Flooding – The Danger From Mould And Asbestos

Flooding is dominating the headlines lately, from the catastrophic floods on the Texas coast to Western Ontario and other places across the globe. The devastation of a flood itself is bad enough, but once people return to their homes and businesses to try and clean up and begin their lives again, there are other threats to be faced, including asbestos and mould.

Asbestos
If your home was built before the mid-1980s, there is a good chance that it contains asbestos in one form or another. That most often includes asbestos mixed with other materials, and it can show up virtually anywhere in your home, including,

• Floor tiles;
• Ceiling tiles (often called “acoustic ceiling tiles”);
• Wall panels;
• Textured paints;
• Popcorn ceilings;
• Attic and pipe insulation;
• Window and door caulking;
• And more!

While asbestos containing materials or ACM are considered safe as long as they are intact, a flood can damage the materials it is mixed with, leaving the asbestos to dry into inhalable fibers.

Mould
Flood waters are often contaminated with sewer water, or other substances that it has picked up from the ground, including poisons, microbes, and chemicals. Even the cleanest water, however, can spark the growth of mould within a mere 48 hours.

Any area that remains wet or moist for 48 hours or more can be prime ground for mould infestation – and mould does love to eat cellulose based materials such as carpeting and even drywall.

• Drying out the area thoroughly is the first priority – fans and general ventilation are essential in that regard.
• Removing any items that are wet and not likely to be remediated, which probably includes carpeting and other textiles.

Those measures are a good rule of thumb to begin with, but depending on how quickly you can get back into the area to assess damage and begin the clean-up process, it may not be enough.

Once mould has set in, simple cleaning alone won’t get rid of it. You need help.

We Can Help
If you are experiencing the result of flooding, or are dealing with mould and/or asbestos in your home, we can help. You can trust the experienced mould removal experts, asbestos removal experts and asbestos remediation experts at Green Stream Environmental to take care of your environmental issues. In the Toronto area contact Environmental at (416) 818-9414. Contact us for a quote today.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414. You’ll be glad you did.