Mold Remediation, Rebuilding Meeting Brings in Big Crowd

Babylon Helps held a discussion panel on reducing and eliminating mold and the rebuilding process for families affected by Hurricane Sandy in Babylon Village last Tuesday evening.

The discussion panel, which featured members of National Gird, the Town of Babylon and local contractors, brought in a crowd of nearly 100 people to Rowe Hall at Babylon Junior-Senior High School.

Residents in attendance were allowed to direct questions to the panel, many of which have been helping in the rebuilding process along the south shore of Long Island following the October hurricane.

For many, mold was more than just a bothersome guest in their flood-stricken homes – its become an invader, even if many could not see it.

"The best way to find the mold is to look for it and test for it," said Bob Deacon, a Lindenhurst native that runs Vango Cleaning. He suggested hiring contractors that only had high-tech moisture meters, which could detect the presence of mold-producing moisture deep in wood.

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"This equipment is key to rebuilding," he noted. "It helps map it out – then you can kill it."

Other residents were concerned about rebuilding only to find out later mold was in their floorboards or walls.

"Air circulation throughout the home will help dry it out," said Anthony Carvalho, of Healthy Living Associates. He said pumping in heat from an outside source and adding circulation by the use of fans would help secure a drier home.

"Now is the time," he said. "Ask for a lab report before you build again. Make sure the mold is not in there!"

Mold, as noted, can lead to detrimental health effects, including various breathing problems and other illnesses.

The well-attended event was just the start of the rebuilding process for many in Babylon Village, noted Babylon Helps member Dominic Bencivenga. He said the group, which helped victims dig out and stay safe in the immediate aftermath of Sandy, wants to have more meetings like this.