Mold Testing & Inspection
Performing Mold testing and inspection prior to performing mold remediation allows us to provide homeowners with a clear picture of the problem at hand. Through testing and inspection, we identify the source of the problem while also providing a baseline for post-mold remediation verification testing. Additionally, we provide preventive recommendations to help reduce potential future mold growth.
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Complete Drying Of The Space
To keep mold from coming back in the future, your mold remediation and damage restoration company will use dryers, fans, and other tools to ensure the room meets a certain humidity standard. This is incredibly important, as the wrong level could allow the mold to grow back and defeat the purpose of the whole process.
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How Do I Fix Mold In My Home
If you think there might be mold growing in your home, its important to take steps to identify and then remove it. However, mold remediation isnt something you should do on your own.
If mold levels are abnormally high as determined by indoor air quality testing or an inspection, remediation is recommended. This should be carried out by a professional remediation company with certified, trained professionals who have experience removing and cleaning-up mold from an indoor environment.
List Of Essential Mold Remediation Equipment
The mold remediation process eliminates excess moisture and moldy surfaces on the property.
Before removing mold, you should focus on changing the humidity levels that let it grow and spread. Once humidity levels are back to normal, you can remove the already existing mold, assured that it will not grow again.
These are the essential tools every mold remediation professional should own.
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Hvac System Filter: Filters Outdoor Air
Use high-quality filters in your HVAC system during remediation. Consult an engineer for the appropriate efficiency for your specific HVAC system and consider upgrading your filters if appropriate. Conventional HVAC filters are typically not effective in filtering particles the size of mold spores. Consider upgrading to a filter with a minimum efficiency of 50 to 60% or a rating of MERV 8, as determined by Test Standard 52.2 of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. Remember to change filters regularly and change them following any remediation activities.
Finally The Difference Between Mold Removal And Mold Remediation
Within the industry and among mold professionals, mold removal, mold mitigation, mold abatement and mold remediation are often used interchangeably along with other terms such as mold cleaning and mold restoration. The significant difference is in the procedure.
While mold removal is the process of removing the mold, it does not address identifying the source. However, mold remediation centers on all actions taken to combat mold infestation and return mold level to the point that is not dangerous to the health of inhabitants and the buildings structure. Mold remediation will identify the cause of active mold growth and controlling how much mold is present.
While some degree of mold removal is included in the mold remediation process, mold remediation is an extensive process that focuses on problematic areas of infestation. The series of actions involved in remediation effectively return mold levels to a natural point that is safe for both the structure and its occupants.
A complete mold remediation procedure is what keeps potentially harmful mold problems away.
This article was originally published in Dec-2020 and was last updated in Oct-2021.
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Who Can Be Affected By Mold In Their Home
Children: Little ones are still growing and are more susceptible to the toxicity in fungi.
Elderly: As people age, their bodies break down and their immune systems deteriorate, which makes it difficult to fight mold toxicity.
People with compromised immune systems: This could be a result of a disease or condition, or even poor health due to lifestyle choices.
Individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies or asthma
Pets: Yes, even your family dog could be negatively affected by mold in your house.
Are You In Stl Or Chi Got A Mold Problem
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If you have questions about a specific situation and whether you have coverage for mold removal, speak to your insurance representative.
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Mold Removal And Remediation
Once youve identified mold within your home or business, the next step is to ensure its effective removal from the property. Considering the potential property damage and health issues that mold can cause, its important for you to make sure this mold is removed from the property as quickly as possible.
Removing mold safely requires expertise. Despite some resources suggesting a simple spray and wipe, it is a detailed and controlled cleaning process. Heres BELFORs guide to how to remediate mold.
How Long Does It Take To Remediate Mold
Most mold remediations last a few days. The extent of the mold problems in the property determines how long exactly, but between two and seven days is a normal time frame for remediation. Mold growth that goes into the structure of a building may take longer to get rid of and repair, although a time estimate is given before the removal begins.
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Restoration Chemistry Part : Mold Remediation Chemicals
For many people, discussions of chemistry are not only confusing such conversations are actually scary. Too many individuals do not appreciate just how valuable a basic understanding of chemistry can be to their efforts as a cleaning or restoration professional. However, the value of a general knowledge of what chemicals are and how they work does not mean that someone has to wear a white lab coat and stand around bubbling glass beakers in a laboratory. To that end, the goal of this series of articles is to help the restoration and cleaning professional understand the basics about the various products used during their projects so they can:
The Path Of Resistance
Initially, Mikes landlord tried to fix the problem himself, bleaching the moldy walls. We call that spray n’ pray, said Scott Armour of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a global industry body for remediators. They, along with the EPA, advise against bleach for a variety of reasons, namely that fumes can be dangerous and its usually ineffective.
Bleach only works for non-porous surfaces. It cant touch the mold that has burrowed into surfaces like wood or drywall . But the most important reason bleach fails is that people dont stop the molds water supply.
First thing I do is check for leaks, in the bathroom or roof or a crack in the foundation, said Greg Bukowski, who runs the Chicago-based remediation company Moldman USA. Theres always a leak. If you dont fix that, dont bother with bleach or vinegar. Then kill and remove the mold with detergent and water, then prevent its return with mold-resistant paint like Kilz .
When bleach didnt work, Mike paid for an indoor airborne mold test, which raised more questions than it answered. We had no idea how to interpret the results. I just couldnt find any information out there that isnt written by remediation guys, he said. They told him he had the dreaded black mold, and needed professional remediation.
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What A Mold Remediation Company Does
As you can see, there are many steps that a mold remediation company takes to remediate the mold problem.
But some full-service mold remediation companies offer a more comprehensive solution
To help with other areas of the restoration process.
For example.
Your mold remediation company might offer help with everything from disaster response to water damage restoration process to complete build back.
Having a highly-skilled, experienced disaster restoration team on your side also means getting assistance with your insurance claim.
In the end, it is important to work with a mold remediation company that understands your needs as a commercial property owner.
And can help walk you through each aspect of the process until your building is back to pre-damage condition.
How Much Do Mold Removal Companies Usually Charge
The price of mold removal services varies based on the type of service you need and the magnitude of the spread and if any reconstruction services are needed. Mold inspections and tests can cost up to a few hundred dollars, with the price increasing if mold removal is required. For mold removal and restoration, the cost increases from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
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Can You Handle A Reconstruction Project In The Home
Dust in the containment chambers should be controlled during the remediation service, but dust, debris, and noise from the reconstruction can be an issue for some families. As remediation may require the removal of drywall and other building materials, the interruption to daily activities can be unacceptable for many families.
Mistakes To Avoid While Mold Cleanup
When doing mold remediation on your own, make sure to avoid the following mistakes:
- Choosing the wrong mold cleaner. Again, bleach is not what kills mold. Cleaning mold with bleach is not going to help. The best way to clean mold is by using natural products like the ones mentioned above.
- Not addressing cross-contamination. Heres one important thing you should know. Once you start scrubbing off the mold from the surface, some of the spores will become airborne. This means that your entire home can be exposed to mold infestation. Thus, it is essential to containing the area. Dispose of all the cleaning materials and clothing you used to prevent cross-contamination.
- Not eliminating the moisture source. No matter how hard you clean the parts of your home infested by mold, it will just keep coming back until you address the moisture problems. After the cleanup, speak with a mold remediation professional to determine the causes of water problems or leaks in your house.
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Can You Deal With Mold Yourself
If you have a small amount of mold on your property, then you may be able to deal with it yourself to an extent without the help of any mold remediation companies. Make sure you avoid inhaling mold while you clean and dont use dry brushing which can actually have the unwanted effect of unsettling the mold spores and causing them to enter the air again.
Mold test kits exist to help you find mold and if you do identify it then in many cases you might be able to remove it with a simple damp wipe. Make sure you remove every last bit of mold and then try to prevent it from coming back by getting more air and circulation into your home.
This only works if you notice mold on solid surfaces. If you have a porous surface such as a carpet or a dry wall however then you wont be able to clean that yourself. This will likely have to be disposed of and as the mold may have spread further, you should probably call one of your local mold remediation companies. That said, in some cases, there will be steps you can take to kill mold in the carpet.
If the mold keeps coming back however or if a musty smell persists in the air, it may mean that you have mold more deeply set in where you cant see it. Mold can get under floorboards and it can get inside wall cavities. In this case, you should again call one of your local mold remediation companies that can better track down the source and solve it once and for all.
When Should You Be Thinking About Hiring A Mold Remediation Company
When the mold starts spreading
Small mold problems can be contained by homeowners themselves, provided they are not toxic. A mold growth covering an area of more than 10 square feet is considered serious and should really be seen by professionals. Of course, you do not need to wait until it goes this far. If you are ever concerned about the effect mold in your home may be having on your health, you should contact us straight away.
When you move
It is also recommendable that you call in a mold remediation team if you are moving to a new building. Commercial properties where large numbers of people may work in the future should always have the mold levels checked before any renovations are made. Properties that have been closed up or derelict for a while should also go through a mold remediation process before anyone spends time inside, as toxic black mold could have had a chance to fester, particularly if there are any damp patches.
Whenever you feel concerned
The time to hire a mold remediation company is as soon as you feel even a slight concern. If you have worries about health or damage to your property, dont wait for the growth to reach 10 square feet. Call us straight away, and we can inspect the mold, free of charge.
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How Is Mold Dangerous In My Home
Mold growth will slowly consume building materials while dispersing tiny spores that can severely impact the health and safety of everyone on the property. This can start happening in as little as a few days. This is why a professional remediation service must be called right away to restore the property and a clean living environment for everyone.
Tips For Mold Prevention
After you learn how to remove mold, focus on preventing it in the future. Controlling dampness is the key to stopping most mold. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawl spaces, attics, walls where water leaked in from the outside, and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Stopping leaks, ensuring good ventilation in attics, keeping crawl spaces dry and routing water away from the foundation are the best defenses against mold.
Mildewcide in paint is usually effective for controlling surface mold in damp rooms like bathrooms, and outside in shady areas. Many paints already have mildewcide in them. Check with your paint dealer about mold removal products.
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How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost
That depends on so much including thesize of the impacted area, the degree of damage, whether there is stillstanding water, how much mold growth there is, what has to be removed from thearea, whether the building itself requires some level of demolition, the areayou live in, and more. There is no average cost of mold remediation and dontbelieve anyone who says otherwise. It is on a case by case basis.
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Removal Of Affected Building Materials
During this part of remediation, building materials affected by mold are removed. This includes drywall, carpeting, insulation, etc. The overall process is highly regulated by EPA standards that must be followed accordingly. Damaged items have to be packaged, sealed, and then sprayed down to eliminate any hidden spores on the outside of the bag. From there, the remediation team disposes of them accordingly.
Theyll Isolate The Affected Area
In order to avoid the spread of mold throughout the rest of your home, ground zero will be sealed off. For smaller mold occurrences, this may just mean closing doors and opening windows. For larger issues, the remediation specialists may cordon off the affected area with plastic sheeting to contain the spores.
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Cdc And Other Government Agencies On Mold Testing
You may have come across a CDC article or seen other local government agencies that have made the broad statement that mold testing is not necessary or helpful when visible mold is present.
Here at Water Mold Fire Restoration, we do agree that we can typically go directly into the mold remediation process without mold testing being performed. However, we wholeheartedly disagree that it is not helpful. Mold Testing gives a much clearer picture of the state of the indoor air quality. It not only gives a baseline for the extent of the mold issue but it more importantly gives us an idea on whether or not rooms adjacent to the mold problem are also affected.
