Excessive mold growth and dampness can pose risks in indoor environments. The main goals of mold remediation are to help reduce mold exposures as well as structural damage that can be caused by the underlying causes of dampness. Effective mold remediation requires the use of efficient equipment as well as the physical removal of mold in order to prevent ducts from structural damages. Different strategies should also be employed to reduce the operatives and occupants risks during the remediation. Ongoing interventions that involve keeping all surfaces dry and clean are essential in preventing the growth and spread of molds.
The Mold Remediation Process
Before even commencing the remediation process, it is crucial to document the current mold situation through photos, videos, and writing. Documentation paves the way for the development of a remediation plan through answering some typical questions which include:
- Which areas are going to be covered
- The work’s time frame
- The persons involved in the remediation process
- If there is the need of the homeowners relocating
- If some vital testing should be done in the process or not
Documentation should be followed by the calculation of the extent of contamination that has taken place. With respect to this, mold does not grow in one area; thus it is vital to figure out the extent of contamination that has taken place. This is also crucial in figuring out the best approach to employ during the removal and clean-up procedure. It is also a relevant procedure since the primary goal of remediation is to remove all the growing molds as well as prevent their contamination to the neighboring homes.
Step 1: Assessment of Moisture
The first step in moisture remediation is the assessment of moisture. This involves looking at the visibly growing molds at different parts of the home. Molds can sometimes be invisible intruders since most of them develop behind what one is able to see. This means that such deceitful behaviors require inquisitive thinking. It is also essential to bear in mind that most mold grows in moisture or in areas where there is stagnant water. With respect to this, it is crucial to have a glimpse of where moisture emanates from and how it gets into your home. Having identified the sources of moisture, it is easy to locate all the mold growths even those which are not visible to the eye of the homeowner.
Step 2: HVAC System Remediation
This process is followed by the remediation of the ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems. These systems may also require to be sealed or deactivated in order to prevent them from contamination as well as limit the diffusion of mold dust and spores throughout the home. HVAC systems that have been contaminated require professional remediation. The removal and remediation of contaminated contents is also a crucial process. Before commencing structural remediation, all the contents whether contaminated or non-contaminated should be removed from the affected areas. However, the contaminated contents should be thoroughly cleaned using suitable methods to prevent the reintroduction of mold back into the remediated areas.
Step 3: Mold Removal from Building Structure & HEPA Vacuuming
The process of removing molds from the building’s structure is very critical. It is worth noting that both dead and live mold fragments contribute to the development of mycotoxins. Some of the cleaning strategies that can be employed to correct these include: cleaning porous materials such as wallpapers, drywall, ceiling tiles, and carpets. These materials should be removed and discarded for proper remediation to take place. HEPA vacuuming can be used to remediate porous materials that have been contaminated with mold spores. However, it is advisable to clean such materials professionally. After cleaning the porous materials, it is always advisable to discard them to prevent them from further mold spread. Semi-porous materials can be hectic when it comes to remediating them since cleaning them is a process that requires a chain of activities including scrubbing, scraping, and HEPA vacuuming. During the remediation process, the integrity of all the structural components should be examined in order to make the right decision on if a replacement is needed or not. For non-porous components such as glass, cleaning and scrubbing are more than enough.
To effectively remove mold, it is recommended that detergent, water, and the soap should also be used in the physical removal of mold. Diluted bleaches are also recommended in the physical removal of mold. Antimicrobials and fungicides can be controversial in mold remediation due to the toxicity concerns as well as the questionable effectiveness in preventing and cleaning the mold. In instances where there is the presence of contaminated water, biocides might be required. It is recommended to leave the remediated surfaces without encapsulating them because encapsulation may offer refuge to mold particles or even distribute mold back to indoor environments.
Step 4: Disposal of Contaminated Materials
After cleaning and remediating all the required components, all the contaminated materials need to be disposed of. All the contaminated materials that have been removed from the building should be wrapped in polythene bags in order to prevent bacterium dispersal. There are no other disposal requirements needed in the disposal of mold-contaminated materials. After drying and removing all the mold-contaminated materials, visible trances such as dust and debris extracted during the remediation process should be removed using a HEPA vacuum cleaner or a damp wiper. Before winding up with the containment process, different clearance procedures should be employed to ensure that all the moisture and water problems have been addressed so that the mold removal procedure has been completed. Clearance procedures are varied and may include olfactory evaluations, visual inspection, moisture measurement, black and white glove test which are made to ensure that all dust has been removed, and airborne mold sampling to ensure that all outdoor and indoor mold spores have been removed.
Count on Lone Star Pro Services for Professional Mold Remediation
When it comes to large projects, it is crucial to conduct a post remediation verification something that should be done by a professional, such as the experts at Lone Star Pro Services. Professional cleaning in the entire interior should also be conducted and this should be done in all hard and soft surfaces including furniture, blinds, and draperies. Rebuilding during the remediation process is also required. This is something that should be done in the proper manner to prevent future growth and spread of mold. Finally, after rebuilding and cleaning, all the cleaned surfaces should be returned home after being fully dried.
Call Lone Star Pro Services at (832) 990-9499 or contact us online to learn more about our mold remediation services in Houston and the surrounding areas!