Do you know how to protect your health from mold and other contaminants to safely reenter your home after a flood?

Floodwater carries bacteria, sewage, and organic material into homes. When this water soaks into walls, carpets, and furniture, it creates the perfect environment for mold spores to thrive. Mold needs moisture, warmth, and organic material to grow—and a flooded home provides all three. Even areas that appear dry on the surface can harbor mold growth underneath. Drywall, insulation, and subflooring can trap moisture for weeks. This hidden mold is often harder to detect but can spread throughout a home if left untreated. Even if you don’t see mold when you return to your home, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends assuming mold is present if the house was closed up for several days. Mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours.

Follow these steps to safely handle mold.

1. Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before entering or cleaning, put on protective gear to avoid inhaling spores or touching contaminated surfaces:

• N95 respirator: Wear a tightly fitted N95 mask (or higher) to protect your lungs.
• Goggles: Choose goggles without ventilation holes to keep mold out of your eyes.
• Gloves: Use heavy-duty rubber or protective gloves.
• Clothing: Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and waterproof or rubber boots.

2. Air Out and Dry the House

• Ventilate: Enter briefly to open all doors and windows. Let the house air out for at least 30 minutes before staying inside for any length of time.
• Position fans strategically: Once an electrician confirms the power is safe, use fans and dehumidifiers. Place fans facing outward near windows or doors to blow mold spores out of the house rather than deeper inside.
• Inspect the HVAC system: Do not turn on your heating or air conditioning if it was flooded. Have a professional check and clean the system first so it does not blow mold throughout your entire home.

3. Discard Porous Materials (“When in Doubt, Take it Out”)

• Toss soaked items: Remove everything that cannot be completely cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours.
• High-risk items: Discard drywall, insulation, carpets, carpet padding, upholstered furniture, mattresses, stuffed animals, and ceiling tiles. Mold penetrates porous items deeply, making surface cleaning impossible.
• Document for insurance: Take detailed photos of all damaged items before moving them outside.

4. Clean Hard Surfaces Safely

• Scrub non-porous materials: Clean hard objects (like concrete, metal, and plastic) with soap and hot water, or a commercial cleaner.
• Sanitize with bleach: For mold caused by floodwaters, scrub the surface using a mixture of 1 cup of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
• NEVER mix cleaners: Do not combine bleach with ammonia or any other household cleaners. Mixing them creates deadly, toxic gases.
• Do not paint over mold: Painting or caulking over mold will not stop it from growing. Fix the moisture problem and clean the mold entirely before refinishing.

When to Call a Professional

The CDC warns that if the mold covers a large area—specifically more than 10 square feet—or has penetrated deep into your walls or ductwork, you should hire a professional mold remediation specialist to remove it safely. Children, pets, and anyone with asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system must stay away from the home until the cleanup is fully complete.