A story from the field: the appointment is booked, but what happens next?

Nok is a forty-two-year-old office worker who lives in a two-story townhouse in a housing estate in Bangkok's Sai Mai district, together with her seventy-five-year-old mother and two cats. During the 2026 floods, water rose about forty centimeters into the ground floor and stayed for almost a week. After it receded, the living room and kitchen smelled damp and musty, the lower walls carried water stains and black mold spots, and her mother had started coughing every morning.

Nok called and booked a disinfection and ozone team for three days later. As soon as she put the phone down, the questions started. Should she clean the house first? Where would the cats go? Did the food in the fridge need to be moved? How should she store her mother's medicines? Would the television and computer be damaged? And how long would they need to stay out of the house?

Almost every household asks the same questions. This article gathers the answers into a checklist, step by step and stage by stage, so the disinfection fogging and ozone treatment work as well as possible, take less time, and are safe for everyone in the house, pets included.

Why preparing the home matters as much as the service itself

Disinfection fogging and ozone treatment work best when the home is ready for them. If piles of mud are still sitting in the corners, flood-soaked mattresses are still in the bedroom, or the floor is still wet, germs and musty odor have a fresh source to return from. Good preparation is what makes the results last.

The second reason is safety. Ozone is very effective at reducing mold spores and breaking down odors, but it should not be breathed in high concentrations. During treatment there must be no people, pets or plants in the home. Planning in advance where everyone will go keeps the day of the work calm and simple.

The third reason is time. When the team arrives and the home is ready, the work can start straight away, without waiting for furniture to be moved or decisions to be made on the spot. That means the family can move back in sooner.

Risks to know about before you start preparing

Floodwater and mud can contain E. coli, which is associated with diarrhea, and Leptospira bacteria, which cause leptospirosis, known in Thailand as rat urine fever. While carrying things out and shoveling mud, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and a mask. Cover any cuts on your hands or feet completely. If you develop a high fever or muscle pain, especially in the calves, after contact with floodwater, see a doctor promptly.

Older people, young children and anyone with allergies or asthma should not help move moldy items, because mold spores spread most when things are being moved around. Let the healthiest adults in the household do this work, and keep doors and windows open while you do it.

What the team will ask you when you book

A short conversation at the time of booking makes the whole process smoother. Having the answers ready saves time for both sides, and helps the team bring the right equipment and plan a realistic schedule.

• What kind of home is it? A detached house, a townhouse, a shophouse or a condominium unit, and how many floors were affected.
• How high did the water come, and for how long? Water that stood for a week usually leaves more moisture in the walls than water that drained in a day.
• Where is the mold and the strongest smell? Photos sent by LINE are very helpful.
• Who lives in the home? Older people, babies, anyone with asthma or allergies, and any pets, so the team can advise on timing and safety.
• Is the electricity safe to use? If an electrician has not checked the wiring yet, it is best to arrange that before the work day.
• Are there any special items? Aquariums, valuable artwork, musical instruments, medical equipment or a home business with stock.

With this information, the team can tell you roughly how long the work will take, how long you will need to stay out, and whether anything extra should be prepared. If anything changes before the appointment, such as more mold appearing or a family member falling ill, just let the team know by phone or LINE so the plan can be adjusted.

There is no need to prepare perfect answers. A rough description and a few photos are enough to start, and the survey on the day fills in the rest. What matters most is that the team knows about anyone vulnerable in the household before the work begins.

Stage 1: three days ahead

• ☐ Shovel out mud and wash the floors as thoroughly as you can: clean floors, the base of walls and under furniture, then open doors and windows to let air through.
• ☐ Sort everything that was submerged: flood-soaked mattresses, pillows, rugs and fabric sofas usually have to go, because they hold contaminated water deep inside and are very hard to dry.
• ☐ Have an electrician check the wiring: especially low sockets and outlets, before you switch appliances back on. The team also needs electricity to do the work.
• ☐ Photograph mold spots and stains: these help the team during the survey and give you a before-and-after comparison.
• ☐ Plan where your pets will stay: with relatives, a neighbor or a pet hotel on the day of the work.
• ☐ Plan where older family members and children will stay: if you will be out for several hours, arrange somewhere comfortable and pack any regular medication.
• ☐ Write down your questions for the team: which rooms need the most attention, which items you are worried about, and when you can move back in.

Stage 2: the night before

• ☐ Put away food and tableware: place dry food, condiments and snacks in airtight containers or in the fridge. Store plates, bowls, glasses and baby bottles in cupboards that close.
• ☐ Put away medicines and cosmetics: seal regular medication, medical devices and cosmetics in bags or closed boxes. Take any medicine you will need during the day with you.
• ☐ Cover or move electronics: computers, laptops, televisions and audio equipment should be covered with cloth or plastic. The team controls the ozone dose and duration to suit your home.
• ☐ Secure valuables and documents: keep jewelry, cash, land title deeds and important papers somewhere safe, or take them with you.
• ☐ Take indoor plants outside: ozone can damage leaves, so move plants out of the house.
• ☐ Deal with the aquarium: move it out of the room if you can. If that is not possible, tell the team in advance so you can plan together.
• ☐ Open musty cupboards and drawers: wardrobes and under-sink cabinets that were affected by the water should be left open so ozone can reach inside. Keep cupboards holding food and medicine closed.
• ☐ Bag clean bedding and clothes: seal freshly washed blankets, sheets and clothes in bags, or place them where the team suggests.

Stage 3: the morning of the work

• ☐ Take every pet out of the house: cats, dogs, birds and small animals. Make sure none is hiding under a bed or inside a cupboard.
• ☐ Arrange parking for the team: in a housing estate, let the juristic person office or the gate guards know in advance.
• ☐ Switch off air conditioners and fans: the team will tell you which systems to switch on or off during the work.
• ☐ Walk the team around the house: point out the mold, the strongest smells and any items you are worried about.
• ☐ Exchange phone numbers: so the team can call you when the work is finished and again when ventilation is complete and you can come back.
• ☐ Everyone leaves before ozone treatment starts: including older family members, children and any housekeeper. Nobody goes back in until the team says it is safe.

Room by room: the spots people often forget

Kitchen

Throw away all food and ingredients that were touched by floodwater, even in cans or packets that look sealed. Wash out the cupboard under the sink where water sat, then leave it open to dry. Keep condiments and dry food that are still good in airtight containers.

Bedrooms

Strip the sheets and pillowcases and wash them. A mattress that was not submerged but smells musty can be stood on its side or raised so air can circulate underneath. For a wardrobe that smells, take the clothes out to wash them first, then leave the doors open.

Bathrooms

Scrub mud from the floor and grout lines, and make sure the floor drain is not blocked. If the toilet sends smells back up, have a plumber check the pipes and septic tank, because fogging and ozone deal with odor in the room, not with a plumbing problem.

Garage and storerooms

Wet cardboard boxes are a forgotten source of mold. Replace them with plastic boxes and lift stored items off the floor. Household chemicals such as engine oil, insecticides and cleaning products should be stored in a closed place, and the team should be told where they are.

While the team works: disinfection fogging plus ozone treatment

Our disinfection service uses CHEMGENE HLD4H, applied as an ultra-low-volume (ULV) mist across the ground floor, kitchen, bathrooms and every area the water reached. The fine droplets get under furniture, into wall crevices and along tile joints.

Our ozone treatment service closes up the home and treats it with a dose-controlled ozone generator, which helps reduce airborne mold spores and breaks down the odor molecules trapped in walls, ceilings and furniture.

How the work is done

1. Survey: we walk through the home with the owner, checking the flood line, damp spots and mold.
2. Readiness check: we confirm there are no people, pets or plants inside, and that important items are stored or covered.
3. Disinfection fogging: ULV application of CHEMGENE HLD4H throughout.
4. Ozone shock treatment: the home is closed and treated for a time suited to its size and the strength of the odor.
5. Ventilation: doors and windows are opened until the home is safe.
6. Re-check: we check odor and damp spots again and give advice for the days ahead.

Stage 4: after the team leaves

• ☐ Wait until the team says it is safe: then leave doors and windows open a while longer before bringing older family members, children and pets back inside.
• ☐ Wipe surfaces that touch food: dining tables, kitchen counters and chopping boards should be wiped with clean water before use.
• ☐ Wash sheets and pillowcases: any that were not sealed in bags should be washed before you use them again.
• ☐ Watch for odor and mold during the first week: especially behind cabinets, in corners and along the bottom of walls. If you see anything, ask the team to re-check.
• ☐ Wait for walls to dry before repainting: painting over damp walls lets mold grow under the new paint.
• ☐ Have the air conditioners cleaned: units exposed to humidity or mud should be cleaned by a technician before you run them at full power.

Common mistakes before the team arrives

• Spraying strong bleach all over the house the day before: the harsh smell lingers, and mixing different cleaning products can release dangerous gases. An ordinary household cleaner is enough.
• Using perfume or air freshener: this makes it harder for the team to judge how strong the musty odor really is.
• Repainting first: fresh paint hides the mold spots that need the most attention, and mold may grow under the new paint.
• Keeping a flood-soaked mattress "to see how it is after the ozone": a mattress full of floodwater will keep producing odor and germs. Throw it away before the work day.
• Forgetting a hidden pet: cats love to hide under beds or in cupboards. Count every animal before you leave the house.

Special situations: when your household needs extra planning

Bedridden or less mobile family members

If someone in the home cannot easily leave, talk to the team when you book. The work can be planned floor by floor or room by room, so that the person can stay with a relative or in a well-ventilated part of the house that is not being treated at that time, and then move once the treated area has been fully ventilated. Never keep anyone inside a room during ozone treatment, whatever the circumstances.

Home-based businesses

Many homes in Sai Mai have a small shop, office or workshop on the ground floor. Stock, documents and equipment should be treated the same way as household items: food products sealed, paperwork stored, electronics covered. Let your customers know the day you will be closed and when you will reopen.

Shared walls and neighbors

In townhouses and rows of shophouses, it is courteous to let the neighbors on either side know that ozone treatment is taking place. The team works with doors and windows closed during treatment, and opening up for ventilation afterwards is done carefully. If your neighbors are also dealing with flood damage, they may want to arrange their own treatment at the same time, which can help reduce odor coming through shared walls.

Rented homes

If you rent, tell your landlord before the work day. Agree who will be present, who will hold the keys, and how decisions about discarding furniture that belongs to the landlord will be made.

A printable summary for the fridge door

Some families find it easiest to print a one-page summary and stick it on the fridge so everyone in the house knows what to do. Here is a short version of the whole checklist.

1. Three days ahead: mud out, floors washed, soaked mattresses and sofas discarded, electrician called, plans made for pets and older relatives.
2. The night before: food sealed, medicines bagged, electronics covered, valuables secured, plants and aquarium moved, musty cupboards opened.
3. The morning of: pets out and counted, parking arranged, team shown around, phone numbers exchanged, everyone out before ozone starts.
4. Afterwards: wait for the all-clear, ventilate a little longer, wipe food surfaces, wash unsealed bedding, watch for mold during the first week.

Keeping the list somewhere visible means fewer last-minute phone calls and fewer forgotten details, especially in a busy household that is still recovering from the flood.

10 reasons homes in Sai Mai choose WHD

1. A clear preparation checklist that keeps the work day calm.
2. ULV disinfection fogging reaches the corners a cloth cannot.
3. We use CHEMGENE HLD4H, a disinfectant used in professional settings.
4. Ozone treatment reduces musty odor and airborne mold spores in flooded homes.
5. Controlled dose and timing, suitable for homes full of electronics.
6. A clear time for moving back in, so the family can plan the day.
7. Advance advice about pets, plants and aquariums.
8. A dust mite removal service for mattresses that are still worth keeping.
9. A mosquito spraying service around homes with standing water after the flood.
10. Easy contact by phone and LINE, serving Sai Mai, Bang Khen, Don Mueang and nearby areas.

Before and after: a home that was ready

A client's voice (example scenario)

"At first I was really anxious and had no idea what to do. Once I had the checklist, I just worked through it one item at a time. I threw out the flooded mattress, left the cats with my sister, boxed up Mum's medicines and covered the TV and computer. On the day, the team started as soon as they arrived. They called when they had finished and told me exactly when we could go home. When we got back, most of the musty smell was gone, and Mum has been coughing less."

— Nok, townhouse owner in Sai Mai (example scenario from the field)

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do I need to clean the whole house perfectly first?
A: Remove as much mud as you can and wash the floors, but it does not have to be perfect. The team will point out anything else worth doing during the survey.

Q: How long do we need to stay out?
A: It depends on the size of the home and how strong the odor is. The team gives an estimate when you book and calls you when ventilation is complete and you can return.

Q: Do I need to move the food in the fridge?
A: Food inside a closed fridge can stay where it is. Food left out on counters should go into airtight containers or into the fridge.

Q: Will the TV and computer be damaged?
A: We recommend covering them, and the team controls the ozone dose and duration. Any appliance that was submerged should be checked by a technician before you switch it on.

Q: When can the cats come home?
A: After the team says the home is safe. Leave doors and windows open a little longer before bringing pets back.

Q: Which areas do you serve?
A: Sai Mai, Bang Khen, Don Mueang, Lak Si, Lam Luk Ka and nearby areas. Ask us on LINE @whd268.

Your home is ready, so book the team today

Book a survey of your flooded home in Sai Mai or nearby, and get the preparation checklist with your appointment.

Book ozone treatment

See our disinfection service

Call 065-556-6294 · LINE @whd268 · worldhealthdisinfection@gmail.com

Related links

• Ozone disinfection for residential spaces
• Ozone treatment for odors and chemical residue
• Dust mite removal service
• All articles
• External sources: WHO: Floods and health and the Thai Department of Disease Control