Q: What is so dangerous about mold?
A: Mold is mainly dangerous to your health as it may cause light allergic reactions to serious illness. It is more dangerous to infants, children, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with respiratory diseases, a weakened immune system, and those who suffer from allergies. The common reactions to mold are nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, shortness of breath, wheezing, and in rare cases, mold infections.

Q: What are the basic steps to mold prevention?
A: To prevent mold from growing, you will need to keep humidity levels below 40-45 percent. Start with measuring air moisture using a humidity meter (hygrometer). To maintain adequate moisture levels, allow good air circulation and use dehumidifiers and your AC system.

Q: Does my small business need insurance?
A: Yes! Do not put your business at risk by not having insurance or not having the right kind of coverage. Without adequate insurance, a fire or water related damage could destroy your business financially.

Q: Who is eligible for flood insurance?
A: Homes, condos, apartments, renters and business structures are eligible.

Q: Why do I need liability insurance?
A: Liability insurance protects your current and future assets in case you are responsible for injury to another person or damage to another person's property if an incident occurred within your rented unit. Renters insurance may also provide legal defense costs.

Q: Doesn't federal disaster assistance pay for flood damage?
A: Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President declares a disaster. Even when a disaster is declared, federal assistance is provided as a loan that you must pay back with interest. Flood insurance, will cover damages even if a disaster is not declared.

Q: How can I safely inspect my house after water damage?
A: Dangers are not over when the water goes down. Do not endanger yourself or your family after a water event. Keep children and pets away. Try to protect yourself and your family from stress, fatigue, and water-related health hazards.

Follow these basic safety rules:

• Determine Structural Stability
• Cut off power supply
• Turn off water supply
• Turn off gas supply
• Beware of animals
• Use protective gear

Q: What are the best ways to secure my property after water related damage?
A: Lock and secure your property when not occupied to prevent looting. Keep in mind that alarms may malfunction if the electricity or telephone service has been interrupted.

Q: How can I know if I have water damage in the kitchen?
A: The following are typical signs of water damage in the kitchen:

Leaks under the sink, slow draining pipes, cracked tile or missing grout, soft or stained walls and floors, leaks under and around the base of the dishwasher, and moisture behind the refrigerator.

Q: What are the recommended tests for a sump pump?
A: There are 3 steps to a sump pump test:

1. Check the outlet pipe to make sure it is not clogged or frozen. Follow the pipe and confirm that water are directed away from the property.
2. Check that the pump is clean. Plug in the pump and remove the lid (if there is one). Use a flashlight and look into the pump and see that the inlet pipe is clean and free flowing.
3. Test the pump by pouring at least 5 gallons of water and pumping it out. Be sure to pour the water in a way that will simulate the average flow into the pump. Force the pump to turn on and off 2-3 times and watch the action of the on/off switch while listening to the pump.

Q: My books where soaked in water. How can I salvage them?
A: Assuming your books were soaked in clean water for less than 24 hours and mold is not present, you will have to start by prioritizing salvage order: collection books and valuable books must be dried before all other books. The best method for paper drying is freezing. Insert the books into plastic bags and place in the freezer. To prevent pages from adhering to each other, place a baking sheet every 20-30 pages.

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