Mold is more than unsightly spots on your walls, floors, or ceilings; it can also cause severe damage to your home or business and pose health risks to the people who occupy the space. Sometimes, mold even goes unnoticed, leading to hidden damage behind walls or other surfaces.
Mold removal refers to processes that properly eliminate mold. Understanding the proper techniques and safety measures to protect your property and the people occupying it is essential. The size of the area affected by mold and the complications experienced will determine if professional help is necessary to mitigate the problem properly.
If you’ve noticed mold in your home or have had past water damage, keep reading to learn all about removing mold and the choices you have to protect your property and the people in it.
What is Mold Removal?
You may have tackled mold removal at some point by cleaning black mold from your shower tiles or grout. Shower mold is quite common, as showers create the ultimate environment for mold growth: they are often damp and poorly ventilated. Regularly addressing the shower’s mold issues can keep it under control and prevent serious health risks.
Unfortunately, not all mold problems are as simple as cleaning the shower. If you have areas with severe mold contamination, such as drywall, floors, or ceilings, you may need to use this multi-step process to remove mold safely.
- Inspection: Conducting a thorough inspection of the area of concern helps to determine the presence of mold and its cause. Rather than only cleaning the mold (a temporary solution), you must determine what caused it and how to stop it, which may lead to mold remediation.
- Containment: Disturbing mold spores send them airborne, which could lead to further mold growth throughout the property without proper containment. Proper isolation of the affected area ensures the mold remains in a single location and doesn’t spread.
- Removal: To remove mold, look for safe and effective products that eliminate mold from the surface while protecting the structure’s integrity. Always test a small area first to ensure the product is safe for the surface.
- Air filtration: When removing mold, consider using air scrubbers and HEPA filters to help clean the air and remove any mold spores that become airborne.
- Cleaning: Unfortunately, removing mold doesn’t always mean you won’t be able to see the stains, as mold stains may remain. If you want it to look clean again, the area may require further scrubbing or restorative efforts.
While you may be able to remove mold yourself in some situations, professional mold removal may be a better option in the following situations:
- Recent water damage: If the property recently had water issues, such as a leaking pipe, sump pump issues, or leaking roof, there may be more mold that you cannot see that requires proper removal.
- Health problems: If you or a household member experience health problems related to potential mold issues, such as respiratory issues, allergic reactions, or headaches, professional mold removal can ensure all mold is removed.
- Musty smell: If the property has a musty odor, but you can’t find mold anywhere, it may be located behind walls or underneath floors, which a professional with moisture meters and thermal cameras can help identify.
- Lack of equipment: Mold isn’t something to mess around with, so if you don’t have the proper equipment to contain and safely remove it, leave it to the professionals to prevent it from spreading.
Mold Remediation vs. Mold Removal
Mold remediation and mold removal are commonly confused terms. They sound similar, but mold removal is just as it sounds: you only remove the mold, which often isn’t enough. Ignoring the root cause of the mold problem is like inviting the mold to return, even after removing it.
Mold remediation takes mold removal a step further. Removing mold is still a part of the process, but it also focuses on the root cause of the problem. Remediation may involve things such as:
- Cutting out drywall
- Removing flooring
- Removing ceiling tiles
- Addressing poor ventilation issues
- Addressing humidity issues
If the area of concern is large or the mold has been present for a while, it’s best to get a professional opinion regarding the best steps. Mold removal may not be enough and may leave you with a long-term problem, but a professional mold inspector can present you with the most successful options.
How Mold Removal Companies Work
Reputable mold removal companies use the following steps when removing mold:
- Mold inspection
- Containment
- Air filtration
- Mold removal
- Follow up mold inspection
Reputable mold removal companies use the following steps when removing mold:
- Mold inspection
- Containment
- Air filtration
- Mold removal
- Follow-up mold inspection
Understanding what to expect during each step can provide peace of mind during the mold removal process.
Mold Inspection: The First Step to Mold Removal
When you call a professional mold company about mold concerns, they typically start with a mold inspection. An inspection allows inspectors to assess the extent of the mold issue and to recommend possible solutions. The inspection usually lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. How long it takes depends on the complexity of the mold issues and whether you opt for third-party lab testing.
Here’s what to expect during a typical mold inspection:
- Discussion with the property owner regarding the concerns
- A visible inspection of the areas of concern
- Moisture detection with specialized tools, such as moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras
- Third-party lab-tested air quality or surface-sampling tests (if desired)
It’s essential to give the inspector as much information as possible. The more information you provide, the easier for them to narrow down where the problem may be occurring. Include details, such as:
- Approximately when the problem began
- Information on any current or previous water damage at the property
- Information about any ventilation or humidity issues
- Areas where household members experience the most symptoms
After inspecting and receiving test results (if applicable), a mold inspector will share the findings and the mold removal or remediation plans to make the property safe again.
The best thing you can do is schedule a mold inspection as soon as you discover any signs of mold. The longer you wait for the inspection, the more the mold can spread, creating more problems with more complex solutions.
Containment: A Crucial Step in Mold Removal
You may think the removal process is the most important when removing mold, but it starts with containment.
Without proper containment, mold spores can quickly become airborne and spread to other parts of the property, causing further contamination and mold growth. Containing mold means isolating the area affected by mold to prevent the mold from releasing microscopic spores into the air.
The complexity of the mold growth determines if the area requires limited or full containment:
- Limited containment: This approach is suitable for controlling mold growth in a small area. Typically, a single plastic sheet can create a temporary barrier along with the use of HEPA air scrubbers to prevent the air filters from allowing spores to leave the area.
- Full containment: If the mold contamination is more widespread, full containment may be necessary. This includes using a double layer of sheeting and only allowing entry to those wearing proper PPE. The area will also have negative air pressure to pull the mold spores into the system, not the environment.
Failing to contain mold could lead to:
- Widespread contamination
- Health hazards to occupants
- Future mold problems
- Structural damage
Air Filtration: Protect the Rest of the Property
Air filtration is an essential part of the mold removal process because it removes airborne mold spores. Professionals place HEPA air scrubbers and filters within the containment area to ensure the removal of mold spores and prevent them from circulating throughout the home or business. Proper air filtration also reduces the risk of inhaling mold spores by anyone on the property.
Mold Removal: Take Necessary Precautions
During the mold removal process, professionals must determine if the affected materials can be treated and saved, such as non-porous materials like glass or metal. To keep the materials, antimicrobial treatments are essential to eliminate the mold.
However, professionals must remove any porous materials, such as drywall, carpeting, or insulation, with mold infestation and properly dispose of them, as no cleaning method can reach the mold spores that are deep within the materials.
Even after removing mold, stains may remain, requiring extra scrubbing and sealant with a mold-resistant coating to prevent mold growth.
HEPA Vacuum: Ensuring a Clean Space
After completing the mold removal process, professionals use a HEPA vacuum to capture any remaining mold spores or dust released into the air. HEPA vacuums trap the tiniest particles to ensure mold spores and other contaminants aren’t re-released into the air.
Follow-Up Mold Inspection: Ensuring Results
A reputable mold removal company will conduct a follow-up mold inspection. This ensures the area is free of mold. This may include:
- Visual inspection of the area
- Air quality lab tests to ensure there aren’t any remaining mold spores
- The use of moisture meters to ensure the area is dry and not at risk of future mold growth
If the final inspection determines that mold remains, a reputable mold removal company will revisit the site and perform mold removal tasks again to ensure it is safe.
Benefits of Professional Mold Removal Services
If you’re a DIY type, you may think you can handle mold removal yourself to save money. However, this approach may create risks to your property and health.
Here are some of the top benefits of hiring professionals to remove mold:
- Comprehensive solutions: Trained professionals can address both visible and hidden mold while addressing the root causes if there is more to it than meets the eye.
- Protecting your health: Professionals understand how to contain mold to ensure it doesn’t spread to other areas of the property or risk anyone’s health.
- Proper equipment: Removing mold requires more than a cleaning solution and some elbow grease. Depending on the amount of mold and its location, you may need HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, and containment walls to keep your property safe. Reputable professionals use this equipment to ensure your safety and follow industry protocols.
- Prevention: Mold removal experts can provide professional advice on the next steps to prevent mold from returning.
Choosing professional mold removal services helps safeguard your health and property while eliminating mold from the property.
Choosing the Right Mold Removal Company
Once you’ve decided to hire a mold removal company to handle the issue, the next step is selecting the right one.
Like any decision, choosing a company to remove mold is a big decision, so consider the following factors:
- IICRC certification: Look for companies with IICRC certification and that follow industry protocols to keep everyone safe. You can find certified companies by city, state, or zip code to narrow your search.
- Experience in mold removal and remediation: There’s no guarantee that mold removal alone will solve the problem. Choose a company that also offers mold remediation to address the root source of the problem, such as ventilation or humidity issues or removing damaged and toxic materials.
- Positive reviews: Check Google, Home Advisor, and Angi for reviews on mold companies to ensure past customers are happy with the results.
- Professional-grade equipment: Inquire about the types of equipment the mold removal companies use. To ensure your safety, their answers should include HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers.
Additionally, the right mold removal company will also use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of mold spores spreading to other areas of the home or business and protect your health.
Signs You Need Mold Removal
When dealing with mold growth in your home or business, it’s important to understand when you need professional help.
Consider calling a professional if any of the following apply:
- There is visible mold growth on walls and ceilings
- Your inspector found attic mold during a real estate transaction
- There are musty odors accompanied by dampness or poor ventilation
- The property has suffered recent water damage
- People occupying the property experience sudden health issues, such as respiratory problems, coughing, or allergic reactions
Final Thoughts
Mold can be a serious issue, but with the help of a professional mold removal company, you can rest assured the problem will be properly handled. It’s important to act quickly as soon as you suspect your home or business has mold issues.
Contact Pinnelli Mold Pros today to learn more about how we can help with your mold removal needs and ensure the safety of you and your property.
FAQ
What kills mold permanently?
There are many commercial products that kill mold, but the only way it is permanent is if you control the moisture, humidity, and ventilation in the area. Mold can come back if you ignore the source of the problem, which is why suggestions from a professional mold company are vital.
Can mold inside walls make you sick?
Invisible mold is the worst type because, yes, it can make you sick. Mold behind walls is most common when a water leak occurs, and the area is not properly dried. The moisture becomes a breeding ground for mold, causing it to spread and creating potential health concerns.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover mold?
Unfortunately, most home insurance policies do not cover mold, but each homeowner’s coverage varies. In most cases, insurance companies only cover mold damage if it is the result of an accident or sudden incident (such as a burst pipe) that caused water damage and, therefore, mold growth.