Mold discovery during the course of a water loss is common when water is not properly extracted, removed or dried properly. When mold is growing on building materials it is critical not to disturb the mold which can cause mold spores to become air borne that can spread to other areas of the house expanding the affected area.

Mold needs three things to grow, 1 is water, 2 is darkness and 3 is food which is building materials. Mold uses drywall, wood, soft goods, carpets, contents, baseboards as its food source. It is very drastic to discover the water loss quickly and take the proper steps to prevent microbial growth.

When mold is left unattended it can spread quickly while the water source is still present. The air quality of your home can be so elevated with mold spores that can be hazardous to your health. Mold affects all individuals differently based on an individual's tolerance level; mold has serious affects on individuals who have respiratory problems.

NOTE: Attempting to remove mold from your home by yourself is not recommended due to the critical steps that need to be exercised in order to protect your family and to properly remediate the mold without causing any further contamination of air borne spores utilizing proper methods. Always seek the help of a professional mold remediation company when dealing with mold.

Please read into your home insurance policy to check your coverage for mold damage removal or remediation. Every company has different policies and mold cost limitations. When mold is present or discovered during water mitigation there are certain steps that need to take place as follows.

Step 1: Call a certified mold remediation company to assist you with your problem.

Step 2: The affected area needs to be inspected, contained with (6) mil. Plastic and pending the situation a third party (environmental hygienist) can come out to the job site to take an air sample to verify the species of mold. The air testing will also provide the information for proper remediation and a scope of work will be provided to assist the company in the removal with any unknown spread of spores etc.

Not all mold projects will require air sampling on the front end of the project. It is recommended that air clearance testing is performed after the remediation to insure all parties involved that the mold was removed correctly. If in some cases an air clearance came back with an unsafe level of spores then more cleaning of the affected area is required.

Step 3: Now it's time to set up containment around the affected area to protect the non affected area's from being crossed contaminated, in other words containing of the work area with a sealed containment and the use of a negative air scrubber which has a high efficiency particulate Air filter that filtrates the air within the contained off area. The air scrubber will also under negative pressure which will duct out of a nearby window will filter the air and exhaust it to the exterior of the home. The air coming out from the ducting to the outside of home is filtered air; a second air scrubber should be placed on the outside of containment by containment entry door of clean room.

It is time to clean and sanitize any contents within the containment that will need to be removed prior to starting the demolition portion of the remediation. In some cases there will be items that may need special cleaning if salvageable to a pre loss condition. Items which are non salvageable will need to be inventoried and considered for replacement by decision of the insurance company. Mold damage removal is important when it comes to home contents.

Step 4: The technicians are ready to start demolition and for their safety suited up in tyvex suits (white coveralls), wearing the proper respirators with the correct filters, protective gloves etc. All building materials with visible mold will be removed excluding the wood framing, trusses etc. In some cases the structure can be further damaged from water causing dry rot which may call for removal of affected wood and replacement before any further demolition process to reinforce that section of the structure. All debris should be properly bagged and removed for further disposal away from work site.

Step 5: To remove mold from wood surfaces which are now exposed and free of dry rot a metal wire brush or sander will be used to remove the mold from the hard surfaces. Once all hard sanding is completed a detailed hepa vacuuming will be performed from ceiling to flooring to further remove mold from the affected area.

Step 6: Decontamination of the affected area requires a very thorough wipe down using an anti microbial solution and technique. This is a critical stage of the remediation that will involve wiping every crack and crevice from ceiling to the flooring as well as the equipment in place, the containment walls, ducting, etc. Once completed the air scrubbers ducting which will be removed, window shut or sealed closed and the air scrubber will still be inside the containment area. The air scrubber will now be in a positive manner which still scrubbing and filtering the air on the inside of the contain area which prior was in a negative manner.

Step 7: At this time it is recommended that containment be sealed closed and a clearance air sample testing is scheduled. Most air testing firms require 48 hours to pass before air sampling will be executed.

A cleared air sample testing will give you piece of mind that the mold remediation process was a success. Getting a clearance test you will also receive documentation of this for records and if you ever sell your home will be needed to show that it was fully remediated.

Mold prevention methods:
You can do some basic house hold cleaning and maintenance to help your home from assisting mold growth. Bathrooms are a common area for mold growth due to lack of improper ventilation and the consistent area where water is present with humidity. Wherever you create humid conditions being in the kitchen, laundry room etc. it can begin an atmosphere for mold growth. If you don't have ventilation open up doors, windows while causing humid conditions. One other option would be to use a dehumidifier which can also help reduce the humidity levels in your home. Pay attention to anything that is wet that will not be dried quickly like cloths, wet towels etc. For more information on mold removal, please check out the EPA website.

Daniel Camara is the owner of PuroClean Home Rescue, a restoration and mitigiation company that specializes in Water Damage removal, Fire Damage, Mold and Odor Removal. Puroclean is one of the largest property mitigation and restoration professional service firms in the country. With nearly 300 offices across the U.S., we respond to all emergencies immediately.

If you need any helpful advice on property restoration please visit us on our website or contact us from the contact page.

Related articles

• Decorate Your Dorm Room With Canvas Wall Art And Space Saving Furniture
• Building Plans - How To Re-Plan Or Extend Your Home Without Losing Valuable Garden Space
• Does Having a Quality, Decorative Bathroom Waste Basket Really Matter? Yes! Here's Why
• 3 Crucial Points You Have To Know About In Order To Avoid Damages To Your Homemade Solar Panels
• Simple Ways to Avoid Water Damage in the Kitchen