Hurricane Prep Checklist to Reduce Mold Risk After a Storm

When people picture hurricane damage they think of missing roofs and storm surge. In practice, much of the mold that follows a South Florida storm starts smaller: rain driven under a door, a roof that lost a few shingles, a window that leaked for six hours, followed by several days with no power and no air conditioning. You cannot control the storm, but a good deal of that moisture risk can be reduced with preparation done days and months ahead.

Early in the season: fix how water gets in

These are best handled before a storm is on the forecast, when contractors are available.

• Have the roof looked at, including flashing, vents and any earlier patches.
• Clean gutters and downspouts, and make sure they discharge away from the foundation.
• Renew cracked caulk around windows, doors and wall penetrations. Clear window weep holes.
• Replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps, especially on doors facing the prevailing wind.
• Trim trees and remove dead limbs that could puncture the roof.
• Check that balcony and patio drains run clear.
• Have the AC serviced and the condensate drain flushed, so the system is in good shape to dry the house out when power returns.

Supplies that matter for moisture

Add these to the usual water, food and battery list. They are hard to find once a watch is issued.

• Heavy plastic sheeting, tarps, and tape for covering openings and belongings.
• Towels, a mop, buckets and a wet/dry vacuum.
• Box fans, and a portable dehumidifier if you own a generator that can run it.
• A battery-powered humidity monitor.
• Gloves, safety glasses and N95 respirators for cleanup.
• Plastic storage bins with lids.
• A flashlight for checking the attic and closets afterward.

48 to 24 hours before landfall

1. Photograph or video every room, including ceilings, floors and closets. A dated record of the home's condition helps with any insurance claim.
2. Move furniture, rugs and electronics away from windows and sliding doors.
3. Raise valuables, documents and anything absorbent off the floor, particularly in ground-floor rooms and garages. Use plastic bins, not cardboard.
4. Roll up area rugs in rooms likely to see water.
5. Install shutters or panels. Roll towels along the tracks of sliding doors and at door thresholds.
6. Run the AC to bring the house down to a cool, dry starting point. A drier house buys you time once power goes out.
7. Do laundry and run the dishwasher so nothing sits damp for days.
8. Know where your main water shutoff is. If you are evacuating, consider turning it off.
9. Clear the refrigerator of anything that will spoil and leak if you are leaving.

Condo-specific steps

• Bring in everything from the balcony and make sure the balcony drain is clear, so water does not pond against the sliding door.
• Ask management about the building's storm plan, including whether elevators, water or AC will be shut down.
• If you are leaving, give someone you trust a key and written permission to enter, and let management know who that is.
• Seasonal owners should arrange for a post-storm check of the unit even if the building appears unaffected.

If you evacuate

Close all interior doors to slow wind and water movement if a window fails, but leave closet and cabinet doors open in rooms that tend to be humid so air can circulate when the AC comes back. Unplug small appliances. Do not seal the house with plastic on the inside in a way that would trap moisture; the aim is to keep rain out, not to stop the building from drying.

Plan now for the first 48 hours afterward

Mold can begin growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, so decide in advance what you will do the moment it is safe to return.

• Walk every room and look up: ceiling stains, wet insulation in the attic, damp walls under windows.
• Remove standing water and pull out soaked rugs, cushions and cardboard.
• If power is on, run the AC and fans. If it is not and the weather is drier outside than inside, open windows during the day.
• Photograph damage before you move or discard anything.
• Report claims to your insurer promptly and check your policy for what it expects from you.

Be honest about what is beyond a homeowner's reach. Saturated drywall, wet insulation, soaked carpet padding and any water that came from outside flooding need more than fans.

Have a number ready

Remediation schedules fill quickly after a storm, so it helps to know who you will call before you need them. If your home takes on water and you see or smell mold in the days after, request an on-site remediation estimate at drymiami.com or call (954) 778-7999. The visit is $79, credited in full toward the job if you hire DryMiami.

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