Mold remediation is fixing mold problems in a home or business. Responding quickly to any situation is essential to prevent mold spores from spreading. Best Mold Remediation Company will usually start by removing any salvageable content. This includes textiles, furniture, hard goods, and photos. Next, the restoration company will bring moisture levels back to normal.
The first step in mold remediation is to do whatever is necessary to contain the area. For instance, a trained mold remediation specialist usually covers any openings to other rooms in your home or business with double layers of polyethylene sheeting. The contaminated areas will also be isolated from the rest of your building with a plastic barrier and HEPA-filtered air scrubbers. The spores produced during mold clean-up can spread to other rooms, a crucial step to prevent the problem from spreading.
In addition, any porous materials, such as fabrics or carpeting, that have been affected by mold will need to be removed. These materials will be bagged and sealed in thick plastic bags for disposal. Non-porous materials like drywall and insulation can be cleaned with a unique “micro-cleaning” method and then wiped down to remove settled spores.
Next, if the mold was caused by water damage, the moisture source will need to be addressed and repaired. The mold growth will not stop until the humidity levels in the home are back to normal. This can be done by addressing the leak, fixing any plumbing issues or even installing dehumidifiers in high moisture areas.
Once the containment is in place, the mold remediation company will spray a substance called biocide over the entire affected area. This is an EPA-approved liquid that will kill all mold spores in the area. Once the spores are dead, the professional will use HEPA-approved vacuums to clean all surfaces. Afterwards, the professional may apply a special mold resistant encapsulating product to the surfaces.
If you are having mold remediation done in your home, it’s a good idea to make arrangements for your family to stay elsewhere for the duration of the service. It’s best if you can find a friend or relative who would be willing to take in your pets or children until the mold is cleaned up.
Several days before the mold remediation crew is due to arrive, you should clear out as much of your personal belongings as possible from the affected area. This includes moving any unaffected furniture to another room, sequestering any pets in a separate area and clearing a path from the doorway of your home or business to the area where they will be working.
Removal
Mold cleanup is a labor-intensive process. It involves scrubbing and cleaning all surfaces that are infested with mold, and washing contaminated items to remove any spores that are still present. A professional mold remediation company will use powerful cleaners to kill the spores, and a disinfectant to sanitize the area.
A professional will begin by assessing the damage to the property and finding out how bad the mold problem is. They will also locate the source of the spores. Usually, this is found in moist places such as bathrooms and basements. A professional will also test the moisture content of any wooden materials, insulation and drywall to make sure that the mold is not spread to other parts of the house.
Once they know how big the problem is, they will create a plan on how to deal with it. They will usually isolate the contaminated areas by closing doors and windows between them, and then they will cover them with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting. They will then seal these sheets with duct tape to prevent any airflow. This will stop any spores from being dispersed throughout the house.
Before they start the actual cleaning, a company will lay down a drop cloth in the work area to protect the floor from any mold dust. They will also set up dehumidifiers and fans to help dry the contaminated areas. A company will then wipe all non-porous surfaces with a cloth that has been soaked in a detergent solution. If a surface is porous, it will have to be removed and discarded. This includes wood, drywall and wallpaper.
If the mold is in an open space, a company may use a fungicide to spray down the area and kill any spores that are in the air. This is an alternative to using bleach, which can be harmful if it comes into contact with skin and eyes.
Depending on the severity of the mold, some items might need to be removed as well. A restoration company will often pack up saveable items such as clothing, textiles and hard goods and take them off site for cleaning.
Disinfection
Mold spores are present in the air and naturally play a role in decomposing organic materials. They are usually harmless outdoors, but they can become dangerous indoors when they discover moisture and food. Mold remediation professionals start with containment and ventilation to prevent the spread of spores throughout your home or office. They seal doors and windows between contaminated areas. For Level 2 and higher remediation, they also use 6 mil polyethylene sheeting to block the contaminated area from the rest of your home. During this stage, it is important that anyone entering the contaminated area wears a face mask and protective gloves to avoid breathing in any spores.
Next, they remove any materials contaminated with mold, such as drywall, insulation, wood trim and carpet. They also clean all surfaces with non-ammonia soap and a wire brush. Non-porous materials that are unable to be removed may be cleaned with a biocide, which is an EPA approved chemical used to destroy mold spores and prevent future growth. These chemicals are typically sprayed onto all surfaces that are contaminated with mold and left to set overnight before being wiped down. After the surface is wiped down, it should be dried quickly to prevent mold spores from returning.
During the disinfection process, mold remediation technicians take care to use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums and negative air machines to eliminate all mold spores, dust and microbial volatile organic compounds. They may also spray a dehumidifier in the contaminated area to control humidity and replace moldy air with fresh, clean air.
After the contaminated space is disinfected, it should be sealed with a mildewcide and whitewash to prevent mold spores from returning. It is essential that the cause of the mold outbreak is addressed, whether it was from a leaky roof or poor insulation.
If the problem is caused by a leak, you should have it repaired immediately after the mold removal process is finished. This will prevent the water leak from causing further damage to your home and will stop mold from coming back in the future.
Encapsulation
When a mold remediation company recommends encapsulation after the final cleaning, it means that they will apply a clear or white sealant that covers and encapsulates the spores. This will prevent any new growth. It also reinforces damaged materials, provides a clean surface and makes the area more visually appealing. It is important to note that before this step, workers should spray the area with a biocide (an EPA-approved liquid that kills mold spores). If they skip this step, there may be active mold left under the encapsulant and it will quickly return.
Aside from preventing the spread of mold spores, this step also helps to prevent the further degradation of your building materials, such as drywall and wood. It also guards against the possibility of structural damage in your attic and other parts of your home that could occur when a material rots due to water exposure. This is an important step for preserving the value and longevity of your property.
Encapsulation is a good option for crawl space mold because it allows the preservation of existing building materials, such as drywall and wood, rather than removing them and replacing them. It is also a cost-efficient alternative to other methods of mold remediation.
Mold encapsulation is not recommended for use in an attic because it does not kill mold spores that have already started to grow on your attic’s organic materials. It can, however, be effective in other areas of your home where mold has already started to spread.
It is crucial to hire a professional mold remediation service. They will use a variety of cleaning methods to physically remove mold and disinfect surfaces. They will also use dehumidifiers to extract the moisture that is the root cause of the problem. In addition to this, they will use a biocide to kill any remaining mold spores and an encapsulant to cover them so that they cannot re-grow.
If you have any questions about mold remediation, feel free to contact us at any time. Our team of specialists will be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process until your building is back to normal.