Mold Abatement Specifications

Mold will grow on almost anything, as long as there is enough moisture and nutrients for it to feed. What matters most to your health is the amount of mold you inhale when you're exposed, as some molds can release harmful chemicals and spores. If you encounter a moldy area larger than 3 square feet, it's best to call a professional to assess the best coarse of action. Depending on the type of mold, abatement specifications vary.

Assessment

• All mold abatement begins with both a visual and scientific assessment to determine the extent of the mold, the type and the best course of action to take to get rid of it for good. Professionals use fiber optic cables to examine hard-to-see places like in between walls and in cracks. Assessing the extent of the mold infestation is absolute because if all of it is not contained and cleaned, it will continue to grow.

  Measuring temperature, humidity and moister is another crucial step that will help determine how much food the mold has access to, which could provide a helpful insight to how the mold is growing. If any medical attention is required as a result of mold contamination, acquiring and testing a sample under the guise of the American Industrial Hygiene Association Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing program will be required. To reiterate, if you encounter mold in your own home, don't attempt to clean yourself if it has contaminated a space larger than 3 square feet, especially if the mold is growing in and around a hole or a crack in your wall.

Preparation

• Once an assessment of the mold infestation is completed, the next step requires preparation and strategy. Regardless of the seriousness of the mold, it's important to wear the proper protective equipment, such as a filtered face mask, goggles, coveralls and protective gloves.

  Once equipment is gathered and prepared, the next step is to come up with an effective elimination strategy. Often this requires creating a containment area that ostracizes the mold from the rest of the building. Air filters and dehumidifiers are placed into the containment area to clean the air of airborne spores and to cut the mold off from its food source. Removing any settled mold spores with HEPA vacuums and damp cloths will contain the mold further and will ensure regrowth and spreading does not recur.

Implementation

• Once everything is prepared, killing and removing the mold is the next requirement. For the best results higher a professional; however, if you are cleaning a small contaminated area yourself, scrub the mold with an unscented detergent solution (using unscented detergent will allow you to smell any remaining mold), then sponge the residue with a clean rag and dry the surface area immediately.

  It's important to remember not to recycle or reuse your scrub pad or any other equipment you use to clean the mold. To ensure mold doesn't spread, after professionals have cleaned a contaminated area, they contain all removed material in thick, 6 millimeter polyethylene bags and dispose of them at a landfill for composting. Proper disposal and containment of removed materials is essential for success.