Mold Removal vs. Mold Remediation
About 100,000 fungal species are known to exist. Roughly 500 of them are harmful to humans, and many of them are airborne.1 It’s always important to address mold issues right away. Home and business owners often consider mold removal vs. remediation; here’s a look at what these interchangeable terms mean.
What Is Mold Removal?
Companies often state they’ll remove any mold found. While this sounds like a great selling point, it just isn’t true. There will always be mold spores in the air. There’s no water/bleach mix or service provider that can eliminate every dormant mold spore, and mold will grow wherever conditions are damp.
What Is Mold Remediation?
Mold remediation is a labor-intensive process that requires specialized equipment. The price of restoration depends on the complexity of the job and size of the affected area. It can run into the thousands of dollars.
As mold can infiltrate flooring, drywall, furniture, fabric, carpets, cabinets, and structural materials, a mold remediation restoration project can be quite extensive. Cleanup may require industrial cleaning chemicals, air containment barriers, and HEPA vacuums. Technicians may be required to wear hazmat suits and respirators, depending on the severity of the problem.
A multi-step process, mold remediation aims to eliminate as much mold as possible and address the cause of the problem. Remediation projects generally follow these steps:
- Professional inspection to look for visible mold and sample the air.
- Sealing off moldy areas by shutting HVAC equipment and installing negative air chambers or other physical barriers.
- Reducing active spores by inserting a high-efficiency filtration system in the HVAC unit.
- Cleaning up mold colonies with antifungal and antimicrobial compounds; the product used varies for porous and non-porous surfaces.
- Deodorizing rooms with foggers and sanitizing furniture, clothing, and other belongings with specialized cleaners.
What Causes Mold?
Mold is most common in basements, attics, sinks, showers, and windows. It can also grow within air conditioners, washing machines, and walls and ceilings. Once an area becomes watery or damp, mold spores can start growing in about 48 hours. Causes of mold in a home or building include:
- High humidity levels
- Condensation
- Burst pipes
- Leaky windows/roofs
- Rainwater buildup
- Water vapor from cooking, bathing, and breathing
- Tight building envelopes, which hold in humid air
Mold and Your Health
Breathing in mold and its byproducts can result in allergies, respiratory difficulties and infections, and asthma. Mycotoxins released by some molds can cause neurological problems and death. Symptoms of mold exposure include coughing, shortness of breath, sneezing, headache, dizziness, watery eyes, skin rashes, and itching. Prolonged exposure can even compromise your immune system.
Call Titan Remediation
Fully knowledgeable about mold removal vs. remediation, our technicians are trained to remove mold using the latest technology. Our capabilities allow for a systematic cleanup while an on-site biologist helps us be as thorough, effective, and safe as possible. Schedule professional mold remediation for your West Palm Beach home or business by calling 561-475-4050 today.
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