Important Mold Remediation Process Answers Homeowners Want To Know
The discovery of mold in the home environment is enough to fill most homeowners with anxiety about both the potential impact on their family's health and the potential financial impact on the home's value. While most environments do contain some mold spores, home interior spaces that are dark, humid and lacking in ventilation provide optimal conditions for massive amounts of mold to grow in a relatively short time.
Mold remediation is a process that homeowners can use to help remove this mold growth and restore a healthy environment inside the home. Homeowners who are unfamiliar with this process often have questions about mold remediation, such as the ones listed below.
What happens during a mold remediation process?
Professional mold remediation utilizes a multiple step process to deal with residential mold situations. The first step is to determine the scope of the mold problem and contain it so that the spores cannot spread to other areas of the home. Air filtration devices, such as air scrubbers, and physical containment options like plastic sheeting are often utilized during this containment step of the remediation process.
Once containment of the mold is assured, the mold remediation technicians will move forward to remove or clean and disinfect the surfaces and materials affected by mold growth before applying a fungicide or moldicide solution to help prevent future mold development. Mold that cannot be cleaned or removed must be encapsulated by applying an approved paint or coating to cover it.
During the process, the technicians will also search for the source of the mold and attempt to cure it or advise the homeowner about possible curative measures. For example, if the mold source is found to be a leaking plumbing pipe or fixture, the technician would either attempt a repair or inform the homeowner that the repair is needed.
Can the home be occupied during the process?
The answer to this question depends upon the type of mold and the scope of the problem. If the existing mold problem is small and easily containable to one part of the home, the family may well be able to safely occupy the home during the mold remediation process. However, if the problem is more extensive and will create a higher risk that the family could be exposed to mold spores during the process, the mold remediation company will typically advise the family to vacate the premises until the remediation process is completed and the home is once again safe for occupancy.
Homeowners who have additional questions or concerns about mold spores in their home environment and how they can be safely addressed will want to contact a reputable mold remediation service in their area as soon as possible.