Today we’re looking at how best to handle Mold at a property yourself, and when the situation calls for professional mold remediation. Many homeowners experience the growth of mold over time. It’s completely normal and happens in a majority of households around the world, depending on the climate and other factors.

We reached out to FDP Mold Remediation, based in Texas, and asked them to share some insight as to when it might be okay for homeowners to handle their mold themselves, and when they should leave it to the professionals.

So if you have a problem with mold at your property, read on to learn all about it!

The difference between mold removal and mold remediation

According to the team at FDP Mold Remediation who works with mold remediation in Dallas and the surrounding area, you might be able to handle some cases of basic mold removal yourself. But the more severe cases of growth tend to need professional care, not just to ensure the mold does not grow back over time, but perhaps more importantly, to ensure you don’t handle toxic mold yourself.

Mold Removal

Let’s start by taking a closer look at mold removal and what it entails. Just as the name suggests, the term simply covers the process of removing the existing mold. In some cases it is possible to spray vinegar or other products on top of the patch to remove the mold and clean the area affected by the spores.

Since mold can be toxic in nature, it is important never to remove mold if you are unsure of the type, you can risk damage to your lungs and contract other severe illnesses, so always ensure you work under safe conditions.

Mold Remediation

This term covers all aspects of proper mold removal, including chemical solutions that neutralize the mold spores and ensures the mold will not return in the future. But it also covers identifying the various strains of mold, and taking appropriate measures during cleaning, removal and after-care.

In general there are six steps required for a successful mold remediation project, though it is not always that a specific situation calls for all six steps to be used, nor in the order as follows:

Mold Inspection

The first step is almost always to inspect the mold, identify the strain and assess the damage already done, as well as the best steps forward. A proper mold remediation service will include all of the above, and provide plenty transparent information to the property owner along the way.

Mold Containment

Depending on the type of mold, it can be necessary to work on containing the spread of the spores when working on the affected area. By not setting up a proper mold containment protocol, you run the risk of contaminating other areas of your property while working on removing the existing mold.

Air purification

While the past few years have seen a rise in air purifiers being sold as good against mold, the matter of fact is that they only hide the smell, but do not fully eliminate the spores. There are certain HEPA filters that can be used to ensure a safe airflow, and depending on your specific situation, it might be necessary.

Removal of the mold

Once the preliminary work has been established, it is time to remove the actual mold from the walls, ceilings and other affected areas. Depending on the type of mold, and the building materials, the best products should be applied for the particular strain to ensure the mold will not continue growing under the surface. And to ensure all the different clusters of mold are targeted successfully, a methodical and professional approach is necessary.

Cleaning and repairing

Once the mold spores have been removed properly, there might be signs of visible damage on the underlying structure. In some cases it can simply be painted over, while in more severe cases, rebuilding or repairing the structural elements might be what is needed.

Preventative measures

Last but not least, preventative measures might be crucial to ensure the best results going forward. This can include drying the affected areas, and installing ventilation to keep the humidity levels appropriate, as well as a range of other solutions depending on the specific situation.

Conclusion

Due to the sophisticated and complex nature of the process, mold remediation is only performed by experts in their field, and requires extensive training and knowledge to perform correctly, and safely. While it might be costlier than a basic removal, remediation ensures the best safety, not just for the people involved in the process, but also for the structure of the property itself.