If the mere thought of mold makes you recoil in disgust, you may be appalled to find fuzzy, slimy, or powdery mold growth throughout your house. Should you take steps to simply remove the mold, or is remediation the better choice? Learn the difference between the two so you can combat your mold problem correctly.

Understanding Mold

Mold growth may be off-putting, but spores are everywhere, both inside and outside your home. All they need to start growing is a little moisture, a food source, and preferably, a warm, dark environment. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and crawlspaces are common places to find mold. There are hundreds of thousands of known mold species, many of which can grow inside your home, including penicillium, aspergillus, and Stachybotrys (toxic black mold).

Mold Removal?

Some restoration companies claim to offer complete “mold removal,” but this is misleading. The fact is mold can never be removed entirely because spores are ubiquitous. It doesn’t matter how thoroughly you clean a surface—if the environment is prime for mold growth, it will return. That’s why remediation is the right way to go.

Mold Remediation

The goal of remediating mold growth is to restore out-of-control fungi to normal levels. Consider what this multi-step process entails.

Mold Inspection

The first step is to identify signs of mold problems. Testing may be required if you notice standing water, discolored surfaces, and lingering musty odors, but you don’t see visible mold growth. Getting a spore count is also useful to estimate the level of contamination.

Mold Containment

The affected area must be sealed off to prevent mold from spreading during the cleanup process. This is usually accomplished by installing physical barriers and negative air pressure chambers.

Air Filtration

In cases of large-scale contamination, high-efficiency air filters may be installed in the home’s HVAC system. Turning on the blower picks up active spores from around the house and traps them in the filter. HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaners may also be used to remove spores that have settled on surfaces.

Mold Cleanup & Sanitization

The precise cleaning method depends on what type of mold is growing, the surface it’s growing on, and the extent of the contamination. Typically, a combination of antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and biocide products is needed. Porous surfaces are the most difficult to clean and may not be salvageable. Once mold cleanup is finished, the house must be sanitized and deodorized.

Prevention

The final step is to make the environment uninhabitable for future mold growth. This usually entails controlling the humidity and removing sources of standing water. Your remediation company can offer personalized tips to help you with this.

Now that you understand the difference between mold removal and remediation, it’s clear that remediation is the smart choice. Let DKI get your indoor mold levels under control. Our remediation efforts tackle existing mold outbreaks, stop them from spreading, and help prevent future problems. Call us at 1-678-714-7273 for more information or to schedule your mold remediation services today