What is Mold Remediation?

Mold is one of those dreaded problems that no property owner wants to find. But, if you do, it’s important to get it handled correctly the first time. That’s why you want to call in a professional mold remediation specialist promptly. Leaving it too long allows the mold to grow and spread throughout your property. At this point, it is an expensive process to fix.

Spores present a health hazard and can lead to problems like skin irritation or breathing problems. It’s not something that you want to expose your guests, visitors, or family to. Moreover, the mold can cause damage to your property, which means you could have to replace drywall, floorboards, and more.

One of the problems with tackling mold yourself is that it can grow in different areas for various reasons. There are also different types of mold that require a different approach. The biggest challenge is that unless you remedy the underlying problem that allowed the mold to grow in the first place, you’ll be facing the same issue again and again.

Mold Remediation vs. Mold Removal

Although the terms mold remediation and mold removal are sometimes used interchangeably, it can be misleading. Mold remediation is the process used to return mold levels to normal. Although mold removal often sounds like you are taking away all the mold from the area, it’s not actually possible to remove all spores from a space.

Mold spores are all around us inside and outside, and they are very tiny. When they find excessive moisture, they grow into fungi, causing health concerns and property damage. Mold remediation specialists will clean up mold spores so that it no longer presents a risk to your property or people in the building.

How to Prepare for Mold Remediation

Before our team of specialists arrives, there are some steps you can take to prepare your property for the process. This includes:

• Remove as much furniture and other items from your space as you can. Our teams need to have a clear pathway without any hazards or things where the mold could spread to protect you and your home.
• On the day we arrive to do the work, it’s vital that you secure any pets you have by putting them outside, into a separate room where they cannot get out, or have them visit a friend or vet for the day.
• Because we will need a lot of space to get the job done, we’d also ask that you remove any cars or vehicles from your garage and driveway. It helps us if there is a clear pathway from the infested area to the outside.

What to Expect in the Mold Remediation Process

The mold remediation process begins when you pick up the phone and contact Firestone Restoration. Once we’ve been approached, we’ll send out our team to help. Here’s what the mold remediation process will look like:

• Our team will do a comprehensive inspection of your property to see where the mold is, how far it has spread, and if there are any property damages.
• We’ll provide you with an inspection report that you can give to your insurance company that details the extent of the problem and our solution.
• After you give us the go-ahead, we’ll set up our equipment, creating a contained space so the mold cannot spread any further. This involves us parking our truck as close as we can to the door and laying down some plastic sheets. Our equipment may also include hoses that we’ll place through the house and the infested area. If we can access the site from the outside, we’ll do that to help keep the clean-up to a minimum. If we work inside your home, windows and doors will need to be closed and stay shut until the work is done. To prevent mold spores from traveling around your home, our team will also request that you turn off your HVAC system.
• Before we enter the area, our teams will suit up in protective gear, including respirators and goggles.
• Our specialists then follow the customized remediation plan we prepared for your property. It will include removing the mold spores from walls, ceilings, floors, and from the air. The process will consist of the disposal of any porous items that were damaged by the mold; For example, drywall, fabric-covered furniture, and clothing. Unfortunately, it is impossible to confidently clean things that have been exposed to mold. Part of the disposal process includes bagging all items found in the infected area. Local regulations govern the proper disposal of these moldy materials.
• There are different cleaning methods that our team may use, including:
  • Using the wet/dry vacuum to remove mold spores from surfaces.
  • Spraying the area down with a chemical that will kill the mold. Then there is a waiting period where the workers leave, and the chemical does its job. The liquid must be completely dry before we can move on to the next step.
  • Once the chemical has killed the mold and dried, we can encapsulate the area with a whitewash that completely covers the mold spores. Our specialists will spray a little further from where the mold was found to ensure that mold won’t be able to grow there. At this time, we’ll also apply disinfectant and deodorizing agents.
• Once we have completed the cleaning process, we’ll do a final check to ensure that we’ve removed the mold spores to protect you and your property. The job is complete if the smell of mold is gone and we cannot see any more spores.

While we may have cleaned up your space, you’ll need to address the cause of the mold to be really rid of it. This could be leaky pipes, a hole in the roof, humidity that cannot escape from a bathroom or kitchen, etc. Once you’ve taken care of the source, you can rest easy knowing your mold problem is truly gone.

Mold growth in your home or office can cause health problems and damage your property. For proper cleaning and restoration of your space, contact Firestone Restoration.