Microbes and Water Damages

9/3/2019 (Permalink)

Molds have received increased attention in the water restoration industry. Water damages offer opportunities for molds to grow and multiply, since moisture and humidity levels are increased in a structure that has had a water damage. Conditions that encourage mold growth are:

• Food source. Molds feed on organic materials in a structure, such as wood, paper drywall, insulation, natural fibers, and indoor dirt that often has organic matter in it.
• Temperature. The common molds found in buildings generally grow best in typical building temperatures between 68 and 86 degrees. Some molds can grow at very cold or very hot temperatures.
• Moisture. Most molds need lots of moisture, but some molds can survive in relative humidities as low as 65%. These molds are particular problem to the restoration industry. To reduce mold growth, indoor relative humidity should be maintained below 60%.

Molds can germinate in a warm, moist environment where a food source is present. How fast growth occurs depends on the combination of conditions. Spores can begin to grow after only 12 hours in some conditions and some can grow into colonies in 24-48 hours. Houses offer a large food supply- drywall, wood, insulation, indoor dirt, and paper. When these materials become damp or wet, settled spores can become growing molds.

Microbes Amplify with Passing Time

Microbes can potentially get worse as a water-damage intrusion is allowed to dwell. Since microbes are present in any water damage- whether clean, gray, or black water- they can grow and cause one water damage category to deteriorate to a more contaminated category. For instance, a clean water can become gray water in a matter of days. How fast a situation deteriorates depends on factors such as the amount of water intruding the structure and the temperature and humidity within the environment. The longer water is allowed to dwell, the more likely microbes will grow and contaminate the environment.

Heath Risks for Humans

People may get sick when microbes grow and multiply to abnormal levels in an indoor environment. Some microbes may make you sick when they enter your body. They may enter your body by:

• Breathing them
• Swallowing them
• Absorbing them through the skin

Health risks also increase as a situation moves from a clean water loss to gray water or black water loss. PPE will help block microbes from reaching your body. Wear respirators, gloves, googles, and appropriate clothing to prevent infection.

At- Risk Persons

Some people get sick from microbes more easily than others do:

• Young children. The immune system of very young children is not developed enough to combat microorganisms.
• Immune suppressed or compromised persons. People are "immune compromised" when their immune systems are weakened so their natural immune responses become suppressed. Immune-compromised persons include:
• Elderly
• Persons recovering from illnesses, hospital stays & surgeries.
• Cancer patients
• Transplant recipients
• Persons with HIV
• Asthma patients