MOLD CLEANUP AND REMEDIATION
Homeowners in Illinois can find mold almost anywhere; wood, carpet, foods, paper, and even insulation are all typical areas that you may see mold growth. When a large amount of moisture accumulates in buildings (or on building materials) mold growth can occur — especially if the moisture problem remains undressed. Although it is impossible to eliminate all mold spores or mold from your home or business, mold growth can be controlled by monitoring and controlling indoor moisture.
In some cases, indoor mold growth may not be evident to the homeowner. Hidden surfaces, such as the backside of drywall, paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, or wallpaper are areas that are frequently subjected to hidden mold growth. Because some building materials are excellent at trapping moisture, they provide the perfect environment for mold growth. Investigating these hidden mold problems may be difficult, so be sure to enlist the help of a MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS expert to provide you with accurate testing and analysis of your home.
If a MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS certified mold technician finds mold in your home, there is no need to panic. The mold inspection technician will create a remediation plan that is designed to your specific situation. Scheduling a remediation as soon as possible will ensure that the least amount of damage occurs to your home.
CERTIFIED REMEDIATION PROCEDURES
Prior to remediation, the MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS certified mold technician will assess the size of the mold or moisture problem and provide you with a recommendation for the health and safety of your family. If need be, the technician may recommend that the occupants of the home are absent during the remediation or until after the remediation has been performed.
Mold cleanup can call for a variety of cleaning techniques, but all of them involve eliminating the source of the mold problem prior to remediating the mold. The MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS certified mold technician will be sure to educate you on all methods of mold remediation and cleanup so that you are able to make informed decisions about the health and safety of your home and family.
• Damp Wipe
Using EPA Certified and OSHA compliant mold remediation products, the MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS certified mold technician may use the Damp Wipe procedure for nonporous surfaces. This involves both wiping and scrubbing with remediation tools until mold is entirely eradicated from the area. This procedure is typically used in tandem with other mold removal procedures.
• Dry Ice Blasting
A more recently adopted mold removal procedure, Dry Ice Blasting allows MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS certified technicians to reach areas that would be otherwise impossible to reach. Removing and killing mold spores drastically faster than traditional cleaning methods, Dry Ice Blasting is a chemical-free process that is considered to be an environmentally responsible method of mold removal.
• Wet Vacuum
A Wet Vacuum is exactly what it sounds like: a vacuum cleaner that is designed to collect water. In areas where there is a large amount of water damage, a Wet Vacuum may be utilized to remove water from floors, carpets, and other hard surfaces where water may have accumulated. Wet Vacuums should not, however, be used where liquid isn’t present, as they may actually spread mold spores to other areas of the home.
• HEPA Vacuum
MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS certified technicians frequently use HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Vacuums for the final stages of a remediation. After materials have been dried and all contaminated materials have been removed, the technician will employ a HEPA Vacuum to take care of all remaining mold particles that may be present.
• Dry Brushing/Agitation
Dry Brushing, or Agitation, is a very common procedure wherein wire brushing or sanding is used to combat mold on solid wood surfaces, like the subfloor of framing of your home. Although this method is very effective, it must be used as a supplementary form of mold remediation, and is never the sole method used to eradicate mold from a home.
Still have some questions? All of the technicians at MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS will provide you with a detailed explanation of the techniques that will be used in the mold remediation process.
WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
If there is a possibility that mold may have entered the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system, there may be need for further action after the original remediation. DO NOT RUN THE HVAC SYSTEM if you suspect that it may be contaminated with mold – the spores could spread throughout the property, further lengthening the remediation process.
If the growth of mold in your home was caused by contaminated water or sewage, a remediation professional must be called IMMEDIATELY. The contaminated water could make you very ill, and may end up being more problematic than the mold itself.
Hidden mold may also pose a problem, as the spores may unknowingly be released into the air during the remodeling or resurfacing of areas in your home. The damage done by hidden mold is typically more severe, simply due to the delayed response time and the lack of ventilation in these areas.
Should you decide to attempt to remediate the mold on your own, take great care in choosing the methodology behind your remediation. For example, many websites list the following products as beneficial to mold remediation:
• Bleach
• Borax
• Vinegar
• Ammonia
However, using these products together could be deadly. NEVER MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA, as it creates toxic vapors that land you in the hospital, or worse. MOLD INSPECTION ILLINOIS recommends that you consult a mold remediation technician before attempting to remove any mold from your home.