Gladhill Service’s Mold Remediation Process is customized to meet the specific moisture and ventilation issues of each home. The process begins with an inspection that we use to develop a strategy, and (in many cases) it ends with a lab-tested air sample at the completion of the job.
However, one of the most important steps in the Mold Remediation Process is containment and HEPA filtration. If proper action isn’t taken to prevent the spread of mold throughout the cleaning process, the mold problem could recur or even get worse.
To understand why containment and HEPA are important, we have to look at how mold spreads and some of the techniques that Mold Remediation professionals use to prevent it.
Why Mold Containment and HEPA Filtration are Important
Mold is a Living Organism
Mold is a living organism with a vested interest in reproducing and spreading. It might start in a basement, attic or crawl space, but it is often discovered in a separate area of the house than its source. For example, someone might discover mold in their upstairs bathroom, clean it and watch in dismay as it returns time-after-time. When we do inspections, we often find that the problem originates elsewhere on the property and was transported there by other means.
Mold Will Spread to Any Suitable Environment
When mold is established, it releases spores that will, themselves, settle in new locations. The microscopic spores typically land “up” – underneath steps or on a ceiling or underneath a table. If the moisture and ventilation are suitable, they’ll establish roots and start to grow. Mold spores are microscopic and when they are airborne, they are capable of floating in the air for weeks at a time.
Cleaning without Containment and HEPA Can Cause Mold Spread
It may seem counterintuitive, but the cleaning process itself can actually cause mold spread by disturbing the spores and causing them to become airborne. If you go in and start to remove affected drywall or paneling – or anything that has mold on it – without properly containing it, you could be potentially spreading the mold throughout the entire house.
Mold Can Spread Through HVAC Ductwork
The chances that mold has made it into your ductwork are pretty good if you have mold in other areas of your home. For that reason, we recommend and offer duct cleaning at the completion of the mold work. Not only is ductwork an optimal place for mold to grow, but it is also an effective way to spread mold from a moist, poorly ventilated area such as a basement, attic or garage to virtually every room in a house.
Mold Containment and HEPA Strategies
The Mold Remediation Process often requires us to remove the nonstructural building materials such as drop ceilings, dry wall and carpeting. Without a containment strategy coupled with the use of HEPA Air Scrubbers, this much disruption makes mold cross-contamination extremely likely.
Gladhill Services uses a variety of containment strategies in our Mold Remediation Process including filtration, plastic barriers or even negative air chambers.
Filtration
To contain airborne mold spores, we use HEPA air scrubbers, which are large air-filtration boxes and HEPA filters that draw air into them, and we use an exhaust hose to lead it out of the house.
Plastic Barriers
Additionally, we use plastic containment barriers to keep any mold spores that may be disturbed by the cleaning process from spreading to other areas of the house as we do the work.
Liquid Rubber Application
There are some instances – a block wall in a basement, for example – where we can treat the surface and then seal the wall with a Liquid rubber application that entombs any mold living in the block itself and prevents moisture from coming through.
Negative Air Chambers
At times, we may need to use a more advanced containment strategy like negative air chambers in our effort to isolate the contaminated area. In these cases, physical barriers constructed of plastic create negative air pressure that keeps the spores from spreading during the Mold Remediation Process.
Ask About Mold Containment When Choosing a Mold Remediation Professional
The problem of mold containment is a major factor to consider when hiring a Mold Remediation professional. Companies that merely “clean” and “remove” mold are likely to fail to treat the root cause of the mold and without proper containment practices, they could potentially make the mold problem a lot worse by spreading it through the house.
Gladhill Services is a family-owned company serving Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, providing affordable termite, pest control, mold removal, duct cleaning, and waterproofing services for residential and commercial customers.
Contact us or visit us on HomeAdvisor to schedule an inspection. Mold Remediation and Duct Cleanings can be performed all year long, but learn more about why the fall and winter months might be an ideal time to do it here.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Gladhill Services not only properly remediates mold in your home or business, but also addresses the root cause of the mold problem. Gladhill will identify the causes of the mold issue and provide solutions to help keep mold from returning.