Why We Must Contain the Mold Then Decontaminate It

3/15/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Contains the Mold then Decontaminates

When you are dealing with any mold damage, there are particular steps and precautions that need to be taken. We at SERVPRO understand this, and we have the experience and knowledge to provide you with the thorough and safe remediation that you would expect from any professional.

Mold is dangerous and can cause adverse health effects if it is not taken care of right away. That is why if you have mold damage in Cleveland of any kind, you should contact our technicians at SERVPRO right away so we can come out and assess the damage, create a plan of remediation and take care of the issue. Below is a list of some of the major steps that are needed in the process of mold remediation. Other steps might be needed, but above all else, safety takes priority over all over procedures, and we pride ourselves in following all safety regulations.

Establishing Containment
Our professionals will first work to contain the mold to make sure it does not spread to areas which are uncontaminated and to protect you and your family. We will be careful not to introduce airflow to areas that are uncontained to avoid spreading contamination to other regions. Building containment can include the following:  

• Installing sheets of plastic for containment barriers.
• Making a negative air pressure in the contaminated area.
• Sealing HVAC vents to stop contamination of the duct system.
• Establishing rooms that are clean and decontamination rooms for entering, leaving and decontaminating materials and equipment.

Removing Mold Contamination
The process for removing mold depends on the kind of surface the mold is on. Materials that are nonporous can usually be cleaned. However, visible mold growth will many times need to be taken out of the home and discarded.

•  We will remove porous materials that are extensively contaminated by mold, active mold growth on porous materials, like carpeting, fabrics, drywall, and insulation is removed by getting rid of the material itself.
• We will get rid of mold from nonporous materials by cleaning. These materials include metals, glass, plastics and the like. Mold can be removed by HEPA vacuuming when we are dealing with a dry surface or by wiping with a damp cloth and detergent solution if it is growing in a layer of soils.
• Materials will be HEPA vacuumed first to remove fragments of loose mold, and then if needed, materials will be agitated to get rid of mold. Semi-porous materials can be cleaned by damp wiping, sanding, wire brushing or other abrasive methods. Semi-porous materials include concrete and wood.
• For long-duration and heavy exposures, wood materials might have to be removed if their structural integrity has been weakened by rot. Dust and settled spores will then be removed, many times by using HEPA vacuuming and damp wiping, even on porous materials.

Everything is then dried to stop any further growth of mold with air movers and dehumidifiers.

Because we at SERVPRO of Bradley County know and follow these procedures, you are aware that you will be getting thorough mold remediation when you give us a call. We can be contacted any time of day, any day of the year by dialing (423) 614-5552.