Understanding Mold Remediation

9/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga knows beyond mold.

When water damage occurs in a home or commercial property, mold growth is likely to follow. In fact, mold can begin growing within 48 hours of exposure to moisture.

If you are faced with a mold issue, knowing what the next steps are is vital, which is why we’re providing an overview of what mold remediation is in this blog.

You’ve probably seen ads for mold remediation and mold removal, but the latter of the two is a fallacy. Removing all mold from a home or business is simply impossible. Instead, a qualified restoration company focuses on mold remediation, which has the goal of getting mold levels back to normal and natural levels.

Yes, mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. They only become an issue when a minor problem is left untreated and turns into a major infestation.

During mold remediation, technicians will isolate the contaminated areas. Depending on the level of remediation, this can be done by either closing all doors and windows or effectively sealing off all doorways and openings with a polyethylene sheeting. Dust in the contaminated areas is then suppressed through misting.

Wet and mold-damaged materials are then removed and discarded in plastic bags. All areas exposed to and affected by the mold are then thoroughly cleaned and dried. A HEPA vacuum can be brought in during some cases to help remove contamination and debris.

The mold area is treated with a biocide and then left overnight to get to work killing the mold spores. The following day, the mold remediation crew will return to encapsulate the affected area and beyond.

If you believe your home or business may have a mold problem, you will want to act quickly. Evaluate the size of the problem, and if the moldy area is more than 10 square feet, it is time to call in the professionals.

The professionals you bring in should be highly trained and certified in areas like:

• Applied microbial remediation
• Water damage restoration
• Applied structural drying