Mold has been a centuries-old problem, but the solution has always been the same. You demolish every inch of the infected area to stop the spread. Still, a lot of people try to look for demolition-free mold remediation solutions. As much as we would like that to be a good idea, it is not.
No matter how convincing demolition-free mold remediation may sound, its effectiveness is almost non-existant. If you have an infection under your skin, would sticking a Band-Aid on your skin be useful? That is simply not going to work. It is only a cheaper and more convenient method that would apparently provide you a fix, but would not eliminate the underlying issue.
To kill or eliminate the presence of mold in a property, some people use the fogging method. An antimicrobial pesticide is used in an aerosolized form. Although the regulations of mold removal aren’t as established as other forms of environmental cleanup, some organizations do set industry guidelines and standards.
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has declared that the vapor-based antimicrobials are not particularly effective or safe to use for mold remediation. The efficiency, delivery, and potential toxicity of the antimicrobial compounds are the top issues in using chemical-based methods. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend fogging unless the chemical used is registered for that specific purpose.
If you choose to go for demolition-free removal strategies, you would be skipping the “Phase 1” of traditional mold correction. So, starting directly with “Phase 2” only means you missed the roots of effective mold contamination.
Remediation that doesn’t include demolition fails to address the actual cause that led to the mold growth in the first place. For example, there might be water or moisture intrusion that needs to be fixed in order to prevent the mold from growing back. Humidity, moisture intrusion, or a water source must be identified and resolved before the mold is removed from the surface level. Mold removal might be done on the surface level using the fogging method, but the source of the spore growth has to be resolved or it will quickly return.
Besides this, mold has a root-like system called “hyphae”. That means the mold can physically grow by forcing its roots into porous building materials such as insulation or drywall. So employing a demolition-free method would mean that the roots won’t be eliminated.
The solution used in fogging does not penetrate the infected walls or ceilings, which allows the mold colonies to grow behind the cosmetic surfaces. No one can claim to make your house mold-free without the complete degradation of the infected area that may be accompanying mold presence. Otherwise is should be no surprise when the mold grows back.
The traditional method removes the mold before providing remediation. First, the professionals will find the source of the conditions that allow mold growth in the infected area. Next, they do a thorough mold inspection of your walls and ceilings to check for a water source or moisture. But first, they will start with the “engineering control” and seal off the area with plastic sheeting to prevent the spread.
To further ensure the prevention of spread, they use air scrubbers that remove mold spores from the air. In the next step, the professionals remove two feet of materials from the infected area to remove any mole presence. This process may include ripping out carpets, cabinets, wallboard, insulation, etc.
Only then do professionals spray chemicals on the infected wall to kill any mold left behind. So, as you can see, this method is a full-proof mold removal and remediation method. On the other hand, you cannot achieve the same results with the fogging method as it only works on the surface level.
If you have observed symptoms of mold growth in your house, you must call professionals experienced in both mold inspection and removal. Choosing to DIY with an antimicrobial pesticide spray can only intensify the issue instead of address it. So, call Mold Masters to rid your house of mold and ensure it doesn’t grow back.
The team of specialists at Mold Masters has been dealing with mold for over 20 years all across Florida. To discuss mold removal in your home today, call us at one of our offices (Central Florida: 813-606-6668, South Florida: 239-961-9995, North Florida: 904-397-4030). You can also contact us online.
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