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How Extreme Might Mold Remediation Need To Be?

Mold remediation can be very involved work. The intensity of the job will depend significantly on the situation. A technician must consider the following five factors to judge how extreme the task might be.

Location

Even if the problem is mostly surface mold, the location can make the job tougher. For example, mold may grow inside a home's walls. To access the mold inside of the walls, a professional might have to remove some of the drywall to access the interior and treat the affected areas. They will then need to replace the drywall and repaint the wall.

Source

Mold removal is one thing. Ensuring that the mold doesn't come back is another. To prevent mold's return, you need to track down the source. Suppose there's a leaky pipe in the wall in the previous example. Before you even jump to mold remediation, you may need a plumber to fix the leak. Once the plumber has addressed the leak, then a mold technician can treat the problem.

There are plenty of potential sources, too. A failing HVAC system could leave a house humid enough to promote mold. Leaks in the roof or foundation can also promote a mold-friendly environment.

Severity

Notably, extreme mold problems might require treatment before you even tackle the source. Plumbers don't usually have high-quality PPE like masks and protective suits. A plumber might have you treat the mold first. They will then fix the pipe, but it may be a good idea to schedule more mold remediation afterward to be sure.

Damage

The type of damage will also affect the project's difficulty. Surface mold on a wall may be treatable with sprays. However, mold can soak through the materials and damage the wall's materials. Mold remediation may require removing drywall, wood, and sheetrock.

Affected Areas

Some affected areas have higher risks of recurring mold than others. Basements and bathrooms are notorious mold generators. You might be able to add ventilation to reduce the humidity level. From a treatment standpoint, you would still be wise to use mold-resistant paint in high-risk areas.

The size of the problem also matters. An isolated mold problem is likely due to a limited source. If you're seeing mold problems in multiple rooms, though, the scale of the work will be larger. Also, you might be looking at more work to address a source like poor ventilation, a busted HVAC unit, or a leaky foundation.

For more information on mold removal, contact a damage contractor in your area.


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