Understanding Mold Remediation in Topeka, KS
Mold is already problematic and confusing enough thanks to the large number of varieties, dangers, and treatments. On top of that, the use of industry-specific jargon such as “mold remediation” can leave Kansas property owners feeling even more daunted when beginning to tackle an unwanted infestation problem after a rainy day.
Can’t I Just Remove the Mold?
You can scrub mold from the walls or chop a piece of moldy wood from the attic and throw it in the trash, but unfortunately, that mold is very likely to return. When you are ready to hire an expert, understanding the key differences between mold removal and mold remediation can help you as a property owner ask the right questions. Researching services and communicating with professionals should be clarifying, not confusing.
Of course, removal makes sense, and that is where you want to start. That impulse for removal exists as soon as you discover any mold in your home. But mold is naturally occurring, and some level of growth is likely to exist in every environment. Total removal is unreasonable and often impossible. Furthermore, mold is very resilient and if spores and roots have already reached unacceptable levels, then any amateur mold removal efforts are likely to come up short. An inexperienced removal plan might be surface-level only, resulting in mold’s return to your home. Not all removal approaches are created equally, and depending on the underlying cause of your infestation, a more strategic, tailored plan of action may be required to ensure long-term success.
Understanding Mold Remediation
So what is mold remediation? The terms remediation and removal are often presented interchangeably. To avoid any confusion, be sure that professional services are prepared to clarify.
The goal of remediation should be to clean contaminated areas until they reach acceptable levels of air quality while protecting non-contaminated areas from mold spores or new growth. Within these stages of cleaning and containment, remediation should get into the “how” of mold removal. It is a multi-step process, never promising total removal, but instead communicating a specific plan of attack for your infestation. True mold remediation should encompass not just the elimination of rapid growth but also the restoration of air quality to any affected areas for the long term. Remediation covers all the procedures applied to eliminate damaging mold growth, including the containment, cleaning, and in some cases demolition necessary to eliminate unacceptable levels of mold. To top it all off, remediation should be met with the testing and re-testing of an affected area after removal to grant lasting peace of mind and ensure remediation methods have worked.
Remediation Starts with Inspection and Containment
Solving any mold problem begins with understanding the scope of the problem. To build a mold remediation strategy with a strong foundation, careful companies will follow an initial visual inspection with a more thorough equipment-driven assessment. That thorough assessment could include techniques such as thermal readings, moisture mapping, or air sampling. Layering inspections and assessments together should provide clearer boundaries for the development of a containment strategy. Remember – mold is alive! It is trying to grow and spread. Any areas deeply affected by mold should be contained to prevent further spread during removal steps.
Addressing the Root of the Problem and Beyond
Mold thrives on moisture. It can take hold anywhere it finds water and organic material. It can begin to grow over damp, porous surfaces within 48 hours. Thus it is critical to remove the source of water. Wet or damp areas must be dried. Leaking plumbing systems should be fixed or replaced. Poorly ventilated areas should be properly ventilated. If the environmental factors are addressed, any clean up is more likely to be a lasting success. In a corrected environment, trained mold remediation specialists should be able to apply tried and true, EPA-recommended methods ranging from HVAC cleaning, to dry brushing or sanding, to complete debris disposal. Cleaned surfaces and porous materials should be allowed to dry. Extra equipment such as dehumidifiers, heaters, or fans may be used to expedite evaporation.
Check and Double Check that Mold Remediation is Successful
Of course, at this point there should be no patchy discoloration or staining from visible mold. But even in an area that appears clean, it can be impossible to determine whether mold has been remediated to acceptable levels without careful additional testing. Depending on your property and the extent of your infestation problem, further environmental testing may be intermittently beneficial to verify that mold is not returning. In some cases, strip or surface testing may be enough, though air quality tests that rely on secure samples typically provide the most thorough information. If acceptable levels are maintained in the subsequent weeks and months, then you can rest easily knowing that your mold remediation specialists put together a winning strategy.
Quality Mold Services in Topeka
We offer 24-hour phone service to all customers and potential customers. We know that water damage emergencies happen during the workday.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our mold removal, dehumidification, mold assessment, mold inspection, and mold testing throughout Topeka.
Our phone is answered 24/7. Call us now: 785-503-3327! Our friendly, caring staff is excited to help you, and our certified technicians are available to assist with your emergency mold removal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mold remediation is the act of removing and/or cleaning surfaces of visible or suspected molds to restore the environment to pre-loss conditions.
Yes! If the environmental conditions that facilitated mold growth are not addressed and repaired, then mold growth can and probably will return.
Mold remediation is considered successful when the environment is brought back to pre-loss conditions. Typically, the indoor air quality, in regard to air born mold spores, should be about the same as the outside when compared to the inside. Visible mold growth should be removed or cleaned from all surfaces.
This can obviously vary depending on a number of circumstances, such as size of the affected area, accessibility, etc. Typically, you can expect a remediation project to take anywhere from a day or two, to a few weeks.
In most cases, yes!
Lamunyon Dry Out and Foundation Repair does not replace any removed drywall, or other building materials. This should be done by a third party of the property owner’s choice.
This can vary widely depending on a number of factors including size, scope, and accessibility of the remediated areas. Only by doing a thorough inspection can a cost be determined.