Mold Abatement
What is mold?
The statements below are all directly from the EPA website. If you would like more information, click here to be directed to the EPA website.
Molds are organisms that can be found indoors and outdoors. They are part of the natural environment and play an important role by breaking down and digesting organic material (such as dead leaves). Molds are neither plants nor animals; they are part of the kingdom Fungi.
What are the dangers?
Mold is not usually a problem indoors — unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. As molds grow they digest whatever they are growing on. Unchecked mold growth can:
- Damage buildings and furnishings
- Rot wood
- Damage drywall
- Cause structural damage to buildings
- Cause cosmetic damage, such as stains, to furnishings
The potential human health effects of mold are also a concern. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions, or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce toxins and/or irritants. It is important, therefore, to prevent mold from growing indoors.
where can i find mold?
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed.
Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings. Moisture problems can have many causes, including uncontrolled humidity. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to changes in building construction practices during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Some of these changes have resulted in buildings that are tightly sealed, but may lack adequate ventilation, potentially leading to moisture buildup. Building materials, such as drywall, may not allow moisture to escape easily, which if left unsolved can lead to mold growth. Other moisture problems may occur from roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building, and unvented combustion appliances.
How We Remediate Your Mold
The first thing we do when we are dealing with mold is to find out, and locate what is causing the mold growth. Typically, the main reason for mold growth is due to excessive and untreated moisture sources. We always recommend our clients to use dehumidifying units in areas that are known to be damp, especially basements.
Once the issue is located, the next step is to work on correcting this problem. After the source of moisture is fixed, we then perform the remediation and sanitization of all contaminated services utilizing the following methods:
Mold Spot Repair is utilized for minor mold disturbances. This is usually solved once the water issue is eliminated, the mold is removed, and the surfaces are appropriately sanitized and lock down.
Full Mold Remediation is required on large-scale projects where a vast majority of materials are affected and cannot be salvaged (specifically porous items/building materials). This type of remediation often deals with the gross decontamination of multiple surfaces (and sometimes locations) throughout a facility. During this process, clients can expect the following:
- Interior demolition to access all affected areas
- Thorough cleaning utilizing antimicrobial agents to destroy active mold-spores
- Encapsulation to prevent future mold-growth
- Post Remediation Visual and Air Clearance Inspections to confirm that the quality of the air is back to a healthy level and is within an acceptable range according to CDC regulations.