What Is Mold Remediation And Does My Home Need It?

The problem of mold generation, especially in a household environment, has become quite prominent in the last century. And, the way air pollution is increasing, it’ll get even more alarming in the upcoming decade.

I mean, look at this stat here: according to WHO, almost seven million premature deaths are related to air pollution. And, amongst them, almost 30% are caused by mold-related issues.

However, here’s the thing.

If you want, you can definitely prevent mold generation in your house by keeping the overall humidity level under 50%. Keep reading to know how you can do it.

What Is Mold?

“Oh, what’s that musty smell? Where’s it coming from?”

I think you’ve already asked this question to yourself at least once this month while crinkling your nose when bathing in your bathroom.

However, the truth is that the scent is caused due to mold buildup. Even if the pile-up is too small, it can still smell quite badly. So, it’s best if you can get rid of it as soon as possible.

Now, when it comes to taking care of a small amount of mold, you can do it by yourself. Or, you can search for “mold removal near me” on Google. It’s the safest option, to be honest.

And, before I move on to the next section, here’s something you need to know.

The spores of mold can spread quite quickly and easily. Therefore, if you don’t take care of it as quickly as possible, it can spread through your house within a week or two.

What Can You Do To Stop Mold Growth In Your House?

Honestly, though, the best way to prevent mold growth is all about identifying and controlling moisture in your house.

For that, you’ll need to know what can prompt the growth of the same.

• Leaks in the roof and indoor plumbing.
• Humidifiers.
• Outdoor drainage issues.
• Damp crawl spaces and basements.
• Steam from the kitchen or bathroom.
• Condensation on cooler surfaces.
• Drying wet clothes inside a room.
• Venting a clothes dryer inside your house.

Besides, improper or poor ventilation in a cooking or heating space can prompt this issue too.

However, if you’re proactive enough, you can promptly take care of this issue. Here’s what you need to do while you’re at it.

• Ensure that the air in your house is flowing freely. Use an exhaust fan in your kitchen if you can. Also, try to keep the dryer vent outside of your room.
• If your city has experienced a flood or something as such, try to clean up and dry your house within 24 hours. Otherwise, it might prompt the growth of mold.
• In case there’s any leak available in your house’s walls or roof, make sure to take care of it as quickly as possible. It’ll prevent moisture from getting into your room.
• Whenever you’re cleaning your bathroom, don’t forget to use a mold-killing product. This way, it can kill whatever’s piled up in the room even before it can grow.
• If you’re thinking about painting your house, try to add a mold inhibitor product in the same. You can find them in a house-painting store.

Besides, I’ll also suggest you replace or remove upholstery that is too soaked. Instead, you can keep it under the sunlight to make sure that it’s drying quickly.

Mold Remediation Procedure – A Step-By-Step Guide

A mold remediation procedure usually goes through a five-step method. And, each of them is quite distinctive in their approach. Therefore, if you don’t have any idea about them, I’ll ask you to opt for a mold removal service. Also, they’ll have the right equipment and all. So, there’s no need to provide them with anything at all.

Step – 1: Applying An Antimicrobial

If your house has recently been exposed to massive water damage but hasn’t shown any sign of mold growth, then the first step would be to apply an antimicrobial. This, in turn, can kill off the existing spore there and prevent their growth any further.

Step – 2: Source Identification

If the mold growth in your house is clearly visible, then the organization will try to identify its source first. It’s often found in a place that’s located near a moisture source or has been exposed to a moisture source previously. Usually, the professional will use an inspection tool, like thermal imaging, to find the source and determine the reason behind the same.

Step – 3: Containment

If your house offers the right condition, the mold spores available in the same can grow pretty quickly. Hence, once the professional has found out the source, they’ll try to isolate the area to reduce the spread to some extent. Containment can also be critical in lowering the potential impact of cross-contamination on any other unaffected area.

Step – 4: Filtering The Air 

While the process of air filtration is ongoing, the mold spores can get disturbed and become airborne. Hence, alongside containment, it’ll be important to clean up your house’s air too. In this aspect, the professional will use a HEPA-based air machine to restore the air circulation of your home. It’ll eliminate mold spores, MVOCs, dust, and other harmful debris perfectly.

Step – 5: Clean Up

If the mold infestation in your house has increased too massively, you may have to opt for a complete removal procedure. It will commonly involve taking care of your –

• Drywall,
• Wood trim,
• Insulation,
• Carpet, and
• Furniture.

Once the procedure is completed, the hygienist will offer a final clearance test to offer you a little bit of peace of mind.

Why Must You Go For A Professional Mold Remediation?

As mentioned before, the process of mold remediation can be quite complex and dangerous to some extent. Therefore, if you’re considering working in this regard, you should always focus on opting for a professional. Here’s why.

• When you’re dealing with mold, you should wear proper equipment. For example, a professional will wear a high-filtration mask and neoprene gloves to ensure that they are not breathing in the airborne mold. Aside from that, wearing a protective suit will be recommended as well, which can only be provided by a dedicated organization.
• Many mold remediation companies also perform a restoration procedure, just like a general contractor. This usually involves cleaning out your whole house, removing the mold, and dehumidifying everything else. Hence, if you ask the professional to do the same, it can cost much less as a whole.

Finally, a professional working with an organization will also be much more experienced than a handyman. Thus, they’ll be prepared for almost every situation and offer the best possible service to everyone. Also, their access to equipment will be much better as well.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

As of now, the article has talked about the topic of mold remediation only. However, now, we will focus on something else – the queries you might have regarding the article and the titular topic. Hence, in this section, I will focus on that properly.

What Do You Need To Know About Mold Remediation?

The process of mold remediation usually involves cleaning, removing, and disinfecting the mold-contaminated area of your house. The procedure is generally undertaken by someone who’s proper equipment and can remove mold thoroughly.

What Should You Do Until Help Arrives?

Firstly, I’ll ask you to shut down the HVAC system and any other air-moving equipment that is being used in the room. Then, you’ll need to prevent access to the mold-infested room for everyone else. It should be entered if the person has worn proper equipment. Finally, you should also try to determine the water source. This will make it easier for the professional mold remover to start working quickly.

What Should You Remove After Mold Remediation?

Usually, when the mold remediation process is completed, you’ll need to throw away every kind of porous item you have, including linens, carpet, drywall, and other similar products. Besides, I’ll ask you to discard non-valuable papers that have been damaged by water. If you have any wet yet irreplaceable item, such as the wedding album of your parents, sitting in the room, you can opt for freeze-drying.

What Should You Ask A Mold Remediation Company?

Before you opt for a mold remediation company, you have to ask at least five questions to them. Here’s what you should note down for the same –

• Has the professional been insured?
• How much experience do they have?
• What kind of mold testing and removing do they perform?
• Are the technicians certified and well-trained?
• How will the mold removal procedure go?

Should I Move Out During The Procedure?

Yes, you should always get out of the room when someone is cleaning out the mold. In some cases, the room will be sealed off for the procedure. So, if you’ve something important in that room, be sure to remove it quickly.

The Bottom Line 

So, that’ll be all for this article. If you need any other help or assistance regarding the same, don’t forget to comment below. We will help you out in any way we can.