Flooding can cause serious damage to your home, whether it's structural damage or damage to your home's possessions. However, those aren't the only issues associated with flooding.
The air quality of the home has to be considered as well, since this can be greatly affected by flooding. The following are a few tips for dealing with potential indoor air quality problems in a flooded home.
- Remove water " While this may seem obvious, removing standing water should be one of the first things that you do. Standing water tends to become a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can quickly become airborne and breathed in by residents. Floodwater also often contains sewage, disease or even decaying animals, making it even more unhealthy to breathe in.
- Open windows " You want to get as much fresh air circulating through your house as possible while cleaning up, especially since you'll be using cleaning supplies. Disinfectants and sanitizers often contain toxic substances, which could lead to serious issues if inhaled.
- Asbestos " If you know that parts of your home contain asbestos, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's TSCA Assistance Information Service. When asbestos is disturbed, it can become airborne, in which case it becomes quite dangerous.
For more information about taking precautions against indoor air quality problems in a flooded home, contact us at Rytech Inc. Our water damage specialists provide expertise and quality service in 17 states across the U.S.
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