6 Steps to Remediate Mold

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Take the Following Steps To Remove Black Mold

Remediating mold damage requires the right equipment, cleaning solutions, and methods to eliminate a fungal infestation. Restoration professionals take the following steps to remove black mold and other types of fungi and restore a commercial building.

1. Contain the Infestation
Once mold has been found in a structure, the affected area should be contained. Negative air pressure draws contaminated air and mold spores out of a building. Heavy plastic sheeting creates a physical barrier around an infestation. An airlock or decontamination chamber is also necessary for full containment.

2. Use Personal Protective Equipment
Mold cleanup workers should wear at least an N-95 respirator, eye protection, and gloves. More severe problems call for half-face or full-face air-purifying respirators with P100 filter cartridges. The most extensive or toxigenic infestations require full-face powered air-purifying respirators.

3. Tear Out Ruined Materials
Drywall, insulation, and other contaminated porous materials may need to be torn out and replaced. The species of mold, such as toxigenic black mold, may determine whether removal and replacement is the best approach.

4. Clean and Disinfect
Materials that remain intact will need to be cleaned and disinfected with a solution that has fungicide properties. These treatments eliminate the entire structure of mold down to the mycelium and hyphae.

5. Dry the Area
Moisture is the primary risk factor for mold. Dry the cleaned area and maintain humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent.

6. Restore the Area
Mold remediation concludes with the replacement of building materials. Building owners may want to select mold-resistant alternatives or have an antifungal coating applied to materials.
These steps are necessary to stop the spread of fungi and limit safety risks posed by toxigenic species such as black mold. Removing mold, cleaning the affected area, and maintaining low moisture levels can prevent a problem from recurring at a building in Maple Grove, MN.

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