Remediation
Mold Remediation Process – How It Works
Besides potential health issues, mold can cause significant property damage.
Mold also makes your home look dreary – darkening the corners of bathrooms and staining the walls.
If you've discovered mold growth in your home or at your business, you might feel tempted to clean it up yourself.
However, more often than not, if the infestation is significant then remediation is best left in the hands of professionals.
To help you get accustomed to the process, here's a roadmap of the mold remediation process.
When Is Mold Remediation Required?
You'll be surprised to learn that microscopic mold spores are almost everywhere – both indoors and outdoors.
Mold thrives where there is moisture, and if you thoroughly check your bathroom and basement, you'll likely see signs of mold.
When mold damage is considerable and mold growth rampant, mold remediation is necessary. The EPA notes that homeowners can clean up mold growth themselves if the infestation area is less than 10 square feet.
However, the agency also notes that if the mold is heavily concentrated over that area, it must be contained. The homeowner must also work to contain the mold if it's near an HVAC system.
What Happens During Mold Remediation
If the area the mold affects is less than 10 square feet, you can use chlorine bleach to get rid of it.
However, bleach is not approved by the EPA, and it's recommended that you use a product such as MoldSTAT.
The process of removal is simple – protect yourself, contain the mold by sealing the room, and clean up. However, the mold remediation process is a lot more complicated and thorough if you choose to get it done by a team of professionals.
Steps in The Mold Remediation Process
1. Inspection and Mold Assessment
First, the team will carefully inspect the property for signs of mold. It's sometimes visible, but most times, it's hidden from plain view.
The specialists employ various technologies to detect hidden water sources and find extant mold.
2. Mold Containment
Next, containment procedures are done to ensure the mold doesn't spread to other parts of the home. Every fan, heating, and cooling system is turned off.
Several containment procedures may be employed. Most times, a negative air chamber is made with the aid of physical barriers, keeping the spores from spreading.
3. Air Filtration
After the mold is contained, professionals work to capture and remove airborne spores.
The air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums help with this process.
4. Removal and Clean-Up
The mold removal method varies depending on the amount of growth, and the surface the mold is growing on.
Typically, a combination of anti-fungal and anti-microbial treatments are employed to do away with the mold. The treatments also help prevent mold from forming again.
If the drywall and carpeting in your home is also affected by the mold, it may need to be disposed of since it's a porous material.
After the mold is gotten rid of, all the furniture, decorative items, and even the clothing around the affected area are cleaned.
A variety of techniques are employed to sanitize your belongings and rid them of microbes and odor.
5. Restoration and Replacement
In the final step of the mold remediation process, the drywall, subfloors, and other materials are disposed of. However, not everything in your home will be gotten rid of – some materials may be repaired.
A new carpet may be installed, and the drywall repaired and painted.
That being said, the mold removal process may also involve the reconstruction of sizeable areas in your home or business.
There's no precise way of telling how much repair and replacement is required over the phone – if the infestation looks bad, call a mold removal company as soon as you can.
How Long Does Mold Remediation Take
The circumstances are almost always different with every infestation.
However, generally, the mold remediation process takes between three and seven days to complete. It will vary depending on the amount of mold damage.
Is It Safe to Live in A House After Mold Remediation?
You may need to leave your home during mold remediation, especially if multiple rooms have been affected by mold growth.
But as long as the source of moisture (and hence the mold growth) is found and fixed, it's completely safe to live in a home after mold remediation.
However, if you fail to find the source of moisture that's causing the growth of mold, the mold may grow back and require you to leave home again for mold remediation.