There are various terms used among professionals when handling indoor mold growth. The terms frequently used are mold mitigation, mold abatement, mold remediation, and mold removal. At the same time, others also use the terms cleaning and restoration when talking about minimizing the detrimental impact of mold growth inside a home. While all these terms are relevant to resolving the same dilemma, there’s a significant difference regarding the procedure.
The moment you get mold in your household, you may immediately think about how to have them removed. However, dealing with mold is not common knowledge among homeowners, so it can be tricky to determine which mold treatment services to call. Some may even consider handling the problem independently, which can be challenging and dangerous without proper equipment and method. Hence, if you have a serious mold problem in your household, you may require professional mold treatment services, such as Summit Facility Services.
If you’d like to know the differences between mold removal and mold remediation, here are some points you may find helpful:
1. Mold Removal And Mold Remediation May Be Used Interchangeably
Molds are fungal species that naturally occur and travel through the air. Mold spores exist both in outdoor and indoor spaces, and they only become hazardous once they start growing actively in certain locations in a household or establishment. Since mold thrives in warm, moist environments, they’re usually found in places near plumbing or spots where rainwater leaks.
Commonly, noticeable mold growth can directly impact the atmosphere of a particular area, such as the air quality and odor. Mold also causes discoloration on walls, ceilings, and other parts of a home’s structure. If the infestation is less substantial and negligible, professional mold treatment may not be necessary. However, early intervention can help prevent further growth. Thus, moderate to severe infestation cases should be addressed early on to restore and protect the room’s original aesthetic quality and comfortability.
The mold removal procedure is essential to protect household occupants against prolonged exposure hazardous to health. Mold removal refers to moving substantial quantities of mold out of a specific location. Mold treatment companies commonly use this term since it’s easily recognizable and understandable to clients. However, handling a mold growth issue inside the home may require more than a simple removal procedure.
In severe mold infestation cases, specialists may recommend remediation to achieve an average, safe level of fungal presence inside the home. This process seeks to determine the cause of mold growth and terminate it to stop it from spreading. Usually, an infested home or building will require professional mold remediation services if a mold outbreak covers over 10 square feet of the property.
2. Mold Removal And Mold Remediation Entails Different Processes
At a glance, mold removal can be described as a process wherein mold growth is cleared on the surface. The infected area may also be disinfected and deodorized to restore it to normal condition. However, removing the mold may not be enough, especially if the growth is extensive and deep-rooted.
While some degree of mold removal is involved in mold remediation, the latter is more extensive since it aims to restore the safety of the infested area by targeting the root of the problem. Remediation is also done to decrease the mold presence to safe levels that are non-hazardous to the occupants of a building or a home.
Here are some of the processes involved in mold remediation:
- Inspection and assessment
Before mold remediation, professional cleaners perform a thorough inspection and assessment to determine the type of mold present in the house and the extent of its growth. These procedures will help the specialists plan how the mold will be removed and how the cleanliness and safety of the area will be restored to a normal state.
- Cleaning
Once identified, the mold specialists will use specialized tools to clear most of the mold on the surfaces and household items affected by the infestation. Then, they can use chemical cleaners or water and detergent to wash the surfaces.
- Disinfection and deodorization
After cleaning, the cleaning crew will apply disinfectants to kill the remaining fungus and remove odors left by the mold growth. If needed, they can also throw out any disposable items that may have had contact with mold. This step is essential in removing the odor in the room and preventing regrowth.
- Repair of the plumbing system
Mold thrives in moist areas, so a home’s plumbing system may be the most severely affected whenever an infestation happens. To effectively clear the plumbing of all mold and restore the presence of fungus to normal levels, some mold specialists may recommend repairing and restoring a home’s plumbing system.
- Mold containment
As the mold is cleared, the fungal spores will be dispersed in the air, which risks contaminating other areas in the home. Hence, it’s essential to close off the site before remediation starts.
The contaminated area in the household will be sealed off temporarily to prevent the spread of mold spores as the remediation process occurs. Entryways such as doors and windows will be closed and the gaps sealed using synthetic sheets and duct tape.
- Misting
Mold specialists may conduct misting to prevent airborne spores from being dispersed into the air and spreading around the area. The mist will expose the spores to moisture, making them denser and less likely to spread through the air. Misting can also help improve the air quality for a short period, which is ideal for protecting the workers while they clean the area.
- Dehumidifying Surfaces
After washing surfaces and household items, the specialists will use a dehumidifier or industrial fan to dry the entire area. This step ensures that the room is free of excess moisture that may trigger mold regrowth. Some may also increase the indoor temperature to speed up the drying process.
- Preventative Recommendations
Once mold remediation is completed, your mold treatment specialists may offer recommendations to help you prevent mold regrowth. It’s essential to consider and follow their professional guidance to avoid triggering mold growth after treatment, which can be hazardous, inconvenient, and costly to address the next time.
- Post remediation inspection
After a period, your mold specialists may schedule a post-remediation inspection to see whether some areas need further treatment or if there are any risks of regrowth.
3. Mold Removal And Mold Remediation Processes Have Different Timelines
Mold removal may require a short amount of time to complete, especially if the area to be covered is less extensive and if the infestation is mild to moderate. For instance, it may take several hours or an entire day to clear a room with light mold growth in a tiny corner.
Since mold remediation is a complex, multi-step process, it may take one to five days to complete depending on the extent of the mold presence, damage, and the type of mold to be cleared.
When To Call A Mold Specialist
Several factors could indicate mold infestation inside a household. Here are some examples:
- Household occupants have mold allergy symptoms such as coughing or wheezing, blurry eyes, irritability, or sleeplessness.
- Musty odor similar to the smell of wet wood or soil
- Discoloration on certain parts of the house, such as walls and ceilings. The usual colors of mold growth are green, blue, black, or white.
Cleaning and disinfecting a mold-infested area in your home may pose several safety risks. For instance, you can inhale a substantial amount of fungal matter, triggering adverse reactions in your respiratory system. Also, other areas inside the home may be contaminated by mold spores dispersed in the air while you’re cleaning. Hence, it’s crucial to call a mold treatment specialist to ensure safety in your household and effectiveness when removing mold.
What To Do Before Calling A Specialist
Mold growths are commonly triggered by excess moisture and humidity due to water leaks, faulty plumbing, and drainage system damage. Moreover, houses exposed to flood water may also be prone to mold growth, which can start in a matter of days. Since mold infestation is commonly caused by moisture, fixing leaks and faulty plumbing may be a wise decision that could help prevent further growth or regrowth after removal or remediation.
If you have a leaking roof, damage to your ceiling and walls, or a faulty water system, you may need to have them fixed before hiring mold treatment services. Doing so will help you ensure the effectiveness of the treatment in the long term since the root of the problem is resolved. However, if the damaged area is heavily infested with mold growth, it might be safer to have it treated and cleared before conducting repairs.
Conclusion
Resolving a mold problem in your household may seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time taking on an extensive home repair or restoration project. However, having mold presence in your living space poses several health hazards which can cause pain, discomfort, or danger to your well-being. Also, mold growth can be detrimental to the structural integrity of your home. Therefore, it’s essential to take immediate action once you detect mold in your home. Call professional services and explore your options to resolve your mold problem as soon as possible.