How to Stop Mold

NBC Bay Area Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura explains how to prevent mold and how to stop mold from growing further after weather damage.

Mold can grow quickly after a rainstorm or flood – within 24 to 48 hours, according to FEMA.
The Insurance Information Institute says a mold outbreak can destroy your home if it’s left unchecked.

A brief list of what you might need includes:
- A bucket
- An N95-style mask / respirator
- Gloves
- Soap / detergent
- Bleach (especially if dirt and mud got inside your home)

FEMA has created a PDF that might help you, step by step.

Don’t expect your homeowners or renters insurance to pay for flood-related mold damage.
The III says typical policies likely will not pay for flood repairs.

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Realistically you have to gut anything with mold since it will grow underneath the surface but most don’t do that due to the ridiculous cost of a gut renovation. You can do a surface clean and dry, but the damage is done such as rotted wood.