As a business owner, it’s essential that you maintain a clean, orderly property, both for the safety of your customers and your employees. Daily sanitation can go a long way in banishing dust and grime, but what about when it comes to more serious, intractable issues like mold? While a thorough scrubbing with disinfectants might resolve smaller fungal infestations, if you notice large patches of the organism – or if you suspect it may now be in the air vents – it’s time to contact professionals, who have years of experience in tackling this tricky issue.
First, let’s discuss exactly what mold is. What the average person calls mold could be one of many different species of fungus, which are detritivores that feed on dead and decaying organic materials. They’re plentiful in nature and are important members of the food chain, but when they invade a building, it spells trouble for your bottom line. Mold spores can be a serious danger to those with sensitive respiratory systems, such as young children, the elderly, asthmatics, and immunocompromised individuals. Worse yet, they can begin to eat away at the building’s structure itself, causing thousands of dollars of damage.
If you notice a large patch of mold, it’s time to call a Portland water damage restoration company, who can safely and effectively deal with the fungal colony. A qualified expert will follow these steps to get your business safe and fungi-free as soon as possible.
First,the team will assess the situation and develop a plan of action
Companies like PacWest Restoration are highly familiar with mold: the types that generally inhabit buildings, the kinds of damage they cause, and how they spread. As such, they’ll take a close look at the specific damp patches in order to determine how to safely remove and destroy the infestation; this includes identifying the root cause of the mold, whether that’s a leaky pipe or an improperly sealed basement, and deciding how to fix this as well.
Wearing protective equipment, remediators will seal off the area
As mentioned before, mold can be very hazardous to human health, as the microscopic spores can cause infections in the respiratory system; in some individuals, they can also lead to conjunctivitis, which can damage eyesight if not addressed. The crew will wear protective gear suitable for the type of mold they are dealing with, including respirators and safety goggles.
Because the mold spores are airborne, the affected area must be sealed off from the rest of the property so as to not cause a greater infestation. This can include using plastic sheeting to create a barrier, as well as running air scrubbers and fans with HEPA filters to catch the spores.
It’s imperative that the source of mold-causing moisture be addressed
If the mold remediation is to be successful, the technicians must find and fix whatever is leading to extra condensation in the area: mold doesn’t grow unless it can access a consistent stream of moisture. This means the team will examine the property to identify leaky pipes, poorly ventilated areas, or inadequate drainage, then resolve the problem before going any further. Not only will this help to dry up the existing mold, but it will ensure that more doesn’t grow during or after the remediation process.
Now it’s time to destroy the mold
Removing mold depends on the materials that it has adhered to, as well as the type of mold itself. Non-porous materials, such as glass, metal, china, and hard plastics can be cleaned using cleaning solutions specially formulated to destroy mold. Porous materials must be addressed on a case-by-case basis, as some can be sanitized while others cannot. Drywall and carpet usually need to be removed and replaced, but it is sometimes possible to rehabilitate brick, depending on the severity of the mold growth and whether the material has been structurally compromised.
The remediation process isn’t successful if there are still more mold spores that can circulate and breed, so your water damage restoration company will also inspect all the ductwork for signs of mold growth at this time. This includes disassembling and cleaning all HVAC mechanisms, from coils and evaporators to the ducts themselves.
After disposing of the damaged materials, the experts will carefully disinfect everything
To ensure that the mold doesn’t spread again, all the affected materials must be sealed in plastic bags or other non-permeable materials, then disposed of in accordance with local regulations or laws. Your Portland water damage professionals are familiar with how to safely remove these infested items, reducing the risk to yourself and your employees.
Next, the technicians will clean and disinfect everything a second time, which will clear up any last mold spores and colonies. Fungi tend to reproduce very quickly, so they must ensure that none have bred during the rest of the remediation process.
As a final assurance that all is now well, the company will test for any last fungal material; they may do this in house, or they might contract with an independent mold specialist who will give them the all-clear. If they do find that there is still some mold left, it’s time to start the cleaning and disinfecting process over again until they can definitely confirm that they have destroyed everything.
The team will advise you on how to prevent issues in the future, too
While the remediation company has worked to repair any problems that caused the mold, there’s still some work on your part to maintain that fungal-free state. They’ll explain what you need to do in the future to protect yourself and anyone that enters your business, which can include installing HEPA filters, improving air circulation, or regularly sanitizing certain areas that are prone to mold.
Because mold can be so dangerous, it’s vital that you rely upon the trusted expertise of water damage restoration companies, who have the proper training and knowledge to safely remove all mold from the premises. Whenever you notice a musky odor or see a damp patch on the wall, get in touch with a reputable restoration team who can keep your property sparkling and safe.
