Mold remediation

A severe pipe burst, storm or flood damage, and even minor water leakage problems can cause the growth of mold. Mold infestations are hazardous to the health of human beings and cause you and your loved ones to develop serious illnesses. If you are seeking professional mold removal and remediation services, Green Restoration is here to save you! 

What is Mold, how does it grow, and why should you get rid of it? 

Mold is a common fungus whose growth is facilitated by moisture and warmth. When tiny mold spores travel in the air and are provided the right conditions, i.e., moisture for an extended period, they multiply to produce mold in humid spaces such as the basement, bathroom, etc. However, even cold temperatures help with the growth of mold, which is why you can spot it in your refrigerator at times. This can later become a big problem for you.

The Centre For Disease Control (CDC) has declared that having mold in your surroundings is a health hazard as it can lead to respiratory and allergic symptoms. Mold causes structural property damage as well. Hence, you should look into Green Restoration’s mold removal and remediation services to remove the mold from your property and make it safe and hygienic once again. 

Expert Mold Removal and Remediation Services By Green Restoration 

A mold infestation is not something to be taken lightly, nor is it a do-it-yourself job. As soon as you detect mold on your property, you should contact Green Restoration to help you out. 

At Green Restoration, we do a thorough job of leaving no loose ends behind. Our process starts with the inspection and assessment of the mold on your property. The place is tested, and the results then direct our mold removal plan. The affected areas are cleaned, and damaged items are sorted. Once that is done, disinfection takes place to ready your comfort space for you! 

Our goal is to use modern and advanced technology available to increase the effectiveness to the maximum. This is why we have: 

• Dry ice blasting machines
• Thermo heat technology
• Chlorine dioxide gas, an eco-friendly solution 
• Hybrid and electrical vehicles 

We not only aim to provide you perfect services but also stick to our morale of not harming humans, animals, or the earth with our work. This is why we have invested in biodegradable, green material with no harmful chemicals such as Chlorine dioxide gas, as well as environmentally-friendly tools and equipment. These won’t harm you, your loved ones, or your surroundings.

Why Choose Us? 

We understand the stress of being present in an endangered environment, which is why we waste no time responding to you. We also make sure to keep in touch with your insurance company and help you secure the amount for the restoration process. Our professionals are experts in their field and are trained to be patient, responsive, and professional in dealing with customers. We have an open communication policy because gaining your trust is our number one priority. 

So, if you’re looking for mold removal and remediation, call Green Restoration right now to get a free quote!  

FAQs 

What is black mold? 

Mold is considered a dangerous health hazard because of its ability to spread quickly once provided the right conditions to grow. Black mold refers to several species of mold characterized by their black or dark green color. It is a common misconception that only black mold is dangerous. The truth is, all species of molds, regardless of their color, are dangerous for you, your family, and your pets and should be dealt with quickly by seeking professional help. 

Mold Damage Tips

Considering the fact that there are over 300,000 species of mold, the chances of one growing at your property are pretty high. Mold can quickly appear with proper conditions like warmth, moisture, and good food sources such as wood, cardboard, or paper. 

The error people tend to make is using store-bought products to remove the mold. These do not eradicate the problem as advertised but cause the mold to grow elsewhere instead. The important thing to know is that mold can go from a minor issue to a major one in 48 hours. This is especially true if you’re dealing with water damage such as leakage. Mold causes health problems as well as structural damage to your property, which is why you should quickly contact a professional to remove it. 

Do not try to remove the mold yourself, and if you can sense a strong odor behind drywalls, it may be a sign of mold. In such a case, do not spend time in the affected rooms, restrict air movement by keeping fans and HVAC off, keep the windows and doors closed so that microscopic mold cannot travel, and quickly contact a professional. 

You should not disturb or touch the mold, blow air across surfaces with mold growth, use bleach or other disinfectants to clean it, or attempt to dry the affected area without professional help. 

Mold Restoration Process

The basic steps to remove mold are: 

• Containment and Ventilation:

To stop the spread of mold by controlling the level of mold spores, Green Restoration seals affected areas and utilizes special Air Filtration Devices (AFDs) like HEPA scrubbers to put a stop to the migration of mold spores. 

• Cleaning and Disinfection: 

Mold is cleaned, and unsalvageable items are disposed of. After cleaning, disinfection is done using strong but safe fungicide/biocide/moldicide solutions.

• Getting Rid of the source of Mold:

Humidity and moisture are assessed, and if extensive services are required, it is discussed further with the homeowner. 

• Mold Encapsulation:

The chances of the mold returning are minimized through encapsulation. 

Mold Removal VS Remediation 

Mold remediation is much more complicated than mold removal. The mold removal process is done first before tackling the indoor mold levels. Some steps in the mold remediation process are the same and include:

• Homeowners contact a professional company.  
• Mold damage assessment and inspection are done. 
• Mold is contained in a restricted area using air filtration systems. 
• Mold and mold-infested materials are removed from affected areas. 
• The remaining items are assessed and cleaned if required. 
• The restoration process is carried out to bring the property back to its original condition. 

Mold Treatment Process 

The presence of mold is not dangerous but should be dealt with quickly before it can cause serious health hazards or property damage. Indicators of mold are visible mold spores, frequent flu-like symptoms, damp or musty smell, frequent headaches, and frequent flooding on your property. You should contact a professional before it gets serious!

Mold Remediation Process 

A standard mold remediation process consists of the following steps: 

• Fixing the humidity or water problem: A complete repair plan, as well as maintenance, should be carried out whenever convenient. The result of this work will finally decide the mold remediation plan if extra damage is found. 
• Communication: All occupants of the property are kept well-informed, and their queries are answered. 
• Mold testing: Mold or spore samples are taken to get tested so that they can be identified. This step is necessary to decide the cleaning method. Different cleaning methods are wet vacuum, damp wipe, HEPA vacuum, and discarding. 
• Cleanup of mold and drying of water-damaged areas: Once the water or humidity problem is resolved to stop any future mold growth, technicians select the appropriate drying and cleaning methods for contaminated and damaged material. PPE is used along with 100% human-safe cleaning solutions to kill mold. 

Is Mold Dangerous? 

The reason behind seeking professional help in mold removal is because mold is dangerous. Mold can cause: 

• Breathing problems or severe incidents such as chronic lung conditions or asthma due to the production of mycotoxins, irritants, and allergens, many of which are toxic. 
• Allergies 
• Aspergillosis due to some mold types, the most common one being aspergillus. 
• Production of bacteria and microbes leading to fungal infection and bronchial infection risks. Mold can lead to bronchitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and allergic alveolitis.

Can bleach be used to kill mold?

Bleach only works in cleaning non-porous surfaces such as sinks and tiles. Drywall or wood, where mold is commonly found, are porous surfaces and cannot be cleaned by bleach. Mold is a problem with deep roots, and just cleaning the surface will not remove it. Moreover, extensive exposure to bleach can irritate your skin, eyes, lungs, and mouth. It is even worse for people with respiratory issues. Bleach is reactive and can combine with different substances to present serious problems. 

What Does Mold Smell Like? 

The best words to describe the smell of mold are earthy and rusty. The smell has also been compared with sweaty socks. The smell you sense when opening a container of moldy vegetables is what will help you identify the presence of mold. However, sometimes there is no smell. Since different people have different sensitivities in their sense of smell, if someone mentions that they smell mold, it is always safe to get your home checked even if you can’t smell it. 

What is the Difference Between Mildew and Mold? 

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi found inside homes. They spread easily and thrive when given a moist environment. If not removed quickly, both can cause extreme damage to your property and health. 

The differences between the two are:

• While mildew can be described as a type of mold, mold is a fungus that grows in green or black patches and can be identified by its multiple identical nuclei. 
• Patches of mold penetrate affected materials, while mildew has a flat growth and remains on the surface of the affected area. This is why mildew is easier to remove than mold. 
• Mold grows inside permanent home structures like crawl spaces and walls, while mildew is found on damp surfaces, fabric paper, and organic materials. 
• Common types of mildew are powdery mildew and downy mildew. On the other hand, mold has over 300,000 species, out of which over 100,000 are found indoors. The common ones are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys chartarum.

What is Mold Testing? 

Mold testing is a process used to identify the type of mold present on your property by taking its sample. It also confirms the presence of mold. There are two types of mold testing: 

• Air sample mold testing is done using a spore trap sample. An air sample is taken to check for mold spores.
• Surface sample mold testing is done using tape, swab, or bulk samples. 

How to Prevent your house from mold?

Preventing mold is easier than removing it. Some preventions tips include: 

• Look around your home and identify the problem areas, i.e., where moisture is present. Install products with high mold resistance or repair the damages that let water enter. 
• Make sure to dry wet areas within 24 hours. 
• Make sure to use proper ventilation for moisture-producing appliances facing outside. 
• Keep the indoor humidity between 30% and 60%. 

Mold Damage Tips

Mold has a lot of types, spreads very fast, and is difficult to remove by yourself. Do not rely on store-bought products to remove them but contact a professional company instead to do it. 

Mold Damage Process 

The steps to dealing with mold damage are: 

• Eliminate the source of moisture facilitating mold growth. 
• Eliminate visible mold.
• Dry all affected areas using fans and humidifiers.

However simple the steps may be, it is crucial that you hire a professional to do it for you so that you and your loved ones are out of harm’s way. 

Mold Symptoms

The common symptoms of mold infestations are:

• Visible mold spores. 
• Constantly experiencing flu-like symptoms.
• A damp or musty smell. 
• Frequent flooding. 
• Frequent headaches.

Can I remove mold myself? 

It is impossible for you to remove mold yourself. Despite the endless articles on the internet recommending methods to remove mold, it is not a possibility. Kits marketed to remove mold or identify the species of mold present at your property are a hoax. You should always contact a professional company to remove mold. They not only do a thorough cleaning but also identify problem areas and fix them so that there’s minimal chance of mold reappearing. All these tasks are not a do-it-yourself job. 

How much does mold removal cost? 

If the mold growth area is less than ten square feet and the affected surfaces are non-porous, the removal cost will be less than $500, which is quite affordable. However, you need to make sure you contact a professional before the problem becomes extreme, or else the average cost for mold remediation is around $2220, and your budget should be between $1000 to $3300.

Factors influencing the cost of mold removal are listed below. All of these indicate that mold removal costs can go as high as $20,000. 

• The larger the size of the affected area, the higher the cost of mold removal. 
• The types of surfaces also matter as sinks, tubs, etc., are easier to clean mold off of, but walls and carpets are not. 
• Porous materials such as wood, drywall, carpet, flooring, and plaster require more manpower. Mold might deeply penetrate into these items as well. A lot of the time, materials can be cleaned and have to be disposed of. The more resources utilized, the higher the costs for mold removal. 
• The type of mold remediation procedure used: the more complicated and technical the procedure is, the higher the cost will become. 

How much does an air quality test cost?

On average, air quality tests cost between $200 and $400 depending upon the amount of work. Customers prepare themselves to spend up to $500 depending upon the size of their house or business. The lowest cost can be $190, while the highest cost can be $900.

Air can have allergens or other substances causing flu symptoms, headaches, or other health issues. Indoor air quality is very important because every human needs clean air to breathe to stay healthy, which is why indoor air cleaning is important. 

Will homeowner’s insurance cover mold removal costs?

Mold remediation can be covered by your insurance providers. At other times, they may only cover the water damage since all policies do not cover mold procedures related to mold removal. It is important for you to communicate with your insurer and figure out what portion of the costs can be covered. 

What does Mold Remediation include? 

Mold remediation services differ according to the type of procedure followed. Services always included in the process are HEPA air filtration, HEPA vacuuming, demolition, replacement and removal of damaged materials, air containment procedures, treatment of crawlspace and attic, antimicrobial treatments, disinfecting and cleaning of remaining building material, and encapsulating after remediation.

When is an antimicrobial treatment needed? 

An antimicrobial treatment is useful when building materials are not easily removable. Areas such as crawlspace subflooring and attic sheathing are difficult to replace, and the mold growth is limited to the surface. For such spaces, antimicrobial treatment is an eco-friendly method of cleaning them. 

Are antimicrobial chemicals used toxic?

Antimicrobial chemicals utilized in our antimicrobial treatment are non-toxic and eco-friendly. They are commonly used in hospitals and the construction industry. Moreover, because of the use of safe chemicals, we only recommend relocation for the occupants of a property when the mold growth consists of spores having reached all areas of the house. 

Do I need to leave my house during mold removal? 

Mold remediation usually does not require you to move out of your home. We make sure to restrict all affected areas using plastic sheeting to isolate them. However, if a critical area is affected, such as the kitchen or the bathroom, then you might want to consider temporarily relocating for your convenience. A remediation project takes 5-10 days to be completed, and the working area is not accessible during this time. 

Is the mold inside my home toxic? 

The toxicity of the mold can only be concluded once mold sample testing has been conducted. Once we know the species of mold infesting your home, we can compare it to the list of molds that produce dangerous mycotoxins. 

Why can’t the mold remediation project start directly? 

The mold remediation project can start directly, but that is not recommended. An in-depth mold inspection is needed before starting. In this step, moisture measurements of the ceilings, walls, and floors are done. Materials having high moisture content are narrowed down as they are likely to have mold growth. All the areas with mold infestation are discovered after this assessment, only after which the mold remediation process should start. 

Why is mold testing needed again after remediation? 

Mold testing is done again after remediation to verify the effectiveness of the services done. It proves that your property is now free from mold infestation. This is done before rebuilding the area.