Contaminated
floors, walls and any other surfaces should be properly
disinfected for at least 15 minutes with a chlorine solution of
one cup of laundry bleach per gallon of water. Caution should be
taken not to mix any other cleaning agents with the chlorine
solution. Also, use proper personal protection (rubber gloves,
goggles, proper ventilation). It is also important to refer to the
material safety data sheet (MSDS) for more detail in personal
protection.
Eliminate
or correct the water problems or leaks associated with any
existing source of water damage. Carpets, rugs, furniture, and any
other items with absorbent material must be removed and discarded
if not thoroughly dried within twenty-four hours. Keep humidity
below 40%.
Stained
ceiling tiles, carpet or wall board should be fully replaced. All
accumulated residue should be removed from the area including
corners, edges of the floors, and under and around fixtures. Use
HEPA (high efficiency particulate vacuums) vacuum machines for
dust control and removal.
During
clean up activities only those individuals doing the clean up
should be in the home. During all clean up activities a
tight-fitting respirator with HEPA filters (see picture below) and
goggles should be worn. Rubber or vinyl gloves and waterproof
boots should also be worn during all phases of the clean up. Open
all windows for drying and ventilation.
Moist conditions in heating and air conditioning ducts can promote
fungal growth
DO wear a
respirator so you don't breathe in fungal dust
DON'T wear dust masks, they won't protect you from fungal
dust
Use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. Standard household
and shop vacuum cleaners are not effective at removing fungal dust.
CHEMICAL
MILDEW INHIBITORS:
There
is no true mildewcide no product that will kill mildew and
guarantee it will not return. Chemical mildew inhibitors should be
used with caution, as they are toxic to people and animals.
Cleaning
agents that claim to remove mildew most often have a chlorine
component. Chlorine both kills mildew and bleaches the darkened
mildew filament. However, when such products are used, some
scrubbing and rinsing are required to remove the mildew and soil
residue. Otherwise, as soon as humidity and temperature conditions
are right, mildew will use the residue as a substrate to grow on. A
new supply of mildew spores is always floating in the air waiting
for the right conditions. Commercial fungicidal products in
pressurized cans provide some mildew protection. Check the label on
the container to see what it claims to do and for instruction on how
to use it safely and effectively.
AIR
TREATMENT:
Air
Conditioners. Air conditioners remove moisture from the air as
the air is cooled. Air is blown over cooling coils, and since cool
air can't hold as much moisture, some of this moisture condenses on
the coils and runs to a drain. The heat absorbed from the air by the
air conditioner is carried by a refrigerant to coils outside the
house where the heat is released.
The
longer an air conditioner is operated, the greater the amount of
moisture that will be removed. An air conditioner unit too large for
the area it cools might not operate long enough to remove enough
moisture. Even though the home is cool, enough moisture can remain
to produce mildew in areas with little air movement. Unfortunately,
energy efficient air conditioners may not reduce humidity
effectively enough for homes in warm, humid climates.
When
air conditioning during humid weather, do not set the air
conditioner fan to run continuously. This will cause moisture just
removed by the cooling coils to be put back into the air, therefore,
keeping the air more humid
