What To Expect and How to Prepare for a Mold Remediation

Any mold professional should be able to explain your mold removal project in plain English.  If a contractor is unable to explain the basic processes and steps of mold remediation and mold removal in layman’s terms, be very wary.  
Once in the home, here’s what to expect from a professional:

• Proper safety gear should be worn when dealing with mold. A high-quality, high filtration face mask is a must, as are vinyl or neoprene gloves. A full protective suit is recommended when using harsh chemicals and for larger mold remediation projects.
• Mold professionals seal off the work area, often using plastic sheeting so that mold spores do not become dispersed throughout the home.
• Mold professionals use expensive, professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc.  Regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
• After the mold is physically removed from its source, the air should be cleaned of airborne mold spores using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air scrubbers and air exchange (i.e. replacing dirty moldy air with clean fresh air through simple ventilation or more sophisticated negative air controls for bigger jobs)
• When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air). Only HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores. Regular filters will not work and could make the problem worse.
• Mold professionals usually discard moldy porous building materials such as drywall, insulation, and baseboards.
• Mold professionals will use an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold and mold stains after the demo.
• Mold professionals often use a sealer or encapsulant to make the treated areas more resistant to water damage and mold, and also to help with odor control.

How Do You Prepare for Mold Remediation in Your Home?

1. Isolate the Area
If you notice mold in your home, try to identify the source of moisture coming in your home and block off that area as well as you can to prevent spores from spreading any further. This can be done by covering air vents and doorways leading to the infested area with large plastic sheets. This will prevent the mold from having extra room to grow until the professionals can get the job finished.

2. Avoid Extra Ventilation
Mold requires moisture and airflow to grow. Fight your urges to try and dry out a moldy area by opening the windows or using fans. Flowing air will allow the mold spores to spread, giving them the potential to invade more areas of your home.

3. Leave It Alone
You may be tempted to get out the bleach and cleaning materials when you notice a patch of mold, but it is best left alone. Cleaning can cause more mold particles to become airborne and may even thrive from left-behind moisture. Some may think that removing the wall will fix the problem, but, since mold moves through the air, this can move it further into your home. Trust the mold remediation.