You know the signs of allergies. Runny nose, red eyes, sneezing, and general malaise. You pop your allergy meds and hope that this season will pass quickly.
But what happens when the allergy season passes and your allergy symptoms don’t? The allergens that make you sick could be a product of your indoor environment.
A mold remediation expert will help you find the source of your sickness and then rid your residence or business of the toxins that are making you sick. Mold experts know how to test, treat, and remove mold and other harmful organisms.
Keep reading to learn what you should expect with a mold remediation treatment.
What is Mold Remediation?
Mold grows everywhere. You most likely have mold in your home and business that doesn’t make you sick. However, mold becomes a problem when it moves beyond the safe and natural levels and begins to make individuals sick or ruins the property on which it is growing.
When mold begins to release allergens that damage or irritate your lungs, you call a mold expert. Mold experts will focus on reducing mold levels to a normal level again. They aim to create an environment that no longer poses health risks.
Experts in mold services follow basic steps.
Steps for Mold Remediation
If your mold area is less than 10 square feet or around 3 feet by 3 feet, then according to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can remediate the mold on your own.
You should still call a remediation contractor if you discover an area of mold around this size. You may have mold that extends beyond this point that you cannot see. A contractor has the experience to spot mold that the average person may not see.
When you’re remediating the mold on your own, use an EPA-approved biocide to kill the mold you see. Do not just use chlorine bleach as the EPA does not approve of it, and it can cause its own health problems on top of the mold sickness you’re already experiencing.
When you call in a mold remediation expert, you can expect the following steps for mold remediation.
Step 1: Testing
For proper mold removal, the mold experts first need to find the mold. They will conduct multiple tests using different methods.
Often reliable contractors will use bioluminescence technology. In common terms, the contractor will use a special light to see the mold that is present.
Mold remediation experts will also use an air entrapment test to determine the presence and quantity of mold.
Proper testing will also help with VOC control, something else that can make residents and occupants of a building sick.
Contractors should also test the air and surfaces once they’ve finished the remediation process to ensure they’ve removed the mold and returned your air to a safe level.
Step 2: Enclose and Air Out
Once your air experts have identified the mold, they will contain it and then ventilate the area. Often mold grows because of a lack of ventilation.
Ironically, the very same technology that is encouraging energy-efficient houses also leads to more mold spores. Energy-efficient houses are tighter structures, which means less ventilation and air movement. When you trap air and moisture, mold will grow.
So your mold experts will find the mold, contain it, and then ventilate it.
They will use air filtration devices or AFDs like air scrubbers to prevent disturbed and airborne mold spores from moving into uninfected areas of the building.
Step 3: Disinfect Bacteria
Once the air is scrubbed, the mold remediation experts will remove all infected materials. This may mean you will have to get rid of items on which the mold is growing or has affected.
They will then use bacteria disinfecting products to kill off the bacteria that caused the mold in the first place.
The best mold remediation experts will use eco-responsible materials that do not release harmful byproducts or VOCs. They will remove mold, odors, allergens, and bacteria with their thorough cleaning and disinfecting services.
Step 4: Decontaminate Air Ducts
Your air ducts move air and the mold in it throughout your building and home. So logically the decontamination process will include decontaminating your air ducts. Trust your mold remediation team with microbial control as well as air quality services.
The remediation experts will use the same processes to clean your air ducts that they used to clean the surfaces of your home. They’ll clean out any dirt and debris they find in the ducts first. Then they’ll apply disinfectant to kill off the bacteria and mold.
This process will leave you with clean air and odor control.
In addition to using the Bactronizing process on all surfaces of your home, we can also use it to clean and disinfect your air ducts. We’ll clean out all dust and debris first and then apply the disinfecting agents to kill mold, bacteria, and reduce odors. (rewrite)
Step 5: Identify and Fix the Source
A good mold remediation expert will do more than just remove mold. They will prevent it.
Your mold contractor should find the issue that led to your mold in the first place. At this point, the mold contractor may recommend a subcontractor to come in and fix the hardware that caused the problems.
Step 6: Trap the Mold
If your mold contractor cannot remove the mold, they will encapsulate it so it cannot grow. Paint or specialized materials can prevent the mold from continuing to grow, spread, and make you sick.
Quality mold experts will provide you with a healthy-environment certificate that proves you went through the mold remediation process and now have a healthy home that follows antimicrobial guidelines. Also, good contractors will give you a one-year warranty that guarantees the health of your property.
Seek Mold Remediation Today
Basic mold remediation takes time. In the end, you’ll be able to take deep lungfuls of air, knowing that you have a clean building. Your allergy symptoms will disappear, at least until allergy season comes back in the spring.
If you suspect mold in your home or business, contact us. We have the expertise you need to deal with your mold and keep your residence safe and healthy once again.
