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Wet basements in Philadelphia are very common!

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A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home

Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips by EPA.GOV

• When water leaks or spills occur indoors -ACT QUICKLY.  If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
   
• Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
   
• Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
   
• Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
   
• Keep indoor humidity low.  If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity.  Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, a small, inexpensive ($10-$50) instrument available at many hardware stores.
   
• If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source.  Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.

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Before a Flood and Water Damage

Elite Water Damage and Restoration

What would you do if your property suffered water damage from a flood? Are you prepared?Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States, however not all floods are alike. Some floods develop slowly, while others such a flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water carrying rocks, mud and other debris. Overland flooding, the most common type of flooding event typically occurs when waterways such as rivers or streams overflow their banks as a result of rainwater or a possible levee breach and cause flooding in surrounding areas. It can also occur when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the capacity of underground pipes, or the capacity of streets and drains designed to carry flood water away from urban areas. Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live or work, but especially if you are in low-lying areas, near water, behind a levee or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood.

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This is an EPA.Gov  article about where to find help for Philadelphia Water Damage.

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Mold and Moisture left over from water damage in homes located in Philadelphia PA19107

• Mold and Moisture
• Mold Remediation ...
• Water Damageable 

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

Water Damage - Cleanup and Mold Prevention

Table 1 presents strategies to respond to water damage within 24-48 hours. These guidelines are designed to help avoid the need for remediation of mold growth by taking quick action before growth starts. If mold growth is found on the materials listed in Table 1, refer to Table 2 for guidance on remediation. Depending on the size of the area involved and resources available, professional assistance may be needed to dry an area quickly and thoroughly.

An Adobe Acrobat PDF version of this table is available here (PDF, 1 page, 209 K, about PDF)
Go to Table 2 | Go back to Investigating, Evaluating, and Remediating Moisture and Mold Problems

Water-Damaged Material †	Actions
Books and papers	For non-valuable items, discard books and papers. Photocopy valuable/important items, discard originals. Freeze (in frost-free freezer or meat locker) or freeze-dry.
Carpet and backing - dry within 24-48 hours §	Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Reduce ambient humidity levels with dehumidifier. Accelerate drying process with fans.
Ceiling tiles	Discard and replace.
Cellulose insulation	Discard and replace.
Concrete or cinder block surfaces	Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters.
Fiberglass insulation	Discard and replace.
Hard surface, porous flooring § (Linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl)	Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary. Check to make sure underflooring is dry; dry underflooring if necessary.
Non-porous, hard surfaces (Plastics, metals)	Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary.
Upholstered furniture	Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters. May be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours. If the piece is valuable, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage professional who specializes in furniture.
Wallboard (Drywall and gypsum board)	May be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replace. Ventilate the wall cavity, if possible.
Window drapes	Follow laundering or cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer.
Wood surfaces	Remove moisture immediately and use dehumidifiers, gentle heat, and fans for drying. (Use caution when applying heat to hardwood floors.) Treated or finished wood surfaces may be cleaned with mild detergent and clean water and allowed to dry. Wet paneling should be pried away from wall for drying.

* If mold growth has occurred or materials have been wet for more than 48 hours, consult Table 2 guidelines. Even if materials are dried within 48 hours, mold growth may have occurred. Items may be tested by professionals if there is doubt. Note that mold growth will not always occur after 48 hours; this is only a guideline.

These guidelines are for damage caused by clean water. If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then Personal Protective Equipment and containment are required by OSHA. An experienced professional should be consulted if you and/or your remediators do not have expertise remediating in contaminated water situations. Do not use fans before determining that the water is clean or sanitary.

† If a particular item(s) has high monetary or sentimental value, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage specialist.

§ The subfloor under the carpet or other flooring material must also be cleaned and dried. See the appropriate section of this table for recommended actions depending on the composition of the subfloor.

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