you have flood water in your home, removing the water is crucial. This can be done using utility pumps for water removal or wet/dry vacuums. Please note, never enter a flooded space unless you are sure the electricity is turned off. After water has been removed from your home, dampness may persist. This can lead to mold, mildew and musty odors. Dehumidifiers can help keep the air at a comfortable humidity and prevent mold and mildew from growing.
Depending on the severity of the flooding, you may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent mold and mildew from spreading in your home. Furniture may also need to be cleaned or thrown away depending on the level of water damage. In cases like this, calling a professional company that specializes in mold removal may be advised. Mold can begin developing within the first 24 hours after a flood, and once it has started growing it can be difficult to fully remove. For mild mold issues, a bleach solution can be used to remove mold from hard surfaces. Be sure to wear protective gloves, masks, and goggles when cleaning mold.
"Failure to properly clean up after your house floods can create perfect conditions for mold to grow," said Ken Judd, Vice President of Eva-Dry. "It is a smart idea to use dehumidifiers to help keep humidity controlled throughout your home and prevent mold and mildew both during and after the clean-up."
Eva-Dry has been on the leading edge of dehumidification technology in the U.S. for the past decade, and won an industry award for the EDV-4000. They are committed to developing environmentally friendly, safe, non-toxic, and spill-proof dehumidification units in all sizes and for all applications including your home. For more details about how to protect yourself from the dangers of storm-damaged homes visit https://www.fema.gov.
About Eva Dry Dehumidifiers
Since 2003, Eva-Dry compact dehumidifiers have earned their reputation as the safest, healthiest and most efficient method to reduce ambient moisture by providing a higher absorption rate than alternate disposable dehumidifying products. The compact, renewable Eva-Dry units reduce humidity to fight mold, moisture and mildew in homes, boats, RVs, safes, and other valuable item storage. Visit http://www.eva-dry.com, or call (877) 382-3790 for more information.
Source: Eva-Dry