What Is Mold Remediation?

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When most homeowners stop and think of mold in their homes, they probably think of finding a small spot or two in their bathrooms from taking long showers with no vent. They probably think of a mess taken care of with a spritz or two of cleaning solution and a quick wipe with a sponge. The problem is in thinking of mold as a small problem that is no big deal when the truth is that it can get worse. A lot worse.

When you are dealing with a mold infestation in your home it can not only be devastating to the appearance of your home; it can cause serious damage to your home's structure, its environment, and the health and safety of both you and your family. Mold is not an enemy to be taken lightly. Getting rid of mold means going through the entire process.

What is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the process of removing not only mold from your home but all of the materials that the mold has contaminated. If you have, for example, a couch that has become infested with mold, the likelihood of that couch being salvageable is virtually non-existent. The mold remediation process requires that the couch be disposed of safely, eliminating the mold.

Let's say you had a wall infested with mold and then removed the mold. The wall is now severely discolored, and damage has been done to it. The mold remediation process requires that the affected material be removed.

The Difference Between Mold Removal and Remediation

Sometimes, some people use the words “removal” and “remediation” regarding mold interchangeably. While the two processes sometimes overlap, they are different processes.

Mold removal is the process of getting rid of the mold itself. When you clean up the mold, wipe it away, and do so for all the mold in your home, you have gone through the mold removal process.

The mold remediation process calls for removing all materials that the mold contaminated beyond the point of cleaning. It is essentially knowing when mold can be removed and when it is there to stay, so the afflicted item goes.

What is Mold Removal?

To reiterate, mold removal is the removal of mold and nothing else but the mold from your home. It involves deep cleaning, using solutions designed specifically to kill the mold in your home so that it cannot grow back.

The Mold Remediation Process

As with cleaning up mold, there is an entire process to mold remediation that must be conducted. It needs to be stated that the homeowner can do this process, but it is far more advisable to have it done by a professional with experience.

Performing Mold Testing

Arguably the most important part of the process is mold testing to confirm whether it's in your home or if you have only encountered a small patch of it. There are mold testing kits for home use that can be purchased to enable homeowners to detect the presence of mold in their homes. Such kits will also allow you to find the mold. You will want to follow the directions in the mold testing kit to the letter.

Identify and Correct the Source of The Mold

Once you have found where the concentration of mold is strongest, it should not be too hard to find the source of the mold growth. It will typically be where there is the most mold. Look for anything that would be a source of moisture. You could be looking for a leaky pipe, a leaky roof, or a condensation build-up. Once you have identified the source of the mold growth, you must correct the source. This means finding a way to stop the source from continuing to fuel mold growth.

Isolate and Contain the Affected Area

Once the source contributing to the growth problem is halted, sectioning off the area is crucial. This step is essential to contain the mold to a specific location, preventing it from spreading throughout your home. The typical method involves using plastic tarps and tape, creating a barrier that isolates the contaminated area during mold remediation.

Air Filtration

The following essential step is ensuring proper air filtration, a key aspect of managing airborne fungi with technology. During the remediation process, the use of air purifiers is crucial. It's important to note that while air purifiers play a significant role, they do not replace the need for proper protective gear, such as gloves and respirators.

Until the mold is completely removed, such protective measures remain necessary. Air purifiers, by eliminating mold spores from the air, significantly enhance the safety and effectiveness of the mold removal process in your home.

Demolish and Dispose of Damaged Building Materials

This is part of the remediation process that makes it truly stand out from the mold removal part. Any building material, be it flooring, drywall, or support structure, that is considered too far gone to rid of mold must be broken down and properly disposed of. This is to ensure the future stability and safety of your home.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Any surfaces that can be saved from mold exposure must undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection process. You will clean the affected area using specialized tools and cleaning products designed to treat mold. Once the mold has been cleaned up, you must disinfectant products to ensure that the formerly afflicted area does not experience a resurgence in mold growth.

Dry Out

When you have finished cleaning up the mold, you want to allow the freshly cleaned area to dry out. This means allowing for proper ventilation, which kills mold by removing moisture. Using a dehumidifier is strongly recommended for this step.

Replaced Damaged Materials

Your home cannot be completely back to normal until it is completely back to normal. This means getting rid of mold and damaged materials and replacing those damaged materials. This can sometimes involve extensive reconstruction, so it may be worth consulting your homeowner's policy provider to see what costs, if any, they may be able to cover.

How Long Does Mold Remediation Take?

The question of how long mold remediation takes is a tricky one. It depends entirely on the size of the home and, more importantly, the spread of the mold in that home. Sometimes the process is handled quickly and smoothly, with a relatively small patch being all that needs to be fixed. Sometimes it can take significantly longer. The typical case usually takes between 48 hours to a full week.

Does Mold Come Back After Remediation?

If the job is done right, then no, you should not expect mold to return. The only scenario mold can return is if proper maintenance is not done in the home regularly. If the conditions that allowed for mold growth were to occur again, mold can rear its ugly head quickly, but if you have kept a watchful eye over your home, then the likelihood of a mold resurgence is small.

Can I Do Mold Remediation Myself?

By EPA guidelines, if the spread of the mold is less than ten square feet, you can, more than likely, take care of it on your own. Make sure to use the proper protection if you do go forward on your own. Rubber gloves are a must, as is a face mask (most preferably a respirator that can filter out dangerous spores).

When Shouldn't I Remove Mold Myself?

Any mold spread larger than ten square feet should be dealt with by a water damage remediation professional equipped to deal with larger infestations. A professional restoration and mitigation contractor will have the tools and experience to deal with a large mold. Not only will they be able to handle the mold in the safest manner possible, but they will also do so in the most time-efficient manner possible.

 

 

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