What Is the Process of Mold Abatement?

The purpose of mold abatement is to remove an existing colony of fungi that may be causing or threatening to cause damage to a building. If the spores are disturbed during this process (or any part of the remediation project), they can become airborne, possibly contaminating other rooms; occupants, and even spread throughout a building, causing future health issues for others.

The first step of the mold abatement process usually involves a building-wide assessment. In this assessment, any conducive conditions for mold growth are identified and the areas where mold is present. Air samples are taken from each room to help determine if those areas need remediation. If more than one type of mold is found in a single room, then it should be assumed that all kinds of molds will need to be removed and treated during the project.

After the assessment, you may want to use a moisture meter to monitor the indoor humidity levels in your home or office because high humidity can contribute to an outbreak of visible mold or hidden “black mold” at any time. Remember: moisture meter measures only surface moisture. If you see mold, you can be sure there is hidden moisture somewhere.

Various methods may be used to rid a building of mold growth. Generally, the more severe or widespread a problem that exists, the more services involved. Most commonly, this means a combination of both mechanical and manual abatement techniques during a single project will need to be employed. Depending on conditions, molds may have been growing for long periods, so some form of containment or personal protective equipment (PPE) may also need to be used for workers’ safety and prevent further contamination of an affected area.

The first step is usually some surface decontamination involving the use of antimicrobial chemicals such as chlorine bleach that will help to reduce the colonies of mold on visible surfaces. This may also include mechanical scrubbing with a brush or pressure washer in some cases.

The next step is usually air duct cleaning, which involves removing all contaminated materials within them if needed – which generally means removing building insulation, sheetrock, and other similar materials. Toxic materials are released after being decontaminated. The air ducts are then cleaned using HEPA vacuum equipment followed by extensive disinfection via chemical fogging or ultraviolet light exposure, depending on the severity of the problem. Air testing following this process will need to be conducted to ensure no more bacteria or spores remain before re-occupying space.