How to Protect Your West Palm Beach Home From Post-Storm Mold

Hurricanes and big summer storms are common for people in West Palm Beach. The wind and rain may move out in one or two days. But the damp air they leave inside can stay around for weeks. This damp air can turn into mold over time.

After a storm, many homes are hot, closed up, and feel very humid. The air conditioning may not work for days. Wet walls, floors, and insulation do not get dry. This is the time when post-storm mold starts to grow.

This guide talks about why there is a lot of mold in West Palm Beach after storms. You will read about the places where mold grows most of the time. The guide also explains what you can do in the first two days and when to get professional help.

Key Highlights

• West Palm Beach is hot and very humid. After storms, power often goes out. Homes stay wet and mold can grow fast.

• Most homes are built on concrete slabs. The water table is high. Water can come up through the slab and get stuck under floors.

• Mold can start to grow on wet drywall, carpet, and insulation in one to two days. Waiting for an adjuster may make things worse.

• Mold often hides in stucco cracks, leaks around windows and doors, and walls shared by condos after storms.

• Florida has licensed mold assessors and mold remediators. You need to act fast to stop damage and get the right checkup.

Why West Palm Beach Homes Grow Mold After Storms

West Palm Beach is a place with a warm and tropical climate. A hurricane can bring a lot of water to the area. Streets can flood, yards get soaked, and there can be damage to roofs. Many homes might not have power at the same time. The air conditioning does not work. Most people keep their windows shut to stay safe.

Inside, the air can get so wet that it is almost full of water. Drywall, wood, and insulation take in the water. These materials soak up water from the air even if the flood never gets to them.

Most houses here are slab-on-grade. This means there is a concrete slab sitting right on the soil. The water table is high. When there is heavy rain for hours, the soil gets very wet. Water in the soil can push up through small cracks and gaps under the slab. The floors may feel dry, but the layers below can stay damp for weeks. Mold can grow there.

Where Post-Storm Mold Usually Starts

Most homes in West Palm Beach have stucco that goes over concrete blocks. Stucco may look strong, but it can still let water in. Small cracks, loose joints, and places where wires or pipes are not sealed well can let rain from storms get inside the wall.

When there is a hurricane, rain hits the wall from the side. It does not only fall from above. The water gets into the stucco. After the storm, the sun comes out, and heat moves the water farther inside. If there is tight paint or vinyl wallpaper on the inside, water will stay against the back of the drywall. It will not dry into the room. This can make mold grow inside the wall and in the insulation.

Impact-rated windows and doors can still let water in when there is a big storm. The wind can move rain up to frames and push water inside through gaps. This may happen with weep holes, cracked sealant, or old weather-stripping.

Water often builds up in the wall under windows and door entries. It gets into the bottom of the drywall and the stuff that keeps heat in. Most owners only see glass that is hard to see through and wipe it. Mold then spreads down inside the wall where people cannot see it.

Tile and shingle roofs get a lot of rain when there is big wind. The wind can lift the tiles or shingles. When this happens, water can go under them. Sometimes, the soffits blow out too. This lets rain get into the attic. Attic insulation that gets wet may only look a bit darker, but there may be much water there. Mold can start to grow on the roof decking and wood framing.

Many people live in condos and townhomes along the Intracoastal and barrier islands. When there is a water problem in one unit, it can also get into other units. Water leaks from roofs, balcony doors, or mechanical rooms may move down through more than one floor.

It’s best to know that you’re at risk of mold if there’s been a hurricane so that you can act quickly. Let’s see what you should do after a storm to prevent mold risk.

First Forty-Eight Hours After A Storm

Before you go inside the house, make sure it is safe. Look for power lines that are down. Look for standing water near places where there may be power boxes or outlets. Look for ceilings that sag, walls with cracks, or strong smells of gas or fuel. If you see any of these things, do not go in. Wait for power workers or someone who is trained to help.

Stormwater can have things like sewage, fuel, and chemicals in it. When you start to clean up, there will also be mold spores in the air. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say you should wear basic gear to stay safe. The least you should have is a disposable N95 respirator, goggles that fit tight to the face, rubber or nitrile gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe boots. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people who have asthma, strong allergies, or a weak immune system should not do hard cleaning.

In Florida, when it is hot and damp, mold can start to grow fast. It can show up in one to two days on wet drywall, carpet, and insulation. Once you know it is safe, get rid of any standing water using pumps or wet vacs. Take out wet carpet and padding. Move them outside. Cut away drywall that is wet above the water line. Remove wet insulation. If the power is safe to use, run fans and dehumidifiers.

The goal at this time is not to make the house look good. The main thing is to stop materials from staying wet. This helps keep mold from growing.

Palm Beach County has different rules for storm debris. If you have things like drywall, flooring, and cabinets, put them in a pile that is just for construction debris. Put tree limbs and yard waste in a different pile. Big things like appliances and electronics need to be in their own pile, too. If you mix the piles, the crew might not pick up your debris. That could leave wet piles in your yard for a longer time.

When To Call A Pro

You do not need a mold expert for every bit of mildew in your shower. You should call a licensed mold assessor if the mold takes up more than ten square feet in one spot. Call for help if there is mold in several rooms or on more than one floor.

It is time to call if you see anything growing on drywall, ceilings, framing, or behind cabinets. You should also call if there is a strong musty smell and you do not see where it is coming from.

Get help from a pro if someone in your house has asthma, allergies, or a weak body defense system. You should also do this if you want to make an insurance claim or plan to sell your home soon. Getting someone to check the place and cleaning it up the right way often costs less. It is better than having your claim turned down, getting into a long fight with the homeowners group, or losing a lot of money when you sell.

Florida Mold Rules And Licensed Professionals

Florida law puts mold work into two types. If mold takes up less than ten square feet in one spot, it is a small job. A careful homeowner or handyman can do this work.

If mold is spread over more than ten square feet in one spot, things are different. A licensed person needs to look at the mold and make the plan. A licensed cleaner must do the work to remove the mold.

These licenses follow the rules in Florida Statutes Chapter 468, Part Sixteen. The Florida Department Of Business And Professional Regulation (DBPR) manages them. You can check licenses on the DBPR mold-related services page.

Florida law does not let one company do both the assessment and the cleanup on the same job within a year. The idea is to stop any conflict of interest.

The mold assessor should get paid to find the real problem and make a true plan. The mold remediator should get paid to use that plan and clean the home. If one company does both jobs, they may want to make the work look bigger or check their own work.

Fast Mold Testing stays focused on just checking for mold. They look over places, check for wet spots, and test things if needed. They do not clean up. This split helps their reports be easy for insurance companies, homeowners, and buyers to use.

What a Mold Inspection Looks Like?

For big jobs, there are three main steps. First, there is an assessment and making a plan. A licensed mold assessor comes to the home. He finds wet and moldy parts. He may use tools to read how wet things are and sometimes cuts small openings to test. He writes up a plan for how to fix things.

Next, there is cleanup and getting rid of the problem. A licensed mold remediator puts up plastic walls to keep things in one place. They use machines with HEPA filters. He takes out wet and moldy pieces. The rest of the area is cleaned and dried.

The last step is checking after cleanup. The mold assessor comes back. He looks again to see that things are now dry and clean. He might take samples. If all is as the plan says, you get a report to keep. You can use this for insurance or show it if you ever sell your home.

FAQs

How Fast Does Mold Grow After A Hurricane In West Palm Beach?

In Florida's climate, mold can begin to grow within twenty-four to forty-eight hours on wet drywall, carpet, and insulation. That is why the first two days are critical for drying and removal.

Should I Wait For My Insurance Adjuster Before Tearing Out Wet Materials?

No. Take photos and video first, then start removing clearly soaked drywall, carpet, and padding as soon as it is safe. Waiting several days just so the adjuster can see it wet often leads to a much larger mold problem.

Do I Need To Test What Kind Of Mold It Is?

Not usually. Health agencies say that if you can see or smell mold, you should remove it and fix the moisture source. Cleanup steps are similar regardless of type.

Final Word

Mold grows in West Palm Beach after a storm because of the hot and wet weather. The kind of building made right on the ground helps mold show up. Stucco walls and rain that gets pushed by wind also make it easier for mold to be there.

You cannot stop hurricanes from coming. You can choose how fast you dry your home. You can decide how well you write down the damage. You can pick who you want to check and clean your home. Keeping mold inspection reports and cleanup papers helps with your insurance claims and can help future buyers.

A clear and honest mold inspection and report can keep your family safe. It also helps take care of your money and home. If you want to get a fair view after the storm, you can set up an inspection with the Fast Mold Testing West Palm Beach team. You can use their report as a guide for cleaning up, talking with insurance, and selling your house later.