Mold Remediation Chicago 773-885-8528

Mold Removal Vs Mold Remediation

If your home has a mold problem, then you definitely want to get rid of it. That much is a given. Mold is a green, black, sometimes yellowish fuzzy growth on walls, flooring, piping, etc., usually accompanied by a noxious smell. And while not all molds are actively dangerous, they are unpleasant and should be dealt with promptly.

Unfortunately, far too many people think that mold removal is all that is required, and of course there are any number of companies out there who advertise using the phrase “mold removal” and who will come in an eliminate the mold from your home.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Wrong. On every count.

You have to remember that mold is the byproduct, the after effect, of a much larger problem. Usually this is water damage, but mold can also be linked to fires and even something as seemingly innocuous as increased humidity.  Unless that original problem is properly addressed, then by removing the mold, all you are doing is putting off the problem temporarily.  Mold removal is useless if the environment that is favorable to the mold growth is allowed to remain.

This is where mold remediation comes in. By remediation, we mean not just the removal of the mold growth itself, but active and thorough treatment of the affected area in order to make sure you don’t find yourself with another mold problem down the road.

The mold remediation process is twofold….one you have to eliminate the existing mold growth, and do so without causing it to spread to other areas of the home. This is done by sealing off the affected area and using specialized gear and techniques to safely remove the growth and dispose of it.

The second step, and the most important one, is to properly treat the area, as well as the problem that caused the mold in the first place. This includes repairing and restoration of any and all water damage problems in and around the home, disinfecting and sanitizing the area where the mold grew, increasing ventilation throughout said area, and bringing down relative humidity levels to within acceptable parameters, usually between 40-45%.

This second step is absolutely vital when it comes to a successful mold remediation project. Any company that you consider hiring should be able to describe this step to you in detail. If their only plan of action is to cleanup the mold, then run. Run like a river when the snow melts, and hire a qualified, experienced moldremediation professional (and for the record, that would be us, The CleanUp Guys!) to handle all of your mold and water damagerestoration needs. 

Attic Mold Removal Services 773-885-8528

HAVE YOU GOT A CASE OF ATTIC MOLD?

If you have found mold in the attic in your home or office building, you need to get an assessment done as soon as possible.  Clearing out mold in an attic or crawl space is a tedious job and really should be handled by a professional mold remediation company.  Mold removal in and of itself, may seem to be a simple task.  But if not handled properly it can easily spread into other areas of the home.  Many may the mistake of using a fan or blower while involved in the mold removal task. This is an absolute no-no.  The blower itself becomes contaminated as well as the rest of the environment that the mold spores are shot towards.

INSPECT: The attic is prone to getting mold activity because it is exposed to various intrusions of moisture or humidity.  Since we as homeowners don't go up there a lot, it can develop go unnoticed for weeks, months, and even years.  You should inspect attic at least once a month to make sure no creepy mold contaminants are forming.  Even in the most pristine of attics and crawl spaces, mold can find its way.

VENTILATE: What is proper ventilation?  It is the proper air flow in the space to keep moisture levels at bay and a more controlled humidity.  Attics can be a great source for mold or fungi activity because many of them don't have proper ventilation or air flow.  Fresh air needs to be circulated somehow to keep the environment safe.  Safe from what?  Well, germs, fungi, microorganisms, and the like can breed uninhibited.  To keep these critters from manifesting themselves a good cleaning along with regular maintenance will do the trick.

CLEAN: Some tend to try to clean it themselves.  And while cleaning is a proper thing to do in most cases, it is a lot different with mold.  We must remember that mold removal is not mold killing or mold destroying.  You need to get at the root of the problem, by completely eradicating it or it will most certainly resurface.  Porous materials such as wood, boards and certain fabrics need something that will penetrate and get at the source of the problem at its roots.  If mold spores are not exterminated properly, it will return to feed on more materials in your attic or crawl space.  Thus, wiping it away is a temporary bandage at best.

You need a professional mold remediation and mold removal company who will use the right agents to get the job done.  There are specialized techniques and specific products along with Negative Air Equipment needed to rid your space of mold.  A EPA rated HEPA air scrubber and/or HEPA vacuum equipment should be administered.  Sometimes, the mold is so bad that the only way to get it out would be to remove the infected source completely, as in drywall, baseboards, trimming, doors, etc., that may be contaminated, properly bagged and discarded.  This way the mold contaminants don't come into contact with anything else in your home or office space.

If you want to get at the source of your mold issues, and get it done right a mold remediation contractor might be the best way to go!