Mold Remediation is an important step in restoring your home after water damage. This process will remove all the visible spores and treat areas with a disinfectant to prevent new growth. Remediation includes fixing the source of the water leak and cleaning non-porous surfaces with bleach and water. This can include wood surfaces, drywall and carpeting. It also involves removing and disposing of contaminated materials that cannot be salvaged.
Visible black, green, and white spores are the most common indication that you need mold remediation. If you have allergies or asthma, a visible infestation can be a sign of serious health issues. If you suspect a severe health issue, call your doctor immediately.
Professional Mold Remediation
Professionals have the equipment and knowledge to do the job right. They can test the air and surface for bacteria and mold spores and use powerful chemicals to kill the fungus. They can also find hidden mold and moisture in walls and insulation. They can also fix the problem that caused the infestation in the first place. This may involve removing drywall, insulation and re-stuccoing the areas.
The key to successful Mold Remediation is finding and fixing the cause of the problem, not just removing the visible spores. If you don’t fix the problem, it will return and continue to recur. Remediation companies focus on addressing the root of the problem and preventing future occurrences.
If you want to try to remediate a small mold problem yourself, start by fixing the source of the water leak. Then, remove standing water and dehumidify the affected areas. Wear a mask, gloves and eye protection. If you suspect that you’re dealing with toxic black mold, a respirator is an absolute must. Finally, you should probe heavily stained or swollen wall areas with a screwdriver to discover and open the moisture damage. Be careful not to cut electrical wires, as this can be extremely dangerous. Then, clean all visible spores with a vinegar or bleach solution.
After cleaning, make sure that all wet and mold-contaminated materials are discarded in plastic bags to reduce the amount of spores that are dispersed into the air. Non-porous surfaces are then misted with a sprayer to lower the humidity and kill any remaining spores. After the area is dry, it can be painted with a regular latex paint that contains mildewcide to help keep future growth at bay. Removing and replacing contaminated materials is not necessary in most cases, but you should do this for safety and appearance reasons. If you must replace a structure element, it should be done with a mold-resistant coating such as urethane or polyurethane. You should then apply a clear seal coat such as pigmented shellac to protect the newly repaired area from additional damage.