What Is Mold Remediation?
Mold can be an expensive problem for homeowners. It can cause significant property damage and produce allergens and irritants, which may lead to health issues. Homeowners must be aware of the potential damage mold can cause and how to prevent mold from damaging property.
Understanding Mold
Mold is a fungus that grows on wet surfaces. Mold plays an essential role in nature, breaking down organic materials such as leaves and dead trees. While mold is a natural and necessary part of the environment, mold that grows indoors can be harmful to humans and cause health problems, especially for people with asthma or allergies. Mold can also cause damage to the building and its contents.
Microscopic mold spores are a common part of indoor dust, but mold that grows on surfaces can be damaging. Mold can grow on almost any organic surface where there’s moisture and oxygen, including wood, carpets, furniture, and paper. It’s most likely to grow in damp areas such as bathrooms and basements.
What Is Mold Removal?
Some companies advertise mold removal services, but it’s actually impossible to eliminate all mold inside buildings since microscopic mold spores exist naturally both indoors and outside. Cleaning mold with bleach removes the mold but doesn’t remove the spores. Instead of eliminating mold, restoration companies use the science behind mold to minimize and prevent growth and sustain it within natural levels.
What Is Mold Remediation?
Since mold can’t be entirely eliminated, mold remediation refers to controlling the growth and levels of mold in an environment. Clean, dry conditions minimize the potential for mold growth. While spores exist, they remain dormant without excess moisture. A professional company should oversee mold remediation and restoration to correct significant mold issues in a home.
Understanding the Mold Remediation Process
Once a mold problem is detected, it’s important to address this issue immediately. There are several key factors for mold remediation.
- Assess the area to identify the moisture problem. Determine the cause of excess moisture and fix the water leak or air circulation problem causing mold growth. If the source of moisture isn’t removed, mold will grow back after cleaning the original mold.
- Clean up the mold. Carefully inspect the area for visible indications of mold. Use mold removal sprays to clean the affected area thoroughly. The EPA doesn’t recommend homeowners to use bleach as a mold removal chemical. Instead, use an EPA-approved antifungal agent to clean and remove the mold.
- Prevent future mold buildup. Mold and hidden moisture sources may not be visible. A professional inspection might be necessary to determine the underlying cause of the mold, remediate the mold problem, and prevent the recurrence of mold buildup.
Controlling mold is vital to protect property and reduce potential health threats. Homeowners with EPA-approved removal products can often clean minor mold or mildew problems in the home. Still, large amounts of mold or mildew may require professional mold remediation service. The experts at Steamatic are skilled in cleaning, restoration, and remediation. Contact Steamatic to learn more about mold remediation services.