Professional advice for local property owners after the big storm.

In the wake of December’s big storm, many homeowners may be sensing a musty smell in their water-damaged dwelling. Although they thought they had taken care of the problem because their home or condo appeared to be dried out, their troubles may not be over.

“Dry doesn’t stink,” said PuroClean Emergency Restoration Services Owner Mark Hoenig. “If that musty or moldy smell is showing up, something is still wet. And this long after the storm, that wet area very likely has mold.”

In the right temperature, mold can grow almost anywhere there is moisture and a food source. On Maui, the conditions are almost always mold-friendly.

According the Hoenig, after water damage has occurred, most people are only concerned with getting their carpet or floor dry. They don’t realize the water may have wicked up into the drywall, seeped under walls into adjoining rooms, or penetrated into cabinets or furniture. Carpet that feels dry may still have plenty of water in the pad underneath and walls, ceilings, or cabinets may contain excess moisture, even though they don’t feel wet to the touch.

Water damage professionals detect the presence of excess moisture using a moisture meter: an electronic instrument that measures the moisture content of drywall, wood and other materials, without harming them.

An unpleasant smell is not the only negative effect of mold, which can cause irritating, unhealthy allergens. Symptoms and health risks escalate as the length of exposure increases.

Property owners should seek professional help in dealing with mold issues. A mold hygienist or mold testing company can test for the presence of mold, and identify the type(s) of mold in the home—some are more serious than others.

If there is a significant amount of mold, it needs to be handled and removed in a way that ensures the living environment is left clean and healthy and minimizes the chances of the mold returning.

A common mistake made when attempting to remove mold is to “reach for the bleach.” Professional mold removers do not use bleach, for a number of reasons:

Although bleach kills live (active) mold, it doesn’t kill mold spores;

Bleach is completely ineffective when dry, so mold will often show up again in a week or two;

Bleach is very caustic. In addition to the fumes being unhealthy to inhale, it can ruin carpets and furniture.

Treating mold with a mixture of bleach and water can actually feed the mold, by providing it with additional moisture.

PuroClean has published a brochure for homeowners entitled Emergency Steps To Take, which advises homeowners about what to do—and not to do—in the case of mold damage. It is available free of charge at local insurance agents’ offices.

PuroClean is a Maui business that restores property damaged by water, fire, smoke and mold. For more information, visit www.PuroCleanOfMaui.com.