Molds and mildew are found everywhere both inside and outside your property regardless of where you live or how clean you keep your property.Today we know we have over 200,000 different types of mold in various shapes, colors and textures. The only way to control their growth is to control moisture. Sources of moisture are inside homes, businesses, and schools especially when there are leaks through basements, roofs and walls; presence of condensation on bathrooms and windows; standing water left in drains, damp house plants; moisture from cooling, dehumidifying equipment & heating; and damp carpets and wet floors.
To prevent mold growth, you have to prevent any kind of leaks, dry up all standing water, and provide air to areas which are like to increased humidity like bathrooms and kitchens, and dry or remove as soon as possible damp carpets and furniture. There are even paints that inhibit molds that you can easily use indoors. In humid weather, use your air conditioners and dehumidifiers. The moment you spot or suspect mold in your home, it is recommended to contact a certified mold tester or hygienist industrial for mold testing.
Some molds produce toxins also called volatile organic compounds that are products of their metabolism. VOC has a musty smell and some produce adverse health effects. In contract, toxins are considered very dangerous to humans.
Mold spores can get inside your homes in various ways: through open doors and windows and they attached to people and pets. For a mold spore to grow, these are the essentials: presence of moisture, and food source
Mold testing can be accomplished in two basic ways. The first is a do-it-yourself mold removal is not reliable anymore and using some homemade mold remedies could not be that effective anymore. The most important aspect is mold testing. A certified professional who has the knowledge and special equipment to assess, plan and take various air and surface samples.
Assessment:
Mold remediation can be costly and that is why you should hire a certified company. A good mold remediation specialist will not start a mold remediation until they have reviewed the mold test results from a certified laboratory. This will confirm what types of mold and the spore count you are dealing with. Sometimes intrusive work is necessary because professional mold remediation contractors want to get to the root of the problem.
Containment:
The contractor will completely close off the affected area in order to not furthermore spread mold to the other parts of the house. This means blowing a lot of these spores around because these spores are released into the air. Plastic sheeting will be used to contain the spores. If more than one room is affected, one room at a time will be worked on.
Removal:
This can be the most challenging part. Sometimes mold damage is too extensive or severe that the remediation contractor will have to remove the porous material (wood or concrete) entirely. Molds feed on almost any surface and they need to be extracted for the roots to be killed. Once the mold remediation has been completed your will need a post clearance test to determine if your indoor air quality is back to acceptable levels for you and your family to live.