Mold Remediation – The Basics

Mold remediation is the process of removing contaminated material and addressing the high spore count. The process includes air filtration and isolation of non-contaminated areas to prevent cross-contamination.

It starts with an inspection to determine the level of contamination. Then the mold removal professionals clean all non-porous surfaces. Any contaminated materials are removed and bagged for disposal.

Inspection

When a property is reported as having mold, an inspector will visit the site and perform a visual inspection. He or she will also take photos to document the area of concern. Moisture meters and infrared cameras may be used to locate moisture in hard-to-reach areas. Air samples may be taken to measure the number of spores in the air and to compare indoor spore counts with outdoor spore counts.

A professional mould inspector is trained to follow subtle clues to locate mold. He or she can often find mold in places that a homeowner would never suspect, such as behind a shower or on a ceiling.

Surface mold that is easily accessible can be removed for an average cost of $500 to $1,000. However, if the mold spreads to drywall and other materials that require reconstruction and/or moisture control measures, this will increase the overall project costs. In addition, contaminated soft fabrics may be unable to be cleaned and will need to be replaced.

Cleaning

Cleaning is the most basic step in the mold remediation process. It can include scrubbing the area and disposing of porous objects, as well as washing and disinfecting non-porous surfaces. Cleaning must take place under controlled conditions to prevent re-growth.

A good guideline is to use a 10% solution of household chlorine bleach, which works on many types of mould. However, some types of mould are more difficult to remove. For example, cladosporium and fusarium are fast-spreading types of mould that can cause fingernail infections in healthy people and systemic septic infection in those with compromised immune systems.

Professionals know to follow subtle clues and can find mould growth in places that homeowners may miss, such as behind drywall or in the HVAC system. They are also trained to use fungistatic and fungicidal treatments, which are chemical treatments that make the mould non-viable. A good indication that the problem has been fixed is a return visit and no new visible mould or musty odors.

Disinfection

While complete mold removal is impossible and undesirable, it is possible to clean contaminated materials and restore them to a state in which they are no longer growing. This is known as remediation.

Surface molds that are not growing can be lightly scrubbed with a bleach cleaning mixture (1 cup of bleach and 1 quart of water). When scrubbing, wear protective gloves and eyewear. Use a pump sprayer to avoid spreading mold spores into the air.

For more persistent or widespread contamination, limited containment can be a helpful remedial measure. Containment can be achieved by enclosing the contaminated area in a room with no vents, or by covering floors and walls with 6-mil fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting.

The encloser should have slit entry and covering flaps to prevent escape of spores. Dehumidifiers and fans should be used to dry the contaminated area after cleaning. If the contaminant is wood, it can be sealed with pigmented shellac that contains a mildewcide to help prevent future growth.

Remediation

Once all the mold spores are removed and the surfaces cleaned, they must be sanitized. This process consists of spraying the affected area with an EPA-approved biocide (moldicide). Then, the surface is rinsed clean and allowed to dry.

During this process, a building’s occupants must leave the mold remediation area. This is because negative air machines with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters will be used to remove spores, dust and other airborne contaminants.

If a person has a severe allergy or sensitivities to the mold, they may have to leave for the duration of the cleaning process as well. However, if the mold is only in one room or the basement, then it is likely that the occupants will not have to move out of the home during the entire remediation process.

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