Common Mold Removal Mistakes - Advice from Your Mold Remediation Company
As Thornton's premier mold remediation company, we often get called into buildings where an attempt has been made to clean up mold, but mistakes were made.
Mold can be a tricky beast, and it doesn't take much for it to spread uncontrollably if you don't use the right mold removal strategy, tools, and materials.
Learn more about the most common mold remediation mistakes and how to avoid them in this article.
1. Not Finding All the Mold
Mold can get into all the nooks and crannies around your property. Unfortunately, a little bit of mold goes a long way. It doesn't take long before you are back to square one if you don't get it all during the mold remediation process.
Regardless of how thorough you think you were, it will all be for naught if you manage to leave even one small area untreated.
Mold will grow back fast, leaving many property owners feeling like they are always on mold cleanup duty.
It can get to the point where you may feel like you will never be rid of the stuff. However, a solution is available. Your local mold remediation company will be happy to come in and perform an assessment.
With their experience and expertise, you can be sure that you will finally be free of your problem moldy surfaces for good.
2. Painting Over a Mold Outbreak
Painting over a mold outbreak is one of those mold remediation mistakes that can come back and bite you in the wallet.
Sure, you are covering up the problem, but it won't be long before the mold starts to show through as a grubby-looking stain.
Plus, once the mold starts to show, you can also be sure it has spread underneath the paint to cover an even bigger area.
You may think you are okay because you used mold-resistant paint. Unfortunately, these paints only prevent mold from taking hold. They won't kill any that's already present.
Find out the reason you have mold in the first place before you start dealing with it. This way, you can fix the source of the problem, so it doesn't grow back after you remove it.
If your mold problem is extensive, working with a mold remediation company will ensure every trace is removed. Plus, they can help you avoid the most common mistakes.
3. Only Doing Surface Cleaning
Don't think that if you can't see the mold, you have solved your problem. Mold spores can penetrate deep into porous materials or lurk in small cracks and crevices.
A surface clean can give you the confidence you have finally dealt with your problem, only to have it spring back up in next to no time.
Do a thorough inspection on all the surfaces you have cleaned, as well as the surrounding area, to confirm there's no mold in sight. A mold remediation company that understands mold and how it spreads can help in this regard.
4. Keeping Everything
Sometimes it's best to discard all of your affected items rather than attempt to clean them. Because mold is so pervasive, there may be items you just can't save no matter how hard you try.
Items you should always get rid of after a mold remediation service include carpets, upholstered furniture, and items made from porous wood. Mold-affected drywall should also be thrown away.
Fortunately, there are many things you can salvage, including anything made from glass, metal, and other non-porous items like porcelain tiles. Just make sure you get every last spore during the cleanup.
If you doubt whether something can be saved, check with your local mold remediation company to find out for sure.
5. Not Cleaning Deep Enough
Not all molds are visible, which can trick many property owners into thinking they have solved their mold problem. Mold spores are undetectable to the naked eye, so they could still be on the surface, ready to restart the growth cycle.
Just because you don't see any dark spots does not mean the mold has not spread to other areas. In short, always be extremely thorough when cleaning mold spots.
6. Preventing Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is always a considerable risk when tackling mold by yourself. It happens when you fail to contain the mold during the cleanup process. Spores can attach to your cleaning equipment, gloves, and boots.
This means you could easily track mold into other areas of the property if you aren't careful.
Ripping up carpet or cutting out moldy drywall with a vibrating saw can create a perfect storm of mold spores.
Always cordon off an area when dealing with mold, as this will prevent you from transporting it to other areas of the property. If there are ventilation ducts in proximity to the mold, you will need to block them off as well.
Be Safe and Call Your Mold Remediation Company
When you don't have the experience or knowledge required to stop the spread of mold, doing it yourself can make the problem significantly worse.
Mold spores spread through the air. When they reach significant numbers, they can cause respiratory distress and other health issues.
If you think you have a mold problem that goes deeper than a visual inspection, play it safe and call in a professional mold remediation company for a permanent solution.
