Mold Remediation is a full-service restoration process that addresses issues that caused the mold growth. This can involve correcting humidity levels and repairing leaks that lead to a moisture buildup. Contact Best Mold Remediation Company for professional help.
Moisture offers mold spores an ideal environment to grow and spread, so removing any contaminated materials is essential. This often involves removing drywall, carpeting, and insulation.
When the mold removal process is completed, the area will need to be cleaned. This step involves cleaning surfaces that have been affected by the mold growth and disinfecting any materials that cannot be cleaned with a scrub brush or wipes. This can be done with either bleach or an antimicrobial agent such as OxB biocide. It is important to open windows and wear gloves, eye protection and a facemask when applying any type of biocide, as these products can be harmful. After the surface has been cleaned, it will need to dry. This can be accomplished by opening windows and using fans. It is also important to remove any debris from the area, including drywall, insulation and carpeting. This can be performed by a mold remediation company or by the property owner.
Once the surfaces have been cleaned, the mold remediation company will perform a final moisture, odor and environmental testing of the area. This will verify that the area has returned to a normal fungal ecology or Condition 1 level and that occupants may return to the area.
If the mold has caused significant water damage, then the water must be cleaned and dehumidified to prevent further fungi growth. This can be done by the mold remediation company or by a general contractor hired by the property owner.
The property owner may also need to have the affected structural materials disposed of by a hazardous waste company. This is especially true for porous materials such as cardboard, drywall and insulation, as well as fabrics like drapes and curtains. All of these items must be discarded if they are contaminated with mold. Non-porous materials such as wood, ceramic tiles and glass can usually stay.
During this stage, the mold remediation company will also seal all windows and other openings in the affected areas to prevent the spread of mold spores to unaffected areas. Then, they will vacuum the surfaces with HEPA-approved equipment to remove any dust particles that contain mold spores. This step is critical, as spores can easily cross-contaminate clean, unaffected areas.
Containment
The next step involves containing the mold abatement area to keep mold spores from spreading to unaffected areas. A containment is built around the affected space, generally with a single layer of 6-mil fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting, and has slit entry and covering flaps. The enclosed area is surrounded by negative pressure with air filtration equipment (such as HEPA filters and blowers) that discharges the contaminated air outside of the mold abatement work area. All HVAC systems, including ductwork and vents, are isolated from the mold abatement area.
It’s important to note that if there’s widespread mold growth in your home, limited containment may not be enough to prevent cross-contamination. A full mold assessment, including sampling and testing, should be performed to determine the scope of the contamination.
Once the contaminated area is contained, the remediation team will begin cleaning and disinfecting. They’ll also test the affected surfaces to ensure the mold spores have been killed. A quick and inexpensive test, known as a culture, involves swabbing or tapeing samples of the moldy surface to collect spores for laboratory analysis. The test results provide important information on whether the specific mold species present are harmful and what type of remediation techniques should be used.
If the mold spores are determined to be harmful, the remediation team will use dryers and fans to bring humidity levels down to normal, which can help prevent future fungus growth. They’ll likely also use a specialized HEPA vacuum to clean up any spores that escaped during the previous steps.
Depending on the nature of the contamination, some materials might need to be removed or discarded, such as porous items like books, gypsum wallboard, and fabric covered chairs. Nonporous materials, such as plastic and metals, can typically be cleaned.
Before the remediation team starts working, it’s helpful to have your home organized and cleared of any contents that can get in the way of the process. This includes removing clothing, toys and decor from the room being treated. Leave the rest of your home unoccupied, and keep pets and children out of the contaminated area until it’s safe to return. It’s a good idea to shut off your HVAC system and close the vents in the affected room as well.
Debris Removal
Once the physical growth of mold has been removed, remediation specialists may need to remove contaminated building materials. This can be anything from carpeting and drywall to air ducts, wood framing and ceilings. These materials are typically transported away by a hazardous waste company and properly disposed of. During this part of the remediation process, air quality testing is often performed to ensure the contaminated area has been brought back to a normal fungal ecology.
While it is not always possible to salvage all materials damaged by mold, modern restoration technologies have advanced to the point where many belongings can be saved and restored after a full-scale contents pack out. Usually near the beginning of this stage, the remediation team will pack out saveable items such as textiles, hard goods, photos and electronics, which are then taken off site for restoration. After this step is complete, the space can be rebuilt once a clearance test certificate is issued by an environmental testing company.
Porous items that cannot be cleaned, such as drywall and plaster, are typically removed from the structure and sent to a landfill. Carpeting and upholstered furniture will also likely be discarded. Non-porous materials like drywall and metal are treated with biocide, which is an EPA-approved chemical that eradicates mold spores, then sprayed with commercial-grade antimicrobial agents to kill any remaining spores on the surface. Any cleaning tools that have been used in the contaminated areas must be wiped down and disinfected using detergent solutions, then disposed of in a plastic bag or container.
During this phase, the professionals will also clean all surfaces in the affected area with HEPA-approved vacuums and microbial sprays. After the cleaning is complete, the team will wipe down and dry the area to sanitize it. Then, the environmental testing company will perform a final visual inspection, odor detection and environmental sampling to confirm that the contaminated space has been returned to a normal fungal ecology. If so, the remediation is complete and the occupants can return to their home or business. Until this time, it is important that the occupants avoid the affected areas to prevent reinfection by spores from the outside environment.
Final Inspection
Once the mold remediation has been completed, a final inspection must be conducted. This inspection should focus on both visible signs of mold and moisture damage, and the underlying cause of the water intrusion that led to the mold growth. After the inspection, a clearance testing certificate can be issued and reconstruction may begin.
A typical mold inspection focuses on the non-structural elements of the building such as finish materials, insulation, and drywall. These areas are typically the first to be affected by a mold infestation due to their proximity to the source of water. Mold growth on these types of material can often be cleaned, but the underlying cause must be resolved to prevent future mold infestations.
If mold growth has occurred on any organic structural materials such as framing, subflooring, roof sheeting, or wood studs, it is usually necessary to remove these materials and replace them. This step is typically more time consuming and costly than other portions of the mold remediation process.
It is important to remember that mold is a living organism and even the smallest amount of dead mold spores can be allergenic, toxic, or carcinogenic for humans. This is why it is important to clean up the mold, not just kill it. Using a chemical biocide such as chlorine bleach during the mold remediation process should be avoided, except in cases when professional judgment indicates that it is required for occupant safety or the protection of equipment and other materials.
The underlying cause of the mold growth must also be addressed to ensure that any remaining spores do not regrow. This can be done by addressing the moisture problem, and implementing a preventative maintenance program that will detect and respond to any post-remediation water incursions quickly.
During the mitigation and cleanup stages of a mold remediation project, the primary concerns must be the health and safety of occupants and the remediation crew. As such, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times, and the project manager should be on-site to monitor the work. In addition, a thorough operations and maintenance manual should be prepared that addresses the prevention of water-related problems.