Mold Remediation Salt Lake City is a process that includes several steps. These include inspection and monitoring, containment, cleaning, sanitization and disposal.
The first step is to isolate the area. This is done to prevent mold spores from spreading to other areas of the house. It is common to use plastic sheeting and negative air pressure to achieve containment.
Mold spores are airborne and can be spread throughout your home. They can cause a wide range of health problems, especially for people with allergies, asthma or compromised immune systems. Molds can also cause damage to building materials and furnishings.
The first step in a mold remediation process is to determine the extent of mold contamination, which includes identifying all areas with visible and invisible mold growth. During this step, the underlying source of moisture is identified, including hidden areas, such as in air conditioning ducts. Porous building materials that are wet or moldy, such as drywall and carpeting, must be discarded. This is done to minimize exposure and prevent the spreading of mold spores throughout your house.
After determining the scope of the problem, the mold remediation company will use special equipment to test the air quality. This will include a high-level air sampler to measure the levels of fungal spores in the air. The test results will provide a baseline reading and can be used to monitor the progress of the work.
The next step is to contain the contaminated area. This involves separating the moldy area from the rest of your house with double layers of polyethylene and a decontamination chamber or airlock. The door to the decontamination area should be sealed with a slit entry and covered with a flap on each side to prevent the escape of mold spores.
During the containment process, the mold remediation crew will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The contaminated building materials will be bagged and sealed and then disposed of according to EPA guidelines. It is important that all contaminated surfaces are cleaned and dried thoroughly to prevent the spread of mold spores throughout your house.
Containment
Mold spores become airborne during remediation, and if not contained properly can spread to unaffected areas of the building. To ensure that this does not occur, mold experts set up containment barriers around the affected area using polyethylene sheeting. These sheets are affixed to the floor, ceiling and walls of the room or space, forming a barrier between the remediation work area and unaffected areas of the building. The choice of the level of containment is based on professional judgment: the more heavily contaminated an area is and the greater the potential for it to distribute mold spores to occupied spaces during cleanup, the more likely it is that full containment will be required.
To further prevent cross-contamination, negative air machines with high efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters are run continuously during the remediation process. This helps to eliminate airborne mold spores, dust and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) that would otherwise be circulated throughout the entire building during the clean-up process.
When possible, mold professionals will spray an EPA-approved biocide on surfaces in the affected area to make them sterile. This is especially useful on non-porous items like bathtubs and countertops, but also on porous materials that can’t be removed, such as wooden wall studs.
As the surface cleaning and drywall removal progresses, HEPA vacuuming will continue. This will remove a significant amount of the dust and MVOCs that have become airborne during the cleanup, preventing them from being redistributed into the cleaned area and contributing to future mold growth. To further reduce the amount of MVOCs in the air, a containment hallway is created by taping polyethylene sheeting to the floors and ceiling from the entrance/exit of the work area all the way to the outside of the building.
Cleaning
Mold spores can be difficult to remove from porous surfaces, such as wood. A natural and inexpensive solution is to use a combination of detergent and baking soda. Add a teaspoon of soap and two cups of water to a spray bottle, shake, and spray the surface. Scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush and use paper towels to soak up excess moisture. If there is still visible mold present, sprinkle a thin layer of borax to the area, allow to sit for 10 minutes, and scrub again. This will kill the roots of the mold and prevent future growth.
If drywall is affected by mold, it must be ripped out and replaced. Using proper containment procedures, a qualified remediator will replace the moldy section of drywall and ensure that the new drywall is properly installed and sanded to prevent further mold growth.
A variety of cleaning and disinfecting techniques can be used to rid the home of mold, but it is vital that a professional examine the situation before proceeding. It is also a good idea for homeowners to wear protective clothing, including gloves, goggles, and a mask. Open windows and doors, if possible, to ventilate the space.
This step varies depending on the severity of the contamination and includes cleaning non-porous materials, disposing of porous materials that cannot be cleaned, and using specialized equipment to sanitize the air and surfaces. In some cases, a biocide (chemical that kills organisms) may be used in the mold removal process. After the cleaning and disinfecting is complete, a mold expert should run tests to ensure that all of the mold has been removed from the building.
Sanitization
A sanitizer is something that kills pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and molds. It can be used to clean surfaces that have been in contact with these harmful organisms, such as countertops and toilet seats. However, sanitization is not foolproof, as it cannot remove all types of organisms and can still leave behind fungal growth and some bacteria. Therefore, it is not a substitute for cleaning and should only be used when it is absolutely necessary.
During the remediation process, mold experts will use the following steps to effectively clean and sanitize contaminated spaces: Containment: This involves separating the affected space from the rest of the building using double layers of polyethylene and an airlock for entry and exit. Remediators and occupants should wear disposable clothing during the containment process to avoid transfer of mold spores from clothes to skin. Additionally, personal protective equipment should be worn, such as a respirator and face mask to minimize exposure to mold spores and other contaminants.
Cleaning: Remediators will use specialized equipment and cleaning products to remove all visible mold from nonporous surfaces and materials. Porous materials, such as drywall and insulation, may need to be removed and will be replaced once the area has been sanitized. Nonporous materials that are salvageable, such as tile and hardwood, will be cleaned. Air filtration: HEPA filters will be used to clean the air in the affected area and prevent the spread of spores throughout the building.
The last step of a professional mold remediation project is testing. Once the space has been cleaned, a mold expert will run tests to ensure that no traces of fungus remain and that the building is safe for habitation.
Disposal
Mold is any type of fungus that grows on organic materials. It can be found in a wide range of forms, from fuzzy black spots to slimy green patches. It thrives in damp dark places and is incredibly toxic to the human body.
When mold spores land on damp spots or surfaces they begin growing and digesting whatever they are attached to in order to survive. They also spread by creating tiny airborne spores that continuously circulate throughout the indoor and outdoor air. These spores can travel through air vents, openings, and doors and become trapped in a building’s interior. They may then be inhaled by humans, leading to respiratory issues such as coughing and wheezing, especially for those with weak immune systems or pre-existing breathing disorders.
During the cleaning process, professionals use a variety of techniques to clean and sanitize surfaces, fabrics, and other materials affected by mold. They will spray an EPA-approved biocide on porous items like wooden wall studs to kill and sterilize the mold spores. This step can take one to five days depending on the extent of the contamination and the area being cleaned. During this time it is essential to have a decontamination chamber or airlock that can be used for entry and exit, as well as a fan that is able to blow the contaminated spores outside of the containment zone.
When finished, all contaminated items must be removed and properly disposed of. Any porous materials or furniture containing mold should be wrapped in thick plastic and placed in an airtight bag before being transported for disposal. These items should be labeled “mold” so that waste management companies can treat them differently from normal garbage and prevent cross-contamination during removal and transportation.