It’s Tuesday night, and your partner utters those four little words no one ever wants to hear: “Honey, we have mold.” What should you do? First, you should photograph the damage for insurance, record keeping, and any mold fans on your Christmas card list. Then you should contact a professional mold remediation and repair company. The mold remediation process is a job that should almost always be completed by trained professionals. These are the five steps those pros will likely take when they show up to rid your residence of mold.
Residential mold remediation can be a tricky task, commercial as well. However, with the right remediation team by your side, the process can be a lot smoother and protect your property from further contamination.
They’ll Assess the Situation and Form a Plan of Attack
If there’s visible mold in your home, that often means that there’s hidden mold as well, such as under rugs and behind drywall. The first step in the mold remediation process will be to perform a thorough inspection of the affected area to figure out just how large the issue really is. If the contamination is minor, this visit will likely be brief. If the mold growth has spread, however, or if those rugs and that drywall need to be removed, this first step can take longer.
A mold sample may be taken, too. In some circumstances, this is a necessary step for pinpointing the level of contamination that the remediation company will be dealing with. If members of your household have significant respiratory conditions or other health concerns that are aggravated by mold, a sample may be in order as well.
Once the remediation team has gathered all the intel and evidence it needs, it will use it to form a plan of attack for removal, cleanup, and repair. This strategy should be explained to you in-depth, and you should feel free to ask the removal team members any questions, or express any lingering concerns, that you have about the process.
They’ll Stop the Water
Mold loves water like Jaws loves slow-moving swimmers, so it’s imperative that you cut off its water source. There’s very little point in removing mold if you don’t put an end to the damp, dark conditions that allow it to thrive.
Exactly what process is used to stop the water depends on where it’s coming from. If the source is located behind the drywall, that drywall will need to be removed. If the water’s source is harder to find, most remediation companies have leak-spotting technology such as infrared scanners that they can use to track down hidden water sources. Once the origin of the water is found, the remediation team will stop the water and repair the affected area, returning it to the state it was in before the watery chaos began.
They’ll Dry Out the Affected Area
Here’s where the mold remediation process and repair team breaks out the big guns. Expect industrial fans and dehumidifiers to be set up and run around the clock to dry out the affected area as quickly as possible. If there are items that can’t be completely dried, such as mattresses or furniture, they will be disposed of. This is the only way to completely eradicate the threat of mold.
They’ll Isolate the Affected Area
In order to avoid the spread of mold throughout the rest of your home, ground zero will be sealed off. For smaller mold occurrences, this may just mean closing doors and opening windows. For larger issues, the remediation specialists may cordon off the affected area with plastic sheeting to contain the spores.
They’ll Remove the Mold
Once everything is dry, the actual mold removal and cleanup can begin. An assortment of cleaning methods may be used, such as the application of fungicide and the use of special vacuums. Exactly what strategy the mold remediation technicians take will depend on a variety of factors, most notably the type of mold that is removed, the amount of mold that is removed, and the surfaces involved. Anything that can’t be cleaned will be disposed of properly.
The mold remediation process may also require repairs to your home after cleaning concludes, such as retiling floors or restoring furniture and fabrics. Some may not, however. You should discuss these details with the remediation team before work begins.
There are many reasons why the mold remediation process and repair are jobs best left to professionals. For starters, they’re no fun. More important, however, is the fact that an experienced mold restoration company has the knowledge and equipment necessary to return your residence to its pre-mold state quickly and safely. Trust United Water Restoration Group to rid your home of mold for good.
What to Expect During Mold Remediation
The process of mold remediation greatly depends on the level of outbreak your property is experiencing. Generally, our remediation team does the following during a mold remediation project, however, the steps may vary:
Step #1: Reach Out to Our Competent Team
If you believe you have a mold issue, the first move is to contact a trusted mold remediation company like ours. You can get in touch with us at (845) 305-1100 or fill out our online form to get started. Our team of experts will be more than happy to provide further information and guide you on the best steps forward.
Step #2: Property Evaluation
Before initiating the remediation process, we need to determine the scale of the mold problem and identify its origin. We will conduct an in-depth inspection of your property, including basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
Step #3: Containment Protocols
To prevent mold from spreading, we will set up containment barriers around the impacted areas. This will help confine the mold and protect your property from additional damage.
Step #4: Air Scrubbing and Cleaning
Using specialized gear such as HEPA filters and vacuums, we will purify the air and eliminate mold spores to improve the air quality in your home or business.
Step #5: Mold Remediation
Next, we will carefully remove any polluted or damaged building materials, like drywall, insulation, and carpeting. These materials will be disposed of correctly to ensure complete eradication of the mold. In some instances, these materials may need to be replaced.
Step #6: Restoration and Deterrence
Once the mold has been removed, we will meticulously cleanse and disinfect the affected areas to ensure your property is safe and sanitary. As a final safeguard, we will apply microbial treatments to help ward off future mold growth on the property.
Seeking Mold Remediation?
If you are in need of mold remediation, contact our service line at (800) 430-5838 for assistance. If you still have questions about mold remediation, check out our video below to gain a better understanding.
We provide services in Ormond Beach, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, Daytona Beach, Florida, Orlando, Florida, Tampa, Florida, Melbourne, Florida, and many other locations around Florida!