While you may hear mold and associate it with an unkempt and unsanitary home, the reality is that any household can fall victim to mold and its counterparts. Whether your home has endured severe weather and flooding or you live in a humid climate (Florida, we’re looking at you), mold can pop up anywhere.
If you have invested countless dollars into cleaning products and failed to get rid of mold, it may be time to call a mold remediation company. We at Sinkhole Maps take mold remediation seriously, and we know how damaging an infestation can be to your household.
Read on for more information and a step-by-step guide on the mold remediation process.
The Mold Remediation Process
Mold is not just unpleasant to look at – it poses several health risks and can destroy the inner workings of your foundation. So, what do mold remediation companies do to solve this issue? Below are the steps of remediation and why each one of them matters.
Step 1: Finding the Source & Sanitizing
The first step in mold remediation is to find the source. Depending on the severity of your problem, this may take some time. This step is crucial because it sets up the rest of the process. It is easier to stop mold if you find its primary growth location.
For example, surface-level mold in a bathroom sink or tub will take much less time to find and sanitize than mold growing underneath the drywall. Your techs may use a thermal imaging device to find high-moisture areas.
After your technicians find the source, they may apply an antimicrobial solution to prevent additional mold from growing (the agent is temporary and will not prevent mold growth for long periods).
Step 2: Quarantine
Don’t worry – we’re not talking about you going into quarantine. Instead, technicians will contain the mold in your home to prevent spreading to areas that do not have mold and creating an even bigger mess.
The goal of quarantining the mold is to prevent it from spreading spores or bacteria to you, your family, or your pets. Plus, it makes it much easier for your techs to clean the mold thoroughly.
Cross-contamination is a substantial risk if you have mold in a damp, humid area. That risk doubles if your air has high humidity levels (a common ailment in Florida).
Step 3: Getting Rid of Moldy Items
While mold usually sticks to humid areas, it can also infect items such as:
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Toiletries
- Dry food goods
The mold remediation technicians will investigate your house for any additional possessions or items you have with potential mold on them – and confiscate any unwanted materials immediately.
If your home has hurricane or flood water damage, your drywall and insulation may need to be wholly removed if mold is present.
Getting rid of these materials is essential for ensuring your home is safe and healthy – painting over it or using cement to fill in moldy cracks will not solve the underlying problem.
Step 4: Eliminating the Source
After removing the moldy materials, your technicians will begin eliminating the mold from its source.
They will most likely use a high-intensity air filter to prevent spores from spreading and wear full-face masks to protect themselves. Techs will pull mold spores and bacteria from the affected areas with an industrial HEPA vacuum.
Other commonplace tools include a HEPA filtered sander for mold-infested wood and industrial-strength cleaning solutions after the mold seems eradicated. The elimination step is arguably the most vital to the remediation process, as it effectively rids your home of the dangerous spores developing throughout your house.
Step 5: Checking for More Mold & Aftercare
The job does not end after the mold dissipates! Following your appointment, your technicians will check back to ensure new growth has not occurred and that your house is clear of mold spores.
Generally, mold remediation professionals sample your air or the surface where mold likely grows after eliminating the source. They also check the moisture in your home and dry any damp areas thoroughly.
After your mold remediation becomes verified, there are a few critical steps to take for aftercare. Remember to keep an eye on the area, clean it with Borax if you notice mold growing, and try to prevent excess moisture from entering your Florida home.
Why You Shouldn’t DIY Mold Remediation
As mentioned before, mold is dangerous. Those with asthma, the elderly, and young children are particularly susceptible to mold poisoning.
Choosing to DIY a mold remediation procedure increases the chances of illness, cross-contamination, and recurring mold. Below are a few in-depth reasons you may want to reconsider doing mold remediation yourself.
Health Risks
Some mold is relatively harmless and goes away with little effort (such as mildew). Other molds, like black mold, cause severe allergic reactions and:
- Shortness of breath
- Lethargy
- Itchy skin
- Swollen eyes and throat
Performing remediation as an unqualified professional magnifies these risks. Even if you wear a mask, if you do not have the proper clothing or ventilation materials in place, you risk the health of yourself and your family.
Cost
Hiring a professional is expensive, but purchasing enormous amounts of cleaning products isn’t cheap either.
While cost is not as potentially life-threatening as an allergic reaction, throwing your money down the drain to no avail is frustrating (and unnecessary). You will likely spend just as much on cleaners as paying a professional to destroy the mold.
DIY-ing mold remediation is a lose-lose when it comes to cost – you lose money, and chances are you don’t get rid of the mold.
Assurance
When you hire a specialist, you know your home is clean and mold-free. You know that they took every necessary step to keep your family safe and went above and beyond to keep mold at bay.
If you DIY mold remediation, you do not have that same level of reassurance. Unless you are a licensed professional, you cannot know whether you got every mold spore out or not – specifically if it grew in drywall or insulation.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, after reading this article, you’re no longer wondering, “What do mold remediation companies do?”
Mold is unavoidable, but you can prevent it from infesting your Sunshine State home. Contact us for a mold remediation inspection if you feel you may have significant contaminants in your household – we’ll have you back up and running in no time.
Are you interested in moving to Florida? Check out our guide on what you need to know – environmental changes, sinkholes, and why everyone wants to become a Floridian.