Here at Bye Bye Mold, our services are restricted to mold assessment and mold testing, but we understand that sometimes mold removal is required. We are frequently asked about removal, and here are some of the most common concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to vacate my home during the mold cleanup?

Generally, mold remediation does not compel you to temporarily move out of your home. This is because the work area is enclosed in plastic sheeting (forming an air containment), and isolated from the remainder of the house.  Exceptions include the remediation of a critical room, such as the kitchen or the sole bathroom of the dwelling. For example, if your house or apartment has only one bathroom (and that room requires remediation) it may be necessary for you to arrange for temporary quarters elsewhere. Individual room mold abatement can typically take four to ten days to complete (your contractor’s schedule may vary from this), and will not be accessible by you during that time. Other work condition considerations are covered in the next question.

What conditions can I expect to encounter during the mold removal?

While working in the containment, remediation workers will wear Tyvek™ suits (made of white tear-resistant paper that provides a dry particulate barrier) and air filtering respirators. Moldy and water damaged materials will need to be removed from the premises. All affected wood studs will be “scrubbed” (sanded) to remove discoloration, vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner (HEPA filter equipped), and then sprayed with a fungicide.  Air-moving blowers called “negative air machines” take in air from the containment and are exhausted to the outside.  These blowers can also be used as air “scrubbers” to filter out mold spores while recirculating air.  Dehumidifiers may also be used to remove moisture from the structure.  These machines make a loud noise, and some must run constantly for the duration of the remediation and post-remediation testing periods.

Why must I test for mold again after the remediation?

It is very important to verify the effectiveness of the cleanup.  Work can be evaluated using what is called post-remediation sampling, or clearance sampling.  The clearance inspection and sampling are performed after the remediation is complete, but before the rebuilding (restoration) of the affected area.  If the clearance testing fails, more cleaning and remediation will be required, and another round of clearance testing will be needed.   Each of these add to the cost of the remediation, so it is important to have written legal documentation that clearly states who will be responsible for paying for all additional remediation and all necessary post-remediation sampling.  When the post-remediation sampling test results are satisfactory, the Post-Remediation Sampling Report provides professional third party documentation that the mold was effectively and completely removed.

Mold Abatement Protocol Example

A detailed example of mold remediation (or mold abatement) procedures can be found here.

Additional Information<

Bona fide mold remediation contractors would base their decontamination and disposal recommendations on the following:

  • the genus of mold discovered
  • the extent of the contamination
  • heating, ventilation and air conditioning contamination
  • the sensitivity of occupants (some suffer from severe allergies or asthma)

In an effort to prevent mold regrowth in remediated areas, some contractors utilize an anti-fungal paint, which encapsulates the effected building materials (see images).

Additional information on this subject, to list just a couple of examples, can be found at the following Web pages:

 

Preventive Maintenance

Already have your “mold-neutral” documentation? Congratulations! Please consider Bye Bye Mold ™ for our “Keep That Mold Controlled” maintenance programs, designed for mold prevention. These help assure that, with regular checkups, you will be able to manage potential problems before they escalate, thus sustaining environmental wellness throughout your building’s long life.

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