The Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation.
A leaky pipe in your bathroom went undetected for months until you saw what looked like mold spreading across your walls. After scrubbing the surfaces and fixing water-damaged floorboards, you notice that the mold didn’t quite go away. The cough that developed after you cleaned the walls didn’t go away either. As usual, you turn to your next-door neighbors for help.
One set of neighbors told you to call a professional to remove every mold spore from your home if you wanted to maintain a healthy, safe, and comfortable living space. Your other neighbor told you that you needed to talk to a mold remediation specialist to restore your home to normal conditions. Who’s right? What’s the difference between mold removal and mold remediation?
Mold Removal
Mold spores can reproduce rapidly when given the right conditions. The spores are present everywhere including throughout your home. This is normal. When mold spores encounter warm, moist environments, they grow out of control. Removal happens when an area is thoroughly cleared of mold spores. Mold removal companies in Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm Beach/Pompano Beach usually don’t remove 100% of the mold in a space, but they remove enough of the spores from a surface to be considered normal conditions.
Mold Remediation
While some mold contractors claim the title of “removal specialists,” many of them actually do mold remediation. This happens when a trained professional evaluates a space and discovers the presence of mold spores in quantities that may be considered abnormal levels. He or she uses commercial equipment and cleaning products to remove enough mold so that it reaches a certain level to be considered normal levels.
When Do You Need Professional Help For Mold?
Since mold overgrowth can damage textiles and wood in your home, it’s imperative that you act quickly to eliminate the problem. There are times when it’s appropriate to remove the mold yourself. When mold covers an area in your home that measures less than 10 square feet, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages you to clean the area yourself with water and a detergent that’s safe for the cleaning surface. The agency suggests wearing personal protective equipment such as goggles and gloves when cleaning mold. In general, the EPA advises homeowners to seek professional help when it comes to removing mold from large spaces. Also, you’ll want to call in the professionals when the water damage in a small space was caused by a sewage leak.
Benefits of Getting Professional Mold Remediation
Mold remediation can be a challenge for do-it-yourself weekend warriors. If you’re not careful, you can transfer mold from one part of your home to another part. There are hundreds of varieties of mold, and some can be considered toxic. Professionals follow guidelines for safe, effective mold cleaning. They have the proper diagnostic tools that let them know when the spores have been sufficiently cleaned. Many of them also apply a cleaning solution to clean surfaces that help to prevent them from getting moldy again. However, most importantly, keeping indoor living conditions dry is the most effective way to keep mold at bay.
If you might be having issues with mold in your home, please call us today! (954) 610-2775