Mold Remediation techniques can vary greatly depending on the type of material involved.
For example, Dry Ice Blasting is an innovative method that uses solid carbon dioxide to safely and effectively clean contaminated materials. In most cases, professionals will erect containment and use fans and dehumidifiers to keep moisture from spreading during cleanup. They will also fix leaks and re-seal porous or water-damaged materials.
Mold remediation is a complicated process that happens in several stages. It starts with identifying and fixing the source of moisture. This includes things like repairing leaky pipes and fixing cracks in walls. It can also involve replacing affected drywall and insulation.
Moisture and mold are closely connected, so if the problem isn’t corrected it will only return. This can lead to new growth of mold in different areas of the home, or worsen the existing situation. This is why it’s so important to contact a professional right away when you see signs of a mold problem.
After the water issue has been fixed, the next step is to isolate the moldy area of the home. This is done by closing doors and placing plastic barriers around the area. These barriers are then secured with duct tape to make sure no mold spores can escape. This also helps contain the spread of mycotoxin spores, which are produced by some types of black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum). These spores are lightweight and can travel through air vents, so it’s critical to limit their movement during the remediation process.
Once the affected area has been isolated, the mold remediation team will spray a biocide on the affected surfaces to kill any remaining mold. They will also use HEPA-approved vacuums to clean all surfaces in the affected area, removing moisture residue and spores. They will then dry the surfaces and use fans to create negative air pressure in the space, ensuring spores do not re-enter the home.
During this phase, homeowners may need to move out of their homes while the work is being completed. This is because some types of black mold produce mycotoxin spores, and these spores can cause health problems such as severe headaches, coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, and even blood poisoning.
Assessment
Molds thrive in damp conditions and can cause structural damage if left unaddressed. Molds can also aggravate health issues in people with weakened immune systems, asthma or allergies. If you think your home or business is contaminated with mold, you should have the area assessed by a professional for safe and effective remediation.
The first step in the process is to complete a thorough visual inspection of all affected areas. This will allow technicians to identify the visible signs of mold growth, water intrusion and humidity levels.
Once the mold assessment has been completed, the mold remediation team will create a remediation plan. This will clearly define the scope of work, the moisture source to be corrected, acceptable mold levels and how the project will be supervised. It will also include a cost estimate for the entire project.
This is when the real work begins. The mold remediation crew will create a containment around the affected areas. This will be done by creating a decontamination chamber or airlock. This will consist of a double layer of polyethylene with slit entries on both sides. This will prevent the mold from spreading to other areas of the property and will also stop contaminants like dust, dirt and debris from entering the clean area.
Once the contamination is contained, the professionals will begin to clean and disinfect all surfaces. This will include using HEPA-approved vacuums to remove the spores and any debris from the affected areas. They will then apply a biocide, fungicide or moldicide to the surfaces to eradicate any microorganisms.
This is an important part of the mold remediation process because mold spores are extremely difficult to completely remove and will continue to grow if the underlying moisture issue remains unaddressed. Once the cleaning is complete, the area will undergo a clearance testing inspection. If the area passes the test, a clearance certificate will be issued and the building can be re-occupied.
Containment
Mold spores are airborne and can travel from room to room, causing damage wherever they go. They can also cause health problems in building occupants with allergies, especially for those with compromised immune systems or chronic respiratory conditions.
The most effective way to mitigate the spread of mold spores is by creating containment around the area of the contamination. This process involves the use of plastic barriers, including heavy-duty plastic walls that can be constructed across doorways or built around rooms with visible mold growth. It also includes a negative air machine that draws in the air from the contaminated area and through flexible tubing expels it outside. This is a critical step in the mold remediation process and should not be skipped.
For the most accurate and effective results, we recommend using an encapsulant on all areas of the home or business that are being treated for mold. Encapsulants are a type of paint or whitewash that seals (as if in a capsule) the mold spores and prevents them from spreading once they have been cleaned. This is a very effective method for long-term protection of the moldy areas and is often used by professional contractors during the mold removal process.
Once we have created the containment, we’ll install a negative air machine inside the area and then tape polyurethane sheeting to the floor and walls at the entrance/exit of the containment. It’s important that the exit is as close as possible to the path out of the home so that we don’t have to haul the contaminated materials any farther than necessary. Once the exit is set, we’ll turn on the negative air machine and then suit up and begin the mold removal process.
Removal
During the mold removal process, the team will spray an EPA-approved biocide that kills the mold and renders its spores sterile. Then, they clean the surfaces by scrubbing and wiping them down thoroughly to eliminate any remaining mold and spores. They also use HEPA-approved vacuums to remove debris and moisture, as well as replace moldy air with clean air.
If there’s been significant water damage, the experts will take precautions to isolate and protect the contaminated area. They’ll close windows, cover doors with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting and duct tape the seams to block out all possible entry points. They’ll also fix any leaks to prevent further damage and keep the water from contaminating other parts of your home.
Once the contaminated areas are sealed off, the team will begin cleaning and drying the materials they’ve removed. It takes a long time to dry wet materials, but the professionals can speed up the process by using fans, dehumidifiers and increasing indoor air temperature.
In this phase, the restoration company will pack out any saveable items like textiles, clothing, hard goods, photos and electronics. They’ll then be taken off-site for inspection, cleaning and restoration by a certified contents specialist. Then, the items will be returned to your home and installed back in their appropriate places. The restoration process usually takes up to two days, but it can be longer if the items are extremely damaged. The mold remediation process is an extensive one, so it’s best to hire a qualified professional from the beginning to ensure everything goes smoothly. For a smoother experience, be sure to ask about any warranties or guarantees offered by the company you choose.
Cleaning
Mold spores can quickly become airborne and spread to other areas of the home. As such, it is important to clean all affected areas. This step of the process involves using HEPA vacuums, removing and disposing of damaged materials, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and dehumidifying the property to prevent future mold growth.
In addition to these cleaning techniques, mold remediation services include addressing the conditions that allow mold to grow in the first place. This may include repairing leaks or limiting the buildup of organic material that provides a place for mold to grow.
If the contamination is small, it may be possible to treat it with an encapsulant. This is a type of paint or whitewash that “encloses” (like a capsule) any mold spores that remain. Often, encapsulants are used to treat hard-to-reach areas, such as the spaces between drywall or in HVAC systems.
Level 2 mold remediation is more involved and uses all of the procedures from Level 1. Additionally, it includes identifying and locating the source of the contamination. It also includes a complete inspection of the affected area and the use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, eyewear, and an N95 mask.
The contaminated area is isolated from the rest of the house with polythene sheeting. This ensures that spores cannot travel to non-infected areas and make them sick.
Non-porous items that are not contaminated are removed from the area and cleaned with detergent solutions and scrubbing. Porous items, such as carpets and drywall, are usually destroyed and replaced with new materials. After cleaning, the affected areas are sanitized with a biocide/fungicide/moldicide.
