Mould Remediation
Identifying Mould
Mould growth can be hidden. Mould can grow behind walls or above ceiling tiles, so it is important to check for the presence of mould anywhere that is damp and especially where water damage has occurred. Start with a visual inspection of your home.
Look for signs of mould or excessive moisture, such as stains or discoloration on floors, walls, window panes, ceiling tiles, fabrics and carpets. Look for obvious signs of leaks, condensation, flooding, or a musty odour.
Immediate action is important. Mould will begin to grow within 48 hours. If there is visible mould, it needs to be removed.
Health Concerns
Health Canada considers indoor mould growth to be a significant health hazard. The word mould is a common term referring to fungi that can grow on building materials in homes or other buildings. Damp conditions and mould growth in homes increases the risk of respiratory allergy symptoms and exacerbate asthma in mold-sensitive individuals. It is important to know how to identify, address and prevent moisture and mould in your home.
People living in homes with mould and damp conditions are more likely to have:
- eye, nose and throat irritation
- coughing and phlegm build-up
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- worsening of asthma symptoms
The level of concern depends on the extent of mould, how long it has been present and the sensitivity and overall health of the residents. Some people are more susceptible than others. For example, infants, children, the elderly and those with health problems such as breathing difficulties are more at risk from mould and dampness.
Universal Duct Cleaning and Insulation are well equipped to dealing with mould remediation.
How to proceed with Mould Remediation?
- 1) Antimicrobial Application, this is a first step of corrective action. If your home or business has had recent water damage, but there is no visible mold growth, we can apply an antimicrobial agent that will prevent mold growth from occurring until the wet area is dried out. Antimicrobials can also kill existing mold spores if they are present.
- 2) Source Identification Mould is often found in places that have been previously exposed to water or are near a moisture source. Some areas of concern are bathrooms, basements, sink cabinets and window sills due to condensation.Our technicians can identify elevated moisture concentrations in residential and commercial structures through the use of state of the art, industry specific moisture detection equipment and inspection tools such as thermal imaging. Often this can help determine the source of the moisture intrusion.
- 3) Containment Mould can spread quickly if given the right conditions. Once the source of moisture intrusion has been repaired, our technicians isolate the contaminated area(s) to eliminate the spread of mold spores to other areas of the property. Containment is critical in minimizing the potential effects of cross contamination to other unaffected areas.
- 4) Air Filtration during the process of mold removal, spores can be disturbed and become airborne. In conjunction with containment, the air needs to be cleaned as well. Negative air machines with high efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters run continuously throughout the project. This ensures that mold spores, dust, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), and other airborne debris are removed from the affected area.
- 5) Removal and Clean up in most instances, the only effective way to ensure proper mold remediation is to remove affected materials completely. This commonly involves drywall, insulation, wood trim, carpet and even furniture.We follow S520 industry standards written by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to professionally clean up mold from your home or business. If the area contaminated with mold is greater than 10 sq. ft, the use of a licensed environmental hygienist is required. The hygienist will provide a final clearance test, giving our customer peace of mind that the mold has been properly mitigated.
- 6) Replacement as previously indicated, it could be possible that areas contaminated by mold require the removal of affected materials. In situations like this, we can provide restoration services and repair affected areas with new building materials. At the conclusion, the property will be restored to a pre-loss condition.
