Why Should a Homeowner Look For Mold Removal Companies That Understand Containment?

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO help your New Providence property before mold spreads too far.

New Providence Homeowners Looking For The Most Effective Mold Removal Companies

Many people living in New Providence lead busy lives without much free time. That means that when you need to hire a contractor to take care of home repairs, you want the quickest and most efficient service.

This is especially true when you need mold removal companies in New Providence. No one wants mold in their home, so naturally, you want to have someone remediate it quickly. Mold removal is a complex process with several steps. Thankfully, SERVPRO of Western Union County knows how to get the best mold remediation results.

Adequate containment is key to mold removal. To understand why we first need to know how mold spreads and grows.

How does mold spread?

When you see a patch of mold in your home, you see something called the mycelium. This is a network of tiny tube-like cells called hyphae. Mold is parasitical, which means the mycelium grows by consuming the organic matter on which it lives. The food source is most likely to be wallpaper, drywall, wood, or canvas in your home.

Mold contains many microscopic mold spores. The spores detach from the mycelium and travel on the air currents. They can also travel on your clothes or shoes, your pets’ fur, or the HVAC system. To grow, mold needs:

• An organic food source
• Moisture (which is easy to come by in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room)
• The correct temperature and a dark environment

Once the spores find a place with the right conditions, they will form a new mycelium.

Can I stop mold from spreading?

It is challenging to stop spores from spreading because they are so small. You cannot see them, so you have no way of knowing if they are in the air or on your clothes. However, we can use containment to prevent spores from escaping during mold remediation.

What is containment and why does it matter?

Containment means setting up physical barriers to prevent mold spores from spreading. SERVPRO technicians set up a structure around the affected place, using plastic sheeting to cover the area and create a seal. 

How does SERVPRO set up containment?

Our technicians know that there are a few things to be mindful of when setting up containment:

• It is not enough to cover the area – we need to cover windows and doors where we are working, too
• It is vital to cover all fans and vents
• Containment should not be larger than required, as smaller containments are more effective
• Containment structures should have as few seams as possible, and these seams must be tightly sealed, so there is less chance for spores to leak out
• A good setup is not enough – we also need to monitor the air pressure differential inside the structure
  
  

Does containment stop mold from coming back?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to stop mold from coming back. Because the spores are microscopic and can be found everywhere, they can re-enter your home. However, containment can help reduce the risk of this happening, because:

• It stops mold spores escaping into the rest of your home
• It increases the number of mold spores SERVPRO removes from the air
• It captures any mold spores that come loose during the mold cleanup process

What happens inside the containment area?

There are several things we can do to remediate mold inside the containment area. We use scrubbing, wiping, and gentle abrasion to remove mold colonies. We can apply disinfectants and microbial agents. In some areas, we can use baking soda blasting to rub away the mold.

We also bring in air scrubbers and negative air machines to capture spores. Air scrubbers have powerful filters that trap spores and stop them from re-entering the room. Negative air machines vent the contaminated air outside of your home, which removes spores and also changes the air pressure, so it is even more challenging for spores to escape.

Our technicians are vigilant about using protective equipment and removing it before entering the rest of your home so that we do not carry mold spores throughout your house. 

What happens after mold remediation?

After mold remediation, we will deodorize your home. The air scrubbers we use during remediation are great for deodorizing, and we can also use carbon filters and a range of odor-eating products to get rid of leftover mold odors. 

Our team will remove all traces of the containment structure, leaving your home “Like it never even happened.” We will also check in with you after a week to answer any questions.

If you need a mold removal company you can trust, call SERVPRO of Western Union County (908) 791-9177.