You may have concerns about mold growth when your property has water damage. Mold exposure ruins building materials and creates a health hazard. When you discover this problem, it’s important to take action. Mold remediation helps remove mold and create a safer environment for occupants.
Mold will grow just about anywhere that provides organic material and moisture. That includes everything from wood and ceiling tiles to carpet and fabrics. Homes face the risk of mold growth. The following steps are key for safe mold remediation in Fort Myers, FL and Southwest Florida.
Assessment and Isolation
You need to understand the problem before doing anything else. A mold remediation specialist is the best person for this task. They’ll inspect the property, locate the source of the mold, and determine the best course of action. The situation may require polyurethane or plastic sheeting to isolate the area and reduce spore spread.
Wear Protective Gear
You need protection when dealing with mold. Mold remediation teams wear protective gear that reduces mold exposure risks. Common types of gear include respirator masks, booties, and goggles. Inhaling mold spores is a health hazard, so protection is important.
Limit Dust Movement
Dust is a mode of travel for mold spores. That’s why dust suppression is an important part of mold remediation. Removing certain materials will cause dust to become airborne. If that happens, mold spores will hitch a ride to infect areas that are clean.
The solution is to dampen the dust so it stays put. Workers may mist surfaces before disturbing the areas. Instead of sweeping with a dry broom, workers may use damp wipes or cloths instead. Some cutting tools even use mist attachments that release moisture while cutting. An air scrubber removes airborne mold spores, contaminants, and dust during cleaning.
Remove Contaminated Building Materials
It’s important to remove building materials that have mold contamination. This may include drywall, insulation, carpeting, and other materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides safety guidelines for this process. The guidelines discuss removing items, bagging them, and spraying to eliminate spores.
Clean the Area
The goal here is to remove residual spores and prevent regrowth. Scrub brushes or nylon brushes with stiff bristles are good for cleaning general surfaces. Wire brushes are often the choice for deep-cleaning wood framing. For delicate cleaning, natural fiber, soft brass, or nylon brushes are good for avoiding surface damage.
Specialized antimicrobial cleaners kill or stop the re-growth of lingering mold or spores. The EPA lists these cleaners as pesticides, and they should have an official EPA registration number. The number means the product has approval for protecting public health. The EPA guidelines also provide information on how to disinfect or dispose of the used cleaning tools.
Restoration
Some items with mold damage are possible to save. A contents packout removes these items and transfers them to a climate-controlled facility. The items receive specialized cleaning, deodorizing, and storage until the infected area is clean. Photos, electronics, clothes, furniture, and documents are common contents packout items.
Sanitize Entry and Exit Areas
The remediation team removes the plastic barriers surrounding the affected area. Workers place the plastic into a heavy-duty bag, seal it, and dispose of it as household or construction waste. The team may use a HEPA-approved vacuum to capture leftover spores and stop recontamination.
Dry the Space
The remediation team dries the area so it meets mold remediation humidity standards. Dryers and fans are the tools of choice for this process. The team may use a high-velocity air mover for rapid drying and improved ventilation. A heavy-duty dehumidifier is another common tool used in the drying process. Moisture meters and thermal cameras are options for locating damp areas hidden from sight.
Safety Inspection
The area isn’t officially clean until it passes inspection by a mold remediation expert. Visual cues, humidity levels, and moisture readings help determine if the job is successful. After passing inspection, the area is safe for occupancy and reconstruction.
Mold Removal vs. Mold Remediation
Many people think that mold removal is the same as mold remediation. That makes it difficult to know which service you actually need. Both handle a mold problem, but the approaches are different.
Mold removal is more concerned with removing visible mold. It involves cleaning mold from surfaces and throwing away items that have mold growth. Cleaners usually consider the job finished once mold is no longer visible. But mold never just appears for no reason. There’s likely a problem with moisture, humidity, or hidden damage that remains after the mold is gone. Conditions like these almost guarantee that mold will return.
Mold remediation addresses the entire problem. Instead of just removing visible mold, there’s a focus on preventing repeat occurrences. Knowing the difference is important because mold spreads when spores travel through the air. Removing mold without containment or moisture control may spread spores into clean areas. Remediation uses containment, filtration, and dust control to reduce that risk.
Choose a Mold Remediation Company
Picking a reliable mold remediation company is important. The job involves several important steps, including containment, air control, and careful removal. Sloppy work may spread spores into clean areas, miss hidden damage, and leave moisture behind. This almost guarantees that you’ll deal with repeat mold growth and more repairs.
The EPA states that repairing water problems and quickly drying materials is important for effective remediation. Shortcuts might save time, but they’re likely to leave mold behind. A reliable company follows official industry practices and never cuts corners.
In addition to EPA guidelines, the ANSI/IICRC S520 sets certain standards for mold remediation. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) created the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation. It has the approval of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Credentials and training tell you a lot about a mold remediation company. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a disaster cleanup guide that may help. It recommends looking for professionals affiliated with or certified by groups such as IICRC, ACAC, AIHA, or NEHA. You should also ask how the company plans to control dust and spores.
Clear communication helps as well. A reliable company explains what materials they plan to remove and what cleaning steps they plan to use. They also explain what you should expect after the work ends. Watch for red flags like vague promises, pressure tactics, or a plan that focuses only on painting over surfaces.
Get Reliable Help
There’s no time to waste when you need mold remediation. iMold provides trusted remediation services in Fort Myers and Southwest Florida. Call to schedule your appointment today.
