The Process of Mold Remediation
As we mentioned in our previous article on the dangers of mold, the EPA highly recommends you hire a professional to deal with any mold problem larger than three square feet. Maybe you’ve sniffed out a funky portion of your basement or spotted visible signs of mold growth in your attic. You know you need to contact a certified mold remediation contractor (CMRC), like LM Companies, but maybe you’re wondering what the process of mold remediation looks like. While every mold remediation will be different, based on the extent of the moisture problem as well as the location of the mold growth, our process, which is based on EPA recommendations, is effective at ridding your home of toxic mold growth.
Step 1: Fix the Underlying Problem
The first step to any mold remediation process is to fix the underlying problem causing the excess moisture, which is allowing the mold to thrive in the first place. If repairs are not completed to prevent excess moisture from settling into your home, the mold will undoubtedly return soon after the remediation process is complete.
Step 2: Evaluation and Assessment of Mold Contamination
In this step, we set out to gain a full understanding of the mold problem facing your home. The goal of mold remediation is to clean up mold growing within your home and to avoid exposing you and your family to large amounts of mold. In order to do this, we will need to thoroughly examine the mold growing in your home by taking photographs, measurements, and notes. We will not only thoroughly evaluate obvious areas of mold growth but will also seek out other areas where hidden mold may be taking root in your home. Once we have determined the extent of your mold contamination, we will be able to develop a plan for properly, and safely, removing the mold from your home.
Step 3: Isolate Mold Contamination
Depending on the extent of your mold contamination, we employ various methods for preventing the spread of mold throughout your home. Isolation may be as simple as closing the doors connecting the affected area to the rest of the home or as complex as covering all doorways and openings with polyethylene sheeting and using negative air chambers to keep the mold spores from spreading. In order to prevent the spread of contaminated dust, our isolation efforts may include misting the affected area with water or the use of air filtration devices. We will take every necessary measure to protect you and your loved ones, as well as our own certified, trained technicians, from further mold contamination.
Step 4: Removal and Disposal of Contaminated Materials
Once we have prepped the contaminated area, we will be able to begin the heavy work of remediating the mold contamination in your home. First, we focus on removing all wet and mold-damaged porous materials, potentially including all affected drywall and carpeting when there is heavy mold growth. We discard all moldy materials in plastic bags, often double-bagged, tied close to prevent the spread of mold.
Step 5: Cleaning the Affected Areas and Surfaces
All non-porous materials and wood surfaces that are affected will need to be cleaned using a wire brush followed by a thorough cleansing with disposable wipes. All surfaces will need to be scrubbed with a cloth, dampened in a detergent solution. In some, more severe, instances, all surfaces will first need to be vacuumed using a HEPA filter prior to being cleaned with a wire brush and detergent solution.
Step 6: Ensuring Complete Mold Remediation
Once we have finished removing contaminated materials and cleaning affected surfaces, all areas will be visibly free of any contamination or debris. Fans and dehumidifiers, as well as increasing the indoor air temperature, are used to speed up the drying process of the remediated area. After proper mold remediation, visible mold, mold-damaged materials, or a funky moldy odor should not be present. If a sample was required during the initial assessment, a second sample will be taken at this point to make sure the mold concentration found inside your home is similar to the mold concentration found outdoors.
Step 7: Restoration (when necessary)
Depending on how extensive your mold damage was, drywall, flooring, or other building materials may need to be removed and replaced once the remediation process is complete. For less invasive mold infestations, your home may simply need fresh paint, carpets and drywall. For more significant contaminations, a more significant reconstruction may be required.
