Caribbean’s Building Science Experts Provide Advice for Protecting Indoor Environments after Floods

Zimmetry Environmental provides consulting services to identify and resolve indoor environmental quality issues following all types of water damage.
By: Zimmetry Environmental
 
 
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Zimmetry Environmental Logo
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Nov. 24, 2014 - PRLog -- Whether due to a natural disaster, leaking roof or a broken pipe, a flooding event can cause widespread damage throughout a property.  If any standing water, moisture or elevated humidity levels are not quickly addressed, indoor air quality (IAQ) and potential health problems for building occupants will often add to the damage caused by the initial flooding event.

Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria and mold. Many of these contaminants can become airborne and be inhaled causing disease and triggering allergic reactions long after the flood. For these health reasons, and to lessen structural damage, all standing water should be removed as quickly as it is safe to do so.

Excess moisture is an indoor air quality concern for a number of reasons, including:

• Any microorganisms brought into a building during flooding may present a health hazard. These organisms can penetrate deep into soaked, porous materials and later be released into air or water.

• High humidity and moist materials provide ideal environments for the rapid growth of microorganisms such as mold and bacteria.

• Long-term increases in humidity in a building can foster the growth of dust mites which are a major cause of allergic reactions and asthma.

“Materials that are wet, porous and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours may need to be discarded as they can remain a significant source of microbial growth,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Responding quickly to a water damaging event is critical.  At Zimmetry, our building science and indoor air quality experts help prevent and resolve environmental concerns following all types of flooding events in Puerto Rico and across the entire Caribbean.”

Zimmetry Environmental recently sponsored an educational video about flood cleanup and indoor air quality that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/3Q1tnHFkPF0



To learn more about water damage, indoor air quality and healthy indoor environments, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental

Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase IESAs and general environmental consulting services.

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Tags:Water Damage, Flood, Puerto Rico, Caribbean, Mold
Industry:Construction, Media
Location:San Juan - Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico
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