Mold Removal Salt Lake City is the process of removing and cleaning areas affected by mold. Remediation experts will use EPA-approved biocides to kill the mold and make the spores sterile so they can’t spread.
To clean mold off walls, make a solution of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and scrub the area. You can also use a sponge or cloth soaked in water and vinegar or baking soda to wipe non-porous surfaces.
1. Inspection and Moisture Survey
Molds often grow in areas that are damp and poorly ventilated. Mold growth can damage building materials and can contribute to a variety of health problems in humans, including allergies, sinusitis, runny noses, headaches, fatigue, asthma, and more. Symptoms may be mild or severe, and can vary depending on the amount of exposure and the individual’s immune system. Long-term exposure can also cause other serious health conditions.
During a mold inspection, the inspector will visually inspect the property for any visible signs of mold. This includes checking for signs of water damage in the home, such as staining or water spots on walls and ceilings, as well as observing musty odors. The inspector will also use tools, such as moisture meters and infrared cameras, to detect hidden sources of water. Moisture is the key factor in any mold problem, and identifying and correcting the moisture source will help prevent future mold growth.
Air sampling and surface sampling may also be conducted during a mold inspection. Samples of air and surfaces are sent to a lab to determine the type and extent of the mold contamination. This information helps the technician assess the severity of the mold problem and develop a remediation plan.
If mold is found, the technician will isolate the area and seal it off from the rest of the house or business. This will keep mold spores from spreading to other parts of the property and can reduce the health risks of the workers involved in the remediation process.
Then, any porous or absorbent building materials that contain mold will be removed from the property. This can include removing carpeting, drywall, and insulation. Once these materials have been removed, the affected area will be sprayed with a biocide to kill the remaining spores. The area will then be wiped down and sanitized with a disinfectant. Any remaining moisture will be dried using fans, dehumidifiers, and other methods. Then, the treated areas will be inspected to ensure that the mold has been effectively eradicated and that all visible signs of mold are gone.
2. Biocide Treatment
Using an EPA-approved biocide, remediation contractors will spray the affected areas to kill mold spores and then coat the area in an antimicrobial substance called an encapsulation. This coating prevents mold from growing again. The encapsulation must dry completely, which prolongs the cleanup process. It also requires that the affected area be well-ventilated and that any fumes produced during this process are exhausted to the outside. Some biocides are considered pesticides, so it is important that the contractor who applies them be a licensed pesticide applicator.
The encapsulation is applied to non-porous materials like metals, bathtubs, tiles and countertops, but not porous items such as drywall, carpeting or insulation. During this step, professionals remove any porous building materials that are infested with mold and dispose of them properly. Depending on the type of building and local regulations, this may require the use of a respirator and disposal bag.
Another common method of cleaning mold is to use bleach or other general household cleaners. Unfortunately, this is often counterproductive because it encourages mold spores to grow more quickly by killing them off and leaving behind damp spores that are perfect breeding grounds for more mold. Furthermore, bleach is toxic to people and should never be mixed with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because it can produce highly toxic vapors.
A better alternative is to use a natural cleaner such as Benefect, which contains thyme sourced from European farms and is effective at killing mold. It also leaves a fresh thyme smell. While these cleaners are less toxic, they should still be used carefully, preferably with gloves made of natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile or polyurethane and a mask that covers the face except for the nose and mouth. In addition, protective goggles without vent holes are recommended to avoid getting mold or spores in the eyes. It is also advisable to wear long pants and socks to protect the legs and feet from accidental exposure. During the cleaning process, it is important to isolate the affected area and keep contaminated air from spreading to other areas of the building by sealing off the impacted space with plastic sheeting and duct tape and running a negative air machine to filter mold spores.
3. Removal of Building Materials
If the mold is only on non-porous surfaces, they can usually be cleaned with standard cleaning agents and detergent solutions. However, porous or absorbent materials such as carpet, ceiling tiles and drywall need to be removed and discarded, since it may not be possible to clean them completely without causing further damage.
If any structural elements of the building have been affected, they will need to be removed as well. This typically includes baseboards, drywall, carpeting, tack strip, and insulation. This step can be extremely costly, but if the mold has spread into the wall cavities and cannot be accessed with normal construction methods, removal is often necessary.
Once the mold-infected materials have been removed, they need to be disposed of properly to prevent any further contamination or spread of the spores. This is done by placing all materials in plastic bags that are at least 6 mil thick, double-bagging them and tying them closed. These can then be discarded as regular trash once they have been wiped down with a solution of water and detergent to disinfect them.
In addition, any contaminated cleaning tools or supplies that cannot be disinfected must be placed in heavy-duty trash bags and disposed of through a different exit than the main home to avoid stirring up the spores in the air. This is also true for the HVAC system, which must be cleaned and sanitized in order to ensure that any remaining mold spores aren’t spread throughout the house.
The last step in mold remediation is to dry out the area. For Level 2 remediation, this means isolating the contaminated space from other areas of the house by closing doors and windows between them. Then the area is dried using fans and dehumidifiers to ensure that a certain humidity level is met.
This final step in mold removal is crucial, because unabated mold growth and exposure can lead to serious health problems for anyone living in the home. It can cause a wide range of illnesses, including gastrointestinal issues and respiratory conditions. It can even be fatal for those with weak or compromised immune systems. The best way to prevent unchecked mold growth is to correct the factors that caused it in the first place, such as addressing leaks and ensuring proper ventilation.
4. Disinfection
Once the mold is killed and the building materials are removed, the remaining surface areas need to be disinfected to prevent the return of any mold spores that might otherwise cause a new outbreak. Non-porous surfaces such as drywall, counters and vanities can be scrubbed and wiped clean with water and a mild detergent or bleach. For more porous materials such as fabric, carpet or rugs, the best option is to remove these items from the building and dispose of them in accordance with local regulations. This is called remediation and is typically a job for professionals, as it requires the use of highly specialized equipment to ensure that all surfaces are decontaminated before moving them to an unaffected area.
It’s important to make sure that the air is properly ventilated during any cleaning or demolition work, and personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. This includes gloves, eye protection, and a face mask with a N95 filter or higher. If the contamination is extensive, a HEPA air filter might also be necessary. It is also a good idea to cover any furniture or other items that cannot be moved from the affected area with heavy-duty plastic sheeting.
Hydrogen peroxide is an effective alternative to bleach for sanitizing and killing mold. It is safe for the environment and does not produce toxic fumes. A 3% concentration solution can be used by spraying the affected area to completely saturate it. After spraying, the area should be allowed to sit for 10 minutes before being scrubbed and rinsed with clean water. After rinsing, the area should be thoroughly dry.
If the area is not yet ready to be remodeled or used, it is a good idea to set up fans and dehumidifiers to speed up drying. Moisture levels should be below 12 to 15 percent before rebuilding or painting.
It is also a good idea to inspect the surrounding areas of a building for any signs of mold, as often the fungus is hiding in places that are not immediately visible. In addition, it is important to correct the conditions that created the original moisture build-up, such as checking pipes and repairing leaks, as well as cleaning non-porous surfaces with a mildewcide.