Response to Water Damage - Mold Prevention and Abatement Program | Environment, Health and Safety

Purpose of the Program

The purpose of this program is to describe the University's processes for safety dealing with mold and water damage from facility related floods.

University Biosafety Committee

Immediately report any facility-related flood problem to your building coordinator and the Facilities Services Customer Service Center at (415) 338-1568 or (415) 405-0579

Damage & Risk Assessment Risks

Determine the presence of any facility hazards

Determine the type of water damage sustained:

Ensure all clean-up personnel have appropriate PPE, are informed of potential hazards, and are properly trained before beginning any work. Contractors should speak with their own health and safety department before beginning any work.

Work with the building coordinator to facilitate communication with building occupants.

University Biosafety Committee

General Clean-Up Recommendations

Immediately fix the water problem by addressing the source of the moisture. Common problems include water leaks, maintenance issues, HVAC system problems, and humidity and condensation concerns.

Thoroughly inspect area to determine extent of water intrusion/damage.

Initiate cleanup and complete within 48 hours. In most cases, on-call campus custodial services can immediately provide initial cleanup (except where ACMs are damaged or impacted).

To access carpeting and flooring surfaces, it may be necessary to relocate furnishings. Ensure plastic sheeting is placed under any wet materials or furnishings are relocated to non-affected areas.

A disinfectant cleaner (indicated as a bacterial, virucidal, and fungicidal) that is safe for indoor use may be applied to affected surfaces (e.g. floors, walls, and furnishings), per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Specific Clean-up Recommendations - Clean Water Flooding

Water Damaged Materials	Actions
Books and Paper	For non-valuable items, discard books and papers Photocopy important or valuable items, discard originals Freeze in frost-free freezer or meat locker and consult with a restoration/water damage professional
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 If the piece is valuable, consult with 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

Table duplicated from Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, March 2001 (EPA 402-K-01-001).

Specific Clean-up Recommendations - Contaminated Water Flooding

Do not use fans until the area has been cleaned and disinfected

Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including rubber boots, rubber gloves, disposable splash-proof coveralls, goggles, and masks for eye, nose, and mouth splash protection (recommend N95).

Limit the spread of contaminated water.

Remove contaminated water. Contact EH&S for details.

Disinfect non-porous surfaces and discard porous articles (e.g. carpet and furniture)

Consult with EH&S before attempting to restore any materials damaged by contaminated water.

Occupants should not be allowed to re-enter the spaces until the water source is fixed and clean-up has been completed. If an occupant requires retrieval of critical item(s), coordinate the with supervisor to have response personnel retrieve and disinfect

Mold Educational Video Series

Part I: Mold, And The Steps You Can Take To Avoid Mold Growth In Your Room, Suite, or Apartment

Part II: How Temperature and Food Sources Contribute To Mold Growth

Part III: Different Types of Mold and What Action You Should Take If You Suspect Mold Is Growing In Your Space