What’s the Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?

Mold spores are pervasive fungi. The natural environment teems with over 100,000 variations of mold. When airborne spores maneuver their way into a building, though, the results are disastrous. Immediate mold remediation is necessary to keep mold from damaging the property and causing health concerns.

The Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation

The difference between mold removal and mold remediation is that mold removal is physically removing all mold spores while mold remediation focuses on returning mold levels to normal, natural levels.

The terms Mold remediation and mold removal are interchangeable. However, achieving the latter is impossible. Since airborne mold spores are microscopic and abound in both the outdoor and indoor environments, it is technically impossible to remove all mold in the atmosphere.

Mold remediation of a mold-infested property will return mold levels to an acceptable, natural level. Bear in mind there is no such thing as completely removing mold from the environment. The remediation process will just clean up the spores so mold levels are no longer harmful to the building or its inhabitants.

When a mold outbreak is extensive (equal to or greater than 10 square feet), consulting a professional mold remediation service is recommended. Property owners can otherwise typically clean up minor mold issues. Building owners should recognize when mold becomes an issue.

Signs of Mold

Homeowners may fail to realize they have a mold problem until someone in the home starts to cough, sneeze, or experience watery eyes, runny nose, and congestion. Sudden allergy symptoms like these usually point to a mold infestation in the building.

If the mold covers an area larger than 10 square feet, it’s best to hire a professional mold remediation company.

When symptoms disappear when not inside the property, it is a telltale sign that indoor mold is the culprit. Some molds are toxic to people and pets. Extremely dangerous molds can trigger life-threatening illness and provoke severe asthma attacks, or even neurological problems.

Lingering, musty smells inside the property can reveal the presence of certain molds; not all molds produce odors, however. Visual inspections can also pinpoint mold growth. Black, green or white clusters may be mold. Some molds that grow behind wallpaper may be orange or pink in color.

A property that has sustained long-term water damage is susceptible to mold growth. Mold spores can latch onto damp surfaces within 48 hours. Water leaks also lead to mold outbreaks. A stealthy eruption of mold can even occur along plumbing systems behind walls.

Common Types of Mold

A professional mold remediation expert will be able to accurately distinguish between toxic molds and allergenic, household molds. Aspergillus molds, for instance, can cause pulmonary infections in vulnerable individuals. Some types of Aspergillus molds produce mycotoxins and trigger allergic reactions.

Penicillium molds cause food spoilage. Some types of Penicillium molds produce mycotoxins. When a Penicillium mold outbreak is extensive, it may adversely affect the health of building occupants, causing allergic reactions and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A musty odor reveals the presence of this mold.

The removal or cleanup of copious Stachybotrys molds from indoor environments must be handled by experienced mold remediation technicians due to the toxic components these types of spores contain. Stachybotrys molds produce mycotoxins and satratoxins, which are extremely noxious when inhaled.

Mold grows wherever there is a food source, like moisture or cellulose.

Why Mold Grows in Your Home

As mentioned, mold spores are abundant in the atmosphere. Spores are necessary to help decompose natural materials, like leaves. The beneficial aspect of mold reverses and becomes harmful when spores latch onto materials inside a building. The mold eats away organic substances, causing structural damage.

In dry indoor environments, mold is plentiful and is usually not a problem. Mold poses as a serious issue only when materials inside a property remain damp for prolonged periods of time. Consistent moisture in combination with an organic food source nourish hungry mold spores.

Mold feeds on organic materials, like the wood in drywall, dust in the property, paper and even carpeting. It is common to find mold growing behind the walls, along ceilings and under carpeting—so long as these organic materials remain damp for a sustained period of time.

How to Prevent Mold from Spreading

Mold remediation will be ineffective if the water source that caused the mold outbreak is left unaddressed. Even if the spores are wiped away, the mold colonies will return when ample moisture is available. Repairing the moisture source is critical to stopping the mold growth.

A regrowth of mold leads to serious structural issues for a building. Mold is also indicative of a water problem. Rotting of structural components is a major safety hazard for building occupants. Additional leakage can occur. Failing to address mold will also attract unwanted pests.

How to Remove Mold

Property owners can usually tackle a small mold outbreak. Cleaning up the infestation requires either a vinegar or bleach solution, both of which are common household staples. Allow the vinegar to sit on the mold splotches for two to five minutes and wipe the spores away.

A large outbreak of mold requires a professional mold remediation service. Any company hired should possess industry experience, professional equipment and permits to execute the mold remediation task. Some companies will also fix the cause of the water damage that led to the initial mold growth.

Professional Mold Remediation

Whether you call it mold remediation or mold removal, eliminating mold from indoor areas is critical to preserving the health of inhabitants and the structural integrity of the building. When you need a rapid response to a mold outbreak, consult a reputable mold remediation professional.

Experienced remediation crews arrive onsite quickly to determine the extent of the mold growth. They also assess the moisture and humidity levels to see if water damage restoration is necessary. Containment of the area prevents spores from contaminating other rooms.

Professional mold remediation processes thoroughly remove the mold growth from the property. Materials that are heavily damaged by mold are appropriately disposed of. Anti-microbial agents are applied to deter future mold growth. Skilled technicians also repair any goods damaged by mold.

About Luke Armstrong

Expert in emergency fire and water restoration services, fire cleanup and water damage cleanup, mold removal, as well as carpet and upholstery cleaning services. Contributor to several restoration and cleaning blogs.