If you discover mold in your home or business, it is not something you will want to take a wait-and-see approach to. Mold can grow and spread quickly and should be contained and removed as soon as possible when spotted. The process of mold removal is often called mold mediation or mold remediation. Here’s what you need to know about mold and the process for its safe removal.
What Does it Mean to Remediate Mold?
1. When it Comes to Mold, there is Often More than Meets the Eye
If there is visible mold on your wall, you should know that there’s a good chance there is even mold that you can’t see – on the other side of the wall. Mold thrives in wet, damp environments. If moisture becomes trapped inside a wall it can create the perfect spot for mold to thrive and grow. By the time you see it on the exterior of a wall, you could have a much more serious problem that you realize.
2. Mold Can Be Toxic
Mold can cause serious health issues in people and animals. Black mold specifically can be particularly harmful because it produces toxins. If inhaled or ingested, the spores from black mold can cause chronic coughing and sneezing; irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat; rashes; and headaches. Trying to remove it can pose health risks unless protective clothing is worn.
3. Mold Thrives in Humid, Damp Conditions
Excessive humidity and wet, damp conditions are the perfect breeding ground for mold. If water leaks into a building and becomes trapped there, then mold will likely continue to breed and grow. Removing the mold is not enough. You also need to remove the source of the moisture, otherwise, the mold will more than likely return.
4. Mold Needs to Be Completely Removed
Trying to clean up an area that has been infested with mold is unlikely to be effective. Even killing mold with chemicals is not enough. That’s because mold spores can still threaten the health of those inside the building, even if they are dead. The only safe way to deal with a mold infestation is to have it completely contained and removed.
5. You Should Hire a Professional to Handle Mold Removal
If you have a serious mold problem, you should not try to handle it yourself. Otherwise, you run the risk that the mold will be cleaned up or killed, but not completely removed. That means the health risks posed by the mold will linger, and since the mold was not completely removed, it will likely reoccur. Plus, certified mold mitigation experts will follow the proper procedure to fully neutralize the mold, which includes:
- Fixing the water/humidity issue that led mold to form in the first place.
- Sealing off the affected area so mold spores do not spread and contaminate other parts of the building.
- Removing and safely disposing of all materials infested with the mold.
- Thoroughly cleaning all materials that were impacted by the mold, and drying them to prevent the mold from returning.
Octagon Cleaning & Restoration’s certified mold remediation professionals have the training and experience to remove mold, prevent it from returning and perform the necessary steps to return the property to a pre-loss condition. Contact us to learn more about our mold mediation services.