Mold spores are nasty, slimy little buggers that can make your home feel (and smell) dirty like you've been living in a sewer. And they're not just gross—they can be dangerous to you and your family since they may cause allergies, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues. They're also likely to make you more susceptible to infections and cancer.

Needless to say, discovering mold in your home or office can be very upsetting and overwhelming, especially if it's your first time dealing with this problem.

What does the mold remediation process involve? Is it possible (and safe) to get rid of the mold yourself, or is it better to call mold remediation experts for the job? How much time will the project take?

Questions like these must pop up in your head left, right, and center.

Well, say no more.

This mold remediation guide will walk you through the entire process and answer all your questions in detail.

First Things First: What's Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the process of removing mold, disinfecting the affected surfaces, and cleaning up the surrounding area to prevent contamination.

When done without professional assistance, mold remediation can be tricky. If you don't have experience doing it on your own, it's better to hire experts, as they know what needs to be done and are equipped with the right tools and supplies to ensure a safe and efficient process. Their professional-grade techniques will reduce the amount of mold to the point where it can no longer damage your belongings, produce unpleasant odors, or affect your health.     

Of course, you'll have to research and consider all factors before hiring a company for the best mold remediation outcomes.

Steps Involved in Professional Mold Remediation

Mold remediation experts follow a systematic process to remove mold and disinfect homes or offices. A professional mold remediation service includes the following steps:

Step 1: Inspection of the Affected Area/s

First, mold remediation experts will assess the situation by looking at the extent of the problem and any environmental conditions that may be causing it.

They'll also examine any evidence of water damage in your home/office or surrounding area, including any mold growing on the walls or underneath floorboards. In some cases, invasive examination techniques are also used to determine the cause of mold.

Step 2: Getting Rid of Water (and Moisture)

If your property has been exposed to water damage, you'll need to get the water out of the house before any work can begin for removing the mold. This can involve using different tools and methods depending on whether there's still moisture inside or not.

Typically, mold remediation experts remove as much moisture from the affected area as possible with a vacuum or wet/dry vacuum cleaner before removing any remaining water from the home using misting fans and dehumidifiers.

If there isn't any residual moisture left behind after removing all visible water sources (like plumbing pipes), they may use a wet vacuum pump with a long hose attached—this will suck up all remaining moisture out of cracks and crevices where it might be hiding out until dry conditions return later or more damage has occurred elsewhere inside your home due to flooding rains, for example.

After that, the experts will have the source of dampness sealed before proceeding with mold remediation. Mold spores can survive for up to two years in damp environments before re-emergence, so this step is critical if you suspect that there's been a leaky roof or other water damage in your home.

Step 3: Preparing the Area for Mold Remediation

Mold remediation experts will take some precautionary measures to ensure the mold spores don't spread throughout the property. This usually involves removing all porous materials from the scene, setting up a plastic containment around the damaged area, and running a HEPA air filter to create negative air pressure.

Step 4: Killing Mold Spores

Next, all the affected materials will be removed or sanded before being cleaned with an antimicrobial agent to kill mold spores. Meanwhile, the mold remediation experts will collect samples from different areas to be tested for cross-contamination between different rooms within the property.

They'll also test air quality levels to ensure that no harmful bacteria have been introduced into your environment after the mold remediation process has begun.

Step 5: Disinfecting the Entire Place

Once the area is 100% dry and all affected materials have been removed, the experts will disinfect every surface inside the containment with an industrial-grade antimicrobial solution. They'll also sanitize all surfaces that come into contact with food or drink with an antimicrobial spray (like Clorox) to ensure they're mold-free.

How to Remove Mold Spores in the Air

Mold spores are constantly released into the air, so there's always a health risk for you and your loved ones/employees. Additionally, these spores can cause mold to spread to other areas of the property if not treated. 

Below are a few tips on reducing the number of mold spores in the air on your property:

·         Don't bring wet clothes and shoes inside the property.

·         Install air purifiers in each room.

·         Invest in HEPA filters for your HVAC unit.

·         Sanitize hard surfaces like tiled floors and windows with a mold remover spray.

·         Keep your bathroom, kitchen, and basement as dry as possible. Clean all spills immediately.

·         Keep the indoor moisture in check with dehumidifiers.

·         Inspect the gutters and have them cleaned regularly.

·         Ensure proper ventilation in the property.

Schedule a Reliable Mold Remediation Service for Your Property Today!

If you suspect mold growing in your home or office, you should contact a professional who can help you remove it safely. This is especially important if you find yourself dealing with an aggressive form of mold growth—particularly one that contains black spots.

No matter how complex your mold remediation needs are, don't hesitate to call AdvantaClean for professional mold remediation services. 

We are an IICRC-certified company featuring a team of mold remediation experts that use proper procedures in compliance with IICRC S-520 to remove all traces of mold from your property. With our expertise and techniques, rest assured that no undue damage will be caused to your property.