What Are the Main Differences Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?
90% of homeowners and 75% of commercial building owners in the US have experienced mold problems in their properties. Some knew about it earlier and took the right measures to counter the issue, while others never realized they had a mold infestation. Mold is dangerous as it can cause adverse effects on your health.
But this is not the only problem it causes; if left untreated, mold can harm your building’s foundation, causing damages worth thousands of dollars. It is important to conduct routine checks on your property so that you can take the required measures as early as possible. If you are wondering whether to go for mold removal or remediation, here is a guide to differentiating the two.
Mold Removal vs. Remediation
The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they don’t have the same meaning. Mold removal involves dealing with or treating mold using methods such as cleaning. It is only applicable to surface mold that can easily be dealt with. However, note that mold is a natural constituent of the environment, and it is impossible to remove it completely. One way or another, mold spores will always find their way to your property.
Mold spores are typically innocuous until they land on a moist area and become active mold. Mold needs to be removed immediately if it is growing within your home. Unless the contaminated area is extremely small, a straightforward mold removal procedure will never be sufficient to address mold issues.
On the other hand, remediation describes all the procedures necessary to eliminate dangerous mold. Depending on the type and location, it could comprise mold testing, dismantling, disinfecting, containment, and mold treatment. Instead of making the misleading claim that all mold has been removed from your house, a reputable restoration firm would offer treatment to lower the level of mold there to a safe level. Most companies use the term mold removal because many people are familiar with it. The right term to use in all circumstances is mold remediation.
Mold Remediation Process
The mold remediation process is not a straightforward path. The steps can be readjusted depending on the location of the mold and how far it has spread.
Inspection
It is important to conduct routine assessments on your property to determine whether mold has spread. Most individuals never know what to look for and might miss some obvious signs of mold infestation. This is where a mold remediation company comes in. The inspection helps restoration companies determine the treatment approach to take.
Containment
It is always advised to leave mold remediation to professionals because mold spores spread easily. Once professionals have identified the infested areas, they use a mold containment barrier to prevent spores from spreading to other rooms.
Cleaning
Mold cleaning can take different approaches, depending on the location. Porous and non-porous surfaces are cleaned differently. It is important to note this because it can lead to the further spread of mold after the remediation process. Porous surfaces ought to be dried properly.
Disposal
If the mold has infested porous surfaces and caused unsalvageable damage, disposal of the material is usually unavoidable. Porous surfaces often hide mold spores deep within, making them difficult to clean.
Sanitization
Usually, objects with mold infestations are removed, and all impacted items are thoroughly cleaned. Deodorization and stench eradication using fogging machinery is also part of this.
Prevention
It might be impossible to keep out mold from your premises, but some preventative measures can help keep the levels low. The restoration company should suggest different ways you can prevent mold growth. Keeping surfaces dry and ensuring proper aeration are the main ones.
