Mold Remediation Basics

Simply put, mold is a type of fungus that thrives in areas with high moisture. While naturally mold remediation Los Angeles present around you in the world we live in, mold only becomes a problem if it is a certain type. Mold comes in a variety of colors including green, black, purple, white, pink, and others.

The vast majority of mold is harmless and usually can be found outdoors, such as on decaying leaves or grass clippings. Or on food in your refrigerator, like the green mold that shows up on old cheese.

However, there are some varieties that you really need to watch out for. This incredibly dangerous type of mold is what most building owners find after a burst pipe or roof leak, as it needs constant moisture to grow.

A byproduct of this type of black mold are mycotoxin spores, which are lightweight and travel easily through the air.

When inhaled by humans and pets, the mycotoxin spores can cause serious health conditions like severe headaches, coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, and even death by blood poisoning.

This is why it is absolutely vital to seek mold remediation services the moment you notice the issue.

While the presence of mold can be easy to spot in some cases, it can be difficult to determine whether you have Stachybotrys chartarum in your building making it very important to call a qualified mold remediation company as soon as possible.

What is Mold Remediation?
The mold remediation process is a restoration process that involves finding the cause of the problem, dealing with it, and making sure it never happens again.

That said, there are key elements to the remediation process to restore your commercial building back to where it was before the issue.

There are a lot of interchangeable terms used among restoration professionals, so it is important to know the difference between them.

Mold abatement is the process of removing mold from the structure and contents and encapsulating it. This may include tearing out parts of the building such as drywall and insulation, spraying a mold killer and following up with an encapsulant.

Mold remediation involves a more comprehensive process. The process includes mold removal and an abatement strategy.

Remediation also includes looking at the overall issue from a higher level to deal with the current growth and ensure it doesn’t come back.

According to New York City Department of Health’s Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments outlining standard of care when it comes to dealing with mold:

How to Prevent Mold

Fix the Cause of the Water Leak: Once you’ve done this, it will make it easier for a mold remediation expert to come in and start assessing the situation.
Turn Off Electricity: Water and electric don’t mix well, so make sure to cut off power at the main breaker to the affected area.
Document Damage and File a Commercial Insurance Claim: Take lots of pictures of the issue and areas that have mold growth. Talk to your insurance company promptly.

Contact a Water Damage Restoration and Removal Company: They’ll help you start to dry everything out and ensure mold growth doesn’t happen.
Ensure Your Building is Completely Dry: Before the build back, you need to make sure all moisture levels are back to normal to prevent future mold growth and damage.