Mold remediation involves cleaning existing mold and preventing new growth by fixing the moisture problem. Professionals typically use a combination of tools and techniques.
They start with an assessment, identifying the type of mold and its location. They also locate the source of moisture that promotes mold growth. Click the Mold Remediation Salt Lake City to learn more.
Mold can be insidious, clinging to surfaces and spreading quickly in the presence of a water leak. It thrives in moist, dark environments and can eat through nearly any building material if allowed to grow. If inhaled, mold can also cause serious health problems, especially for people with existing respiratory conditions like asthma or those who are already sensitive to fungi.
Professional restoration companies use advanced techniques to find and treat mold growth. Typical mold remediation involves a multi-step process to return the mold level in your property to normal, safe levels. This includes inspecting the affected area, identifying mold types and determining the extent of the infestation (including areas that may be hidden). Moisture mapping and air quality testing can also be used to find the source of the problem, whether it is a water leak or excessive humidity.
After assessing the situation, the mold removal specialists isolate the infested area to keep spores from spreading to unaffected areas of the building or structure. Plastic or polyurethane sheeting may be applied to impacted surfaces. Ventilation is kept to a minimum and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are used to ensure that any spores that do become airborne are removed from the environment. Mold spores are particularly dangerous when inhaled, so professionals wear protective masks and gloves when working around mold.
Once containment and ventilation are in place, the professionals can begin cleaning contaminated areas. They use specialized equipment and cleaning products to thoroughly remove any visible mold from surfaces. All impacted materials are then cleaned, disinfected and dried. Some experts use fungicide or moldicide to kill remaining spores. Drying the materials may involve the use of fans or dehumidifiers to speed up the process.
Any items that are salvageable are packed up and taken off-site for restoration. This is a very time-consuming and expensive step, but one that can help prevent future infestations. Restoration experts will also repair any damage to building materials and re-install any insulation or drywall that was removed. They will then conduct additional air and moisture tests to make sure that the space is safe for reoccupation.
Cleaning
While it may be tempting to try and tackle mold removal on your own, this is usually not a good idea. The best restoration companies will test the affected area to determine what type of fungi it is and then safely remove it with appropriate cleaning methods. A good company will also ensure that the underlying issue has been addressed so that the mold can not return.
The next step in mold remediation is to clean the affected surfaces with a combination of cleaning agents and disinfectants. Those materials that can be removed and cleaned are then sanitized and deodorized to leave the area safe for occupants. This process is particularly important if the affected area has been subjected to extensive water damage. The building and furniture need to be completely dry to prevent future mold growth and damage. To achieve this, industrial fans, air movers and dehumidifiers are used in the affected areas.
Non-porous surfaces that are contaminated with mold are scrubbed and washed down with either commercial cleaners or natural home solutions. Those that are unmovable are covered with plastic sheeting and sealed off from adjacent rooms to avoid spreading the mold spores. This includes sealing off air vents as well. This step is also when any contaminated rags and sponges are removed and sealed in plastic bags for disposal.
Porous surfaces such as drywall and wood will be cleaned using water-based products or a non-toxic antimicrobial solution. Depending on the extent of the mold, abrasive scrub brushes or pressure washers may be used. Once the surfaces are clean, they will be sanitized and encapsulated to keep the spores from growing back.
While this is a necessary step in the remediation, it is not enough to restore the health of the affected property. The most important step is to identify and correct the source of the dampness which is allowing mold to grow in the first place. This can be one of five types: descending damp from leaks at roof/eaves or wall penetrations, penetrating damp through walls usually caused by construction faults or disrepair, plumbing faults such as leaking water tanks and faulty valves or condensation due to inadequate ventilation.
Containment
Mold spores can spread to other areas in your home if they are not contained during the remediation process. This can result in the additional removal and disposal of drywall, insulation, carpeting, wood flooring, sheetrock, and other materials. It can also lead to health problems and severe damage to your property. To prevent this, mold remediation experts use several different barriers, like plastic sheeting, to isolate the affected area from the rest of the house during cleanup.
Full containment involves constructing heavy-duty plastic walls across doorways or around the area of contamination. This prevents mold spores and dust from escaping the contained area during demolition, construction, and cleaning.
The walls are usually made of polyurethane, which is tough and able to withstand heavy machinery and equipment. The plastic is secured with zipper tape. This makes it easy to open and close the barrier while maintaining a tight seal, preventing any spores from blowing in or out during the remediation process.
To maintain negative pressure inside the containment area, mold remediation professionals use specialized equipment called air scrubbers or negative air machines. These devices constantly draw in air from the surrounding environment, filtering it through HEPA filters to capture mold spores and other contaminants. Then they vent the filtered air outside of the containment area, effectively removing mold spores from the space.
In addition to creating negative air pressure, mold remediation professionals may also use fans and dryers to ensure that the containment area meets a specific humidity standard. This will prevent spores from growing back after the mold cleanup is completed.
Source containment is used for areas that only have visible mold growth. This technique involves sealing the mold growth to the contaminated building material, preventing spores from spreading to hidden areas during demolition. It is a more efficient method than full containment, but it cannot be used if there are any cracks in the surface of the mold growth.
Once the containment is complete, the mold remediation team will remove and dispose of all contaminated materials. Then they will clean the remaining surfaces using a variety of techniques. These include misting the moldy areas, vacuuming, scrubbing, and disinfecting. They will also deodorize the property. Finally, they will test the affected area with a clearance testing certificate from a licensed mold assessor.
Disposal
Mold spores can travel in the air and settle on surfaces even as they are being cleaned or removed. Expert remediation involves isolation of contaminated areas with plastic sheeting and other measures. This allows the space to be thoroughly cleaned, dried and disinfected without contaminating other rooms or materials. Remediators will also test the air in the contained room for mold spores to ensure that it meets certain humidity standards before reopening the area.
Mold growth can damage drywall, flooring and other building materials, leading to costly repairs. In addition, it can also create a variety of health problems, especially in individuals with allergies, asthma or weakened immune systems.
Professional mold remediation services offer testing, containment, cleaning and disposal to address both the mold and its underlying cause. The services are designed to bring the fungi back to natural levels and prevent them from returning.
While complete mold removal is impossible, remediation can reduce the fungi to safe and natural levels in your home or commercial property. The professionals can identify the species of mold, locate the source of moisture and determine the impact on building materials. They can also take a closer look at the situation that led to the growth of mold, such as broken pipes or high humidity levels.
The professional team will use dehumidification methods, thermal fogging machines, antifungal treatments and surface cleaning agents to clean non-porous building materials. They can also use specialized tools to dry wet and contaminated items. They will double bag all of the materials before transporting them off site for disposal.
If the material is porous, such as carpeting or drywall, it should be disposed of instead of cleaned. Porous materials are often contaminated with multiple types of mold and should be completely replaced. Professionals can dispose of these materials in special waste collection facilities or landfills if necessary. The experts will check with the local municipality on what steps need to be taken for proper disposal. If the waste is deemed to be hazardous, it will need to be handled by an experienced hazardous waste handler.