Every homeowner should keep their space mold-free. Mold compromises the structural integrity of your house and poses a significant health hazard for your loved ones.
There are several reasons for mold growth, including:
- Flooding
- Inadequate Ventilation
- Leaking Pipes
- Leaking Roofs
- Constant Humidity
While preventing mold growth is not always possible, it is wise to act as soon as you spot the warning signs. It includes:
- Unusual Odor
- Visible Growth
- Health Issues
- Humidity Issues
- Deterioration of Household Materials
Here is where mold remediation in New Jersey comes into play.
What is mold remediation?
Mold remediation is a proven and effective process of eliminating mold growth from a house. It involves mold testing, containment, and removal strategies. Depending on the mold type, such as Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Stachybotrys chartarum, it may require sanitization or demolition.
This process is designed to eradicate the mold completely, ensuring a safe and healthy living environment for you and your family. However, before you proceed, you must prepare your house to make the process easier and safer.
So, let’s discuss how to prepare your house for the mold remediation process.
Steps to Follow for Mold Remediation
Pre-Remediation Preparation
- Identify the Mold: Before professionals come to assess the situation, try to determine the severity of the mold problem. The areas that have been affected by mold should be identified so that you can have a better understanding when talking to the remediation team. But do this without moving things to prevent mold from spreading its spores all over the affected area.
- Clear the Area: Remove furniture, appliances, and personal belongings in the affected area. Mold removal requires the use of chemicals and involves some disruptive processes. Therefore, removing anything that could be damaged or obstruct the remediation process is important.
- Protect Your Belongings: For fixed items, like cabinets, you should cover them with a sheet of plastic to prevent the accumulation of dust and mold. Use tape to cover the sheeting to ensure no particles can get through.
- Provide Access: Ensure the remediation team can access the affected areas easily. This could involve opening a passage to a normally closed house area or even temporarily removing a door.
- Address Moisture Sources: The remediation team will do this step, but knowing about it can help you prepare mentally. The area where mold is being removed will be sealed using plastic sheeting to prevent the mold spores from spreading to other parts of your home.
- Seal Off the Work Area: Although the remediation team will do this, it is useful to know about this step as it can help you prepare mentally. The area being treated for mold will be covered with plastic sheeting to prevent the mold spores from moving to other parts of the house.
- Relocate for Safety: If the mold infestation is severe or toxic chemicals were used in the remediation process, it may be safe to shift your family temporarily. This is especially important if anyone in your household has allergies or other breathing problems.
During the Remediation
Once you have prepared your home, the remediation process can begin. Although you won’t be involved in the actual removal of mold, understanding what happens can help you oversee the process:
- Daily Briefings: Get updates from the remediation team on the progress.
- Safety Practices: Ensure the team uses appropriate safety gear and follows strict procedures to avoid contamination.
Post-Remediation
When the professionals are done with their job, there are still a few things that homeowners have to do:
- Inspection and Testing: After cleaning the mold, you should conduct an inspection test to confirm that all the spores have been eradicated from your home. You can hire a different inspector or do it yourself.
- Restoration: Begin the process of restoring or replacing materials that were damaged or removed during remediation.
The Bottom Line
Preparing your home for mold remediation is important to make the process as effective and safe as possible. Thus, you can protect your property and health from mold harm if you take the following steps before, during, and after the remediation process. By following these measures, you can eliminate mold and get your home back to a safe place for your family.
However, make sure you hire a reputable remediation specialist for mold removal in NJ. Ask about their experience, credentials, and reviews from past clients to learn about their services.