Cleanup
Mold Cleanup: The Entire Process
Approaching mold removal can feel stressful, but it won't be long before the professionals you hire reach the mold cleanup stage. Doing this right is critical – any microbes left behind increase the chances of the mold growing back.
But the process is surprisingly straightforward, and learning about it beforehand can help the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming.
How Do Professionals Remove Mold?
Here's a brief look at all the steps professionals follow to remove mold:
They'll don safety gear that protects them from the harmful effects of mold. Most professionals just wear a good pair of gloves and a high-quality mask. If harsh chemicals are required for mold cleanup, then they'll wear full-body protective suits to stay safe.
The affected area is then sealed off, typically using plastic sheeting. This helps prevent mold spores from spreading to unaffected areas and promoting mold growth.
Next, professional equipment such as HEPA filter-equipped air scrubbers and industry-grade dehumidifiers are set up in the affected area. These help get rid of the moisture and also remove the mold spores from the air.
The mold is physically removed. Air scrubbers and other tools are left running during physical removal to ensure the air is cleared of any suspended particles.
The actual cleanup stage begins here – all the moldy and porous materials are discarded. This includes everything from affected drywall to ruined carpet and even baseboards.
The space is vacuumed with HEPA vacuums and cleaned with a variety of other tools.
Professionals use an anti-microbial chemical to clean up the remaining mold from the affected area.
Sealer or some kind of encapsulant is applied. It helps areas to become more resistant to water damage and also helps control the odor.
The material that was discarded due to damage is replaced, and the items that can be fixed are repaired or restored back to their original condition.
What to Do Before Mold Cleanup Begins?
If you've discovered mold in your home, it's important not to panic. Since it may have adverse effects on you and your family's health, it's best to contact a mold remediation company as soon as possible.
While the company that visits your home will help you get rid of the mold, you can do a few things to help with the process.
Inspect Your Home
Mold spreads easily and can travel over surprising distances. If you've found some mold in your bedroom, there's a good chance there's mold in the bathroom closest to it.
If you spot mold growth in any part of your home, make sure to do a thorough inspection of all the other parts of your home. A new chunk of mold can grow from just a single spore landing on the right surface.
Mold thrives in moist areas, so make sure you check near faucets and fixtures, and especially the basement, since the basement is usually the least ventilated area of the home.
A lot of mold remediation companies help you identify areas in your home that have been infested with mold. But there are some companies that don't offer inspection services, so it's best you take a look yourself.
Other Things You Can Do Before the Professionals Arrive
Only 40% of American homeowners have suffered from water damage before. So, if you're considering having professionals come and take care of mold in your home, there's a good chance it'll be your first time dealing with it.
There are many things you can do to ensure you get the best results from their service.
Get an Air Quality Sampling Report: Asking for an AQS report will help you determine what kind of mold is currently growing in your home. These reports can help professionals understand what needs to be done to best solve your problem.
Avoid Moving Things: Removing items from the affected area is not recommended. There's a good chance that mold spores have landed on these surfaces, and moving them around can cause other parts of your home to get contaminated.
Wash Clothes: If you've had clothes lying around in the affected area, or have worn clothes in the area, wash them with hot water and regular detergent. Put the clean clothes away in a sealed bag to avoid them getting contaminated.
Make Arrangements to House Your Pets: It's not safe for pets to remain in the house during the mold removal process. Make sure you have a reservation ready for your pet to be kenneled, or ask a friend to take care of the pet temporarily.
Plan to Relocate Your Family Temporarily: If the infestation is bad, making plans to temporarily relocate your family is an excellent idea. You must also factor in the type of mold growing in your home into your decision. Black mold is considered the most dangerous, and if you find even a relatively small amount of it, vacating temporarily is a good idea.
Document the Condition of Your Home: Take a walk through your home and snap images of all of your furnishings and belongings. The pictures of these belongings can help you file an insurance claim. Some remediation companies also offer financial reimbursement from the company.