Mold Remediation Provo is an important step in restoring your property after water damage. This process involves cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing affected areas, and repairing damaged items.
First, professionals will erect containment to isolate the mold from unaffected areas of your home. They will also use negative air machines to clean spores from the air. Porous materials contaminated with mold need to be removed, including carpets and drywall.
If a home or office is infested with molds, a licensed mold assessor can work to contain the growth and prevent further contamination. Containment is accomplished by setting up barriers that separate the affected area from the rest of the building. Depending on the size of the infestation, there are several different levels of containment. Full containment is used when an entire building has been contaminated, while limited containment is recommended for smaller areas involving between 10 and 100 square feet of mold contamination.
During the process of remediation, it is important that all porous materials that have been wet for 48 hours or more are removed and safely stored. These include carpeting and carpet padding, wallpaper, some furniture, drywall, insulation material and non-washable fabrics. The items that are not able to be saved are either stripped and completely removed or sanded down, wire-blasted or soda blasted. The spores that are disturbed and become airborne during the remediation process must also be removed. This is done with negative air machines that run continuously throughout the project, using high efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters.
The first step of containment is to HEPA vacuum every surface within the area of the mold contaminate. This includes the inside and outside of all doors that are opened to the contaminated room. The HEPA vacuums are a special type that prevents the microscopic spores from being redistributed into the air once they have been sucked up. The second step of containment is to use dehumidifiers or other climate control systems to lower the humidity level in the area of the contaminated room. High humidity can encourage further mold growth, even after the mold has been removed.
After all surfaces and non-porous items have been cleaned, a biocide is sprayed on the remaining moldy surfaces. The biocide makes the mold spores sterile so they cannot grow and spread. Then, any non-porous items that have been remediated are returned to the rooms where they were originally located. This is a necessary step to ensure that the mold spores do not spread once the items have been cleaned and sanitized.
Removal
Removing mold during remediation consists of several steps. First, any non-porous materials affected by the mold should be cleaned and wiped down with a solution of water and bleach. These wipes should be wrapped in 6 mil polyethylene bags and double-bagged for trash disposal. Porous items like carpet, drywall and fabric should be removed rather than simply cleaning them. These items should be disposed of according to local regulations.
Before starting the removal process, put on some personal protective equipment such as a mask and goggles that don’t have ventilation holes. This will help prevent mold spores from entering your eyes or respiratory system and causing further problems.
Once you’re in the containment zone, start by identifying the type of mold growth. Allergen-based molds are usually easy to identify by their musty odors, while toxic species such as Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold, are often identified by their dark green to black color and slimy texture.
When the type of mold is known, begin removing the colony. A mask or respirator is recommended for this step to prevent spores from spreading during the removal process. It’s also a good idea to wear rubber gloves to prevent burns from harsh cleaners. Then, take a rag with your cleaning mixture and give the area a light scrub. Be sure to scrub tight corners and indents as well.
Next, allow the area to air dry. This will take three to five days. After the area is dry, it should be rechecked by sight and smell to make sure all of the mold has been removed. Ideally, the contaminated areas should be sealed with pigmented shellac or oil-based primer. These products will prevent future mold growth and can be found at your local hardware store.
If the mold infestation is extensive, it may be necessary to remove and replace drywall, insulation and carpeting. This is especially true if the mold has caused wood rot or if the moldy drywall has been cut during the course of a plumbing leak. Depending on the severity of the mold, you may also need to replace ductwork and HVAC components.
Cleaning
Molds grow in locations where organic material co-mingles with moisture. To stop growth and limit the spread of mold, it’s important to clean and sanitize all affected areas. The cleaning methods used during mold remediation depend on the type of surface and extent of contamination.
Surface molds such as those found in bathrooms, sink cabinets and window sills due to condensation are easily removed with a mixture of bleach and water. This cleaning solution works by killing the mold and removing its spores. It’s also important to protect yourself while cleaning by wearing a mask and gloves. If you’re not comfortable with the fumes of bleach, a mild detergent can be added to the mix. Then simply scrub the area and rinse it off with clean water.
Porous surfaces such as carpeting, drywall and fabric-covered furniture may need to be thrown away instead of cleaned. It’s also important to address the factors that led to the mold growth in the first place. This can include addressing humidity levels and repairing any leaks.
If the mold is on outdoor surfaces, the first step is to remove all debris and plants that block access to the area. This will help prevent the mold from being spread to other areas of the home while you’re working on it. Once the debris is removed, it’s a good idea to cover the surrounding areas with a 6 mil polyethylene sheeting. This will separate the work area from other unaffected or occupied spaces and provide a double barrier for exhausting air scrubbers during the mold abatement process.
Next, if the contamination is extensive, a containment plan must be put in place. This will involve using a polyethylene covering to isolate the work area and creating an exhaust system for the air scrubbers. It’s also a good idea to use a dehumidifier in the area during this time. If there is a lot of condensation, a dehumidifier can help by reducing the amount of water that collects in the area and prevents it from growing mold. Once the containment and sanitization processes are complete, it’s important to conduct a post-cleaning inspection to ensure that the mold stains have been fully eliminated.
Disposal
Molds are a type of organism that can grow on many materials and can cause a variety of damages to those materials. Molds also spread from one area to another through the air. This means that they can affect people and animals in other areas of the house or building. This is why it is important to take care of the problem as quickly as possible. It is best to contact a professional when dealing with this problem. They will be able to determine the level of damage and how much of it can be salvaged.
During the remediation process, building materials that are affected by mold will be removed from the affected area. This includes drywall, carpeting, insulation, and more. The affected items will then be disposed of according to EPA standards. Once the affected materials have been removed, the space will then be sanitized and dried. This will help to make sure that all of the mold spores are killed and cannot start growing again.
It is essential to dry the spaces that have been cleaned and sanitized to prevent new mold growth. This can be done by using fans, dehumidifiers, and other methods to speed up the process. Once the space is completely dry, it can then be replaced and restored.
In order to ensure that the mold spores do not spread to other areas of the home during the remediation process, a containment barrier is put in place. This barrier is made of plastic, polyethylene sheeting and helps to seal the area and prevents airborne spores from spreading to other areas of the home. It is important to wear masks and gloves during this step as well to minimize exposure.
During the cleaning and sanitization steps, it is often necessary to use biocide/fungicide/moldicide solutions. These chemicals are used to kill the molds and help them to break down. These chemicals are also used to remove any residue that might be left behind on the surfaces. This step is essential to ensuring that all of the molds are killed and removed from the home.