What is Mold Remediation?
When a house has a significant amount of mold growth, the health of the home’s occupants is in danger. Mold spores are airborne and can cause allergies, respiratory problems and more serious health issues. Mold also can damage materials in the home, causing them to warp or rot. Those living in the home should be aware of the signs of mold: discoloration, musty odors, a feeling of heaviness or difficulty breathing.
Remediation of mold typically starts with a complete inspection of the affected area. An experienced restoration company will determine the extent of the mold, moisture levels and any water damage caused by the growth. They will then determine what steps are necessary to remediate the problem. Depending on the type and severity of mold, a contents pack out can be done. This is when a restoration company removes saveable items such as textiles, hard goods, photos and electronics from the area where the mold is and takes them to be restored off site.
The first step is to contain the mold growth and prevent it from spreading during the cleaning process. This is usually accomplished by placing containment barriers around the area and creating negative air pressure. This will keep spores from spreading to other areas of the house during the remediation process. Mold containment is followed by removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials such as drywall, insulation and carpet. These items are often thrown away in a sealed bag to prevent spread of mold spores during disposal. New drywall, insulation and wood trim are then installed after the area has been cleaned and treated with antifungal and antimicrobial agents.
After the cleanup is finished, dehumidifiers and fans are set up to dry the area. Once the area is dry, a building inspector can issue a clearance test to certify that the area has been cleaned thoroughly. Once the clearance is approved, reconstruction services can start to restore the damaged areas of the home.
It is important to remember that even after a thorough mold remediation, it can be nearly impossible to completely eliminate all mold in the home. This is because mold spores are always present in the environment. However, the goal of a thorough mold remediation is to reduce mold spores in the environment to a level below what is considered normal fungal ecology.
What is Water Damage Remediation?
Water damage remediation is a critical step in the restoration process. It includes steps to clean up, dry and sanitize a property following water damage. Remediation also includes repairs that may need to be made to items like carpeting, furniture and walls. It is important that water damage remediation is performed as soon as possible after an incident. This is because water can cause permanent damage to a property in as little as 24 hours.
The first step in the water damage remediation process is to shut off any source of water or electricity. This is to prevent further damage and to protect the health of occupants. It is also important to remove any materials that could be damaged by water. This includes items such as rugs, pillows and draperies. It is also a good idea to remove any books from shelves and to press them flat to avoid warping.
Once the source of water has been shut off, the next step is to extract any standing water. This is usually done with a commercial-grade truck-mounted water extraction machine. This can be followed by the use of dehumidifiers to remove any moisture in the air. In some cases, this can be enough to restore a property to pre-loss condition. In other cases, it may be necessary to cut out drywall down to the studs, remove carpeting and carpet padding, and apply antimicrobials to prevent mold growth.
This is where the work of a professional water damage remediation company comes into play. It is important that a qualified company is hired to perform this work as they will have the proper equipment and knowledge of how to properly dry a property. This will ensure that the property is restored to pre-loss conditions and that the best outcomes are achieved for the homeowner.
It is also worth noting that many of the steps in the water damage remediation process are covered by insurance. This can be helpful for homeowners as it can help them to avoid paying out of pocket for these services. For this reason, it is a good idea to always check with your insurance provider to make sure that any services that you need are covered.
What is Mold Removal?
Mold isn’t just an ugly fungus that can damage property and devalue it; some types of molds are toxic to humans, triggering life-threatening health symptoms. Typically, mold isn’t noticed until someone in the household suffers from coughing, watery eyes, runny nose or congestion. If these symptoms disappear when people spend time outdoors, that’s a telltale sign there’s a mold problem in the building.
Mold remediation is the process of removing mold from property. It’s a highly specialized and regulated service, and it includes a number of important steps.
The first step is the assessment and planning phase, where a mold remediation specialist comes out to check out the property. They’ll take air samples, look for the source of mold, and determine the best plan for handling it. They’ll also take photos of the impacted areas to document everything and contact insurance companies.
After the initial inspection, a cleaning and disinfecting phase begins. Moldy surfaces are scrubbed, and all non-porous surfaces and wood materials are wiped down with disposable wipes. The contaminated items are removed and placed in plastic bags to keep spores from spreading throughout the property. The items are then disposed of in accordance with EPA standards.
Next, the impacted areas are isolated and sealed with polyurethane or plastic sheeting to keep spores from spreading to other parts of the building. The affected area is treated with biocide or fungicide to kill the mold and prevent it from coming back. This is followed by a drying phase, which may involve fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the process.
In this step, the restoration company will take an inventory of saveable contents like textiles, hard goods, electronics and more. If they can be saved, they’ll be removed from the site for restoration offsite. Then, any building materials that have been contaminated by the mold are removed and disposed of properly. This can include drywall, insulation and carpeting. This is often a time-consuming portion of the project, especially when a lot of mold is involved. It’s important to address the cause of the mold infestation at this point, too, such as repairing any leaky pipes or roofs that are leading to moisture buildup.