Post-flooding moisture poses threat: professor (Aug. 1, 2013 Etobicoke Guardian)
Updates: A City of Toronto webpage concerned with basement flooding can be accessed here.
A June 30, 2014 CBC article is entitled: “Broken water main causes Etobicoke basement flooding: Flooding affects homes on Evans Avenue.”
A June 20, 2014 CBC Saskatchewan article is entitled: “Tips and suggestions for people with flooded basements: Got a flooded basement? Here’s some advice …”
[End of updates]
The headline for an Aug. 1, 2013 Etobicoke Guardian article by Tamara Shephard reads:
Post-flooding moisture poses threat: professor
The opening paragraphs read:
A University of Toronto professor is warning residents whose basements flooded in the torrential July 8 rainstorm to take action against moisture-damaged materials to protect themselves against mould growth.
Since the 126 millimetre deluge, Etobicoke residents have contended with insurance adjusters and contractors hired to rip out sewage-soaked carpet, flood-damaged flooring and soggy drywall.
The question — did they do it quickly enough?
Professor Jeffrey Siegel, who studies indoor air quality in residential and commercial buildings, urges residents that if they didn’t act quickly to professionally dry moisture-damaged materials, they should pitch them.
“Any moisture-damaged materials should be dried professionally with an industrial-sized dehumidifier very fast, within 48 hours, to really remove all the moisture. Otherwise, those materials should be removed and replaced. I’m not diminishing the fact that can be a very expensive proposition,” Siegel said.
An American, Siegel said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends drying moisture-soaked materials within 48 hours.
[End of excerpts]
To access the full article, click here.
Hi My Son just moved into a Basement Apt On Penhurst Ave in Etobicoke, the unit is very damp feeling and he has been told by neighbors that this Basement was flooded in the 2013 flood yet the new owners say no. It rained heavy last night & he left me a message that water was coming into his apt, new ceramic tiles were put in through out the unit after the so called no flood. How would I find out if the work had been done right and that there is no mold?
That’s a most interesting question.
I would suggest that, for a start, you might want to contact the local Councillor’s Office to see what advice they may have, in the circumstances.
I would also suggest that you call 311 at the City of Toronto, again, to see if they have suggestions regarding your next steps.
Here is a relevant link to a City of Toronto webpage dealing with basement flooding:
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=f041ffa6ee33f310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
A City of Toronto webpage concerned with basement flooding can be accessed here:
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=f041ffa6ee33f310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD