What You Should Know About Mold Remediation
- If your house has a mold problem that’s too big to handle yourself you may have to hire a mold removal company to handle the job. You may be unfamiliar with mold remediation and want to know what removal techniques are used and how effective they are.
Mold remediation is labor-intensive and costly so you want to know the mold removal service you hire is not going to take shortcuts and the work is properly done.
Before hiring anyone you should first get bids from several mold remediation companies and compare them. Make sure they specify what methods of mold removal they will use. Be cautious of very low bids.
- There are two main ways mold in homes is removed. The most common way involves physically removing it by wire brushing, sanding, or blasting it off surfaces and then removing all debris. This is the most expensive method because it is labor-intensive.
It involves cleaning all surfaces where mold grows, wall cavities will be opened up and infected building materials will need to be removed and then replaced after the mold cleanup is done. In many cases, you will not be able to stay in your home during this process and you will probably need to remove your belongings to be cleaned and then stored.
- The other main method of mold remediation involves actually killing it by spraying, fogging, or using ozone.
These methods are simply a quick fix and like many shortcuts long-term success is uncertain. Mold does not need to be alive to cause health problems especially for those with asthma or mold allergies. Some research suggests that dead mold spores and particulate matter may actually be more damaging than live mold.
The best course of action for successful mold remediation involves combining both methods of mold removal. The mold should be physically removed from the home and then all surfaces should be treated to assure there is no living mold or spores that can reproduce.
Levels of Mold Remediation
There are five levels of mold remediation that you should use to guide you on when to get a professional mold remediation company or just take care of the issue yourself.
Level 1 – Small isolated area (10 square feet or less)
At this level, you can take care of the mold contamination on your own hence saving you the money that you could have spent on a mold remediation company. This level categorizes small infections that are usually found on ceilings and small areas on the wall. Mold remediation can be conducted by regular building maintenance but those doing this job should remember to wear personal protective garments such as gloves, disposable respirators, and eye protection.
Level 2 – Mid size isolated areas (10-30 square feet)
The same protective measures in level 1 should be also taken when dealing with mold remediation at this level. After taking out all the materials that have mold in plastic bags that are tightly sealed you should and the mold-contaminated area is thoroughly cleaned with a damp cloth the area should be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum.
Level 3 – Large isolated areas (30- 100 square feet)
At this level, mold contaminates patches on the wall the same precautions applied in level 1 and level 2 should also be applied in level 3. In addition to these precautions, use plastic sheets to seal all the air movements around the work area and places adjacent to it. Vacate all the occupants in the work area as well as the surroundings. All areas should be completely dry and visibly free from mold.
Level 4 – Extensive contamination (more than 100 square feet)
At this level, health and safety professionals who are trained in mold investigations (mold remediation) should be consulted before the mold remediation process begins. Every person that will be working in the infested area should put on protective garments that are disposable to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of the house. The working area should also be completely isolated from the rest of the home. All the openings should be complete since mold is airborne. Before reoccupying the make sure that air monitoring is conducted to confirm if your home is safe for you to move back in.
Level 5 – (Air Conditioner and HVAC Systems)
If only a small part of the air conditioner is infested by mold then you can handle this problem using the steps in levels 1 and 2. However, it is recommended that all mold infestation in air conditioners and HVAC systems should be left to the professional mold remediation companies who should follow the precaution measures in levels 1 through to level 4. In addition to these, the workers should shut down the HVAC system before commencing with the work and remove any material that is supporting the growth of the mold in the system and seal it in a plastic bag. They should also use antimicrobial agents that are designed to prevent the growth of the mold.
Advantages of Mold Remediation
The Importance of Using Professionals
Professional mold remediation services halt the growth of mold completely. The specialists assess the affected area, find the source of the problem and come up with the best ways of eliminating it first by cleaning out moldy overgrowth and second by creating conditions unfavorable to the growth of mold. They eventually restore the home or property to its former glory promoting good health in the process.
Water damage is usually the source of mold growth. If this is the root of the problem in your house, specialists will seal leaky spots to ensure that no future breakouts occur. Moldy surfaces will in most cases be dried and disinfected to eliminate chances of mold growing back.
Owing to their professional training, the specialists know the proper procedures to use. They have the right equipment and tools they need to make a tedious process such as mold removal as smooth and effective as possible. They not only take care of the mold but also ensure that the occupants are protected from the contamination that comes with the removal. Mold remediation recreates a healthy living environment for all.
Mold remediation services are fair in affordability. The charges will in most cases depend on the extent of the mold damage and growth as well as the seriousness of the source of the mold growth. More and more specialists are now offering mold removal services, making it possible for everyone to find effective services at a price or charge that they are most comfortable with.
If you are uncomfortable with or unsure how to properly treat a mold problem you should hire mold remediation services. Professionals use advanced mold detection and cleaning technologies to safely clean up a mold outbreak and restore materials and structures. Once problem areas are detected, trained mold removal experts are able to use advanced HEPA vacuums and chemical treatments to fully rid the area of spores. Some remediation services will even offer to install special dehumidifying systems after the clean-up is complete.
If you are experiencing mold problems that go beyond your abilities to handle, research your mold removal options online or contact a professional remediation service.
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