Mold is an unwelcome guest in any home. Understanding the nuances of between mold mitigation vs remediation. Terms like remediation, removal, abatement, and mitigation, can be bewildering for many homeowners. This article is written in a clear way so you know exactly which service you need.
What is Mold Remediation?
Mold remediation focuses on the process of stopping, eliminating, and preventing any further mold infestation or damage to property. It involves cleaning the air, mold odor and removing mold spores, and restoring the property to a safe and suitable living condition.
However, the terms “mold removal,” “mold abatement,” and “mold mitigation” are sometimes used to describe similar processes within the mold remediation industry.
Complete Mold Removal – The Act Of Removing Mold
When someone mentions mold removal after mold inspection, they are typically referring to the act of physically removing mold-affected materials, such as drywall or furniture, from a property.
The problem with focusing solely on mold removal is that it might not address the broader aspects of mold remediation, such as preventing further mold growth, killing antifungal bacteria and treating the airborne mold spores. While removal might eliminate visible mold, it might not fully remediate or mitigate the mold issue.
Mold Mitigation – Pumping The Brakes On Mold Growth
Mold mitigation primarily aims to prevent additional mold growth within a structure. It comes into play when there has been a water leak or other sources of moisture that have led to mold growth. Mitigation strategies may involve installing dehumidifiers or employing various tactics to halt mold growth.
In essence, mitigation focuses on slowing down or preventing mold from spreading further. Most professional mold remediation service can get that done for you in no time once you call to get rid of last minute fixes to a house project or before closing a real estate deal.
Mold Abatement – Remove All Hazardous Materials
Mold abatement is essentially synonymous with mold remediation to completely remove all hazardous materials until it no longer poses a threat. It encompasses the overall goal of reducing and eliminating mold from the living space.
A licensed and certified mold remediation expert or mold removal expert will typically strive to achieve the same objectives: removing affected materials from the property and treating the air to ensure the mold spore count is at a safe level.
Process of Mold Remediation
Mold Containment
To avoid cross-contamination, it is crucial to establish containment measures. If one area, such as a bedroom, is affected by mold, precautions must be taken to prevent the mold from spreading to other areas, like the kitchen. Setting up proper containment helps limit the mold’s reach during the mold remediation process. Most mold remediation services can get that done in no time, so you don’t have to go buy the materials.
Remove Mold Spores and Clear The Airborne spores
While physical removal of mold spores and mold-affected materials may be necessary, the focus is not solely on removing visible mold. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA air filtration) air scrubbers are employed to filter the air and capture mold spores. This ensures that the air undergoes sufficient filtration, reducing the mold spore count and nasty mold odor in the living space.
Negative Air Pressure
Negative pressure systems typically incorporate exhaust fans that draw air from the containment area and exhaust it to the outdoors. This ventilation helps to remove airborne mold spores, further reducing their concentration within the affected space. The lower air pressure inside the containment area prevents the movement of air, minimizing the chances of mold spores escaping into other parts of the house.
Third-Party Verification
After the mold remediation process is completed, it is advisable to engage a third-party professional to conduct a verification or post-clearance test. This test determines whether the mold spore count has been reduced to reasonable levels. It is important to note that achieving a zero mold spore count is not always feasible or necessary since mold plays a natural role in the environment. However, the post-clearance mold inspection helps ensure that the remediation efforts have been successful in significantly reducing the mold contamination.