Serving the Greater McHenry & Chicago Area

THE BASICS OF MOLD REMEDIATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

When a home suffers from mold, the owners usually have two main options to deal with it. They can either complete a mold remediation or removal. Typically, remediation is the more effective solution because it prevents mold from returning. However, there are many homeowners who don’t quite know what to expect from this process. 


Fortunately, you don’t have to be a mold expert to understand how your home can benefit from these services. Excel Fire And Water Damage Restoration Services have years of experience with mold remediation, so they can provide more information. Check out this article to learn more about mold problems and how to eliminate them.


How Mold Develops in Homes

Before a person can truly understand what makes remediation so successful, they must learn the basics of how mold develops in a house. Many people are familiar with mold, but they don’t always know the reason it develops. As a result, they may end up neglecting the very source.


In most cases, mold grows in damp areas where they may be leaks or just high humidity. Any moisture in a home can lead to mold growth. Homes that are in wetter climates, such as coastal areas, may be more prone to mold growth, but that doesn’t mean that Illinois homeowners are in the clear. There are still many areas where mold can grow if water is present inside the house. 


Problem Area Homeowners Struggle With

Some of the biggest problem areas in the house are obvious. In fact, many homeowners regularly deal with mold growth in their bathrooms when they scrub their shower grout with bleach-based cleaning solutions. However, that’s not the only room owners need to watch. 


Since mold can grow anywhere that there is water, it can also grow in areas where humidity has condensed. For example, many new homes may suffer from mold in the attic because the tight insulation keeps more water inside. Mold could also form in:



  • Crawl Spaces
  • Interiors of Walls
  • Basements
  • Furnaces
  • Ducts
  • Kitchens
  • Window Unit AC


The Mold Remediation Process

If a home has substantial mold growth, it is best to leave the mold remediation process to a team of highly trained professionals. The right team of experts will know how to carefully eliminate all types of mold varieties. They can use the proper tools and cleaning products to ensure that the job is completed efficiently. Best of all, mold remediation experts can reduce the risk of future mold problems.


Containment & Ventilation

The very first step in the mold remediation process is also one of the most important. The experts should work strategically to both contain the mold and ventilate the affected area. They can achieve this by using air filtration devices, more commonly known as air scrubbers. This tool can remove mold spores from the air and prevent them from spreading to other areas of the home.


Cleaning & Disinfection

Once the workspace has been properly prepped, the mold remediation specialists can move on to the cleaning phase. This is the part where the mediation will actually begin. They will carefully dispose of any infected materials, such as drywall, insulation, or carpeting. 


They will also work to clean any surfaces that don’t require removal. Their biocides, moldicides, and fungicides use the right chemicals to completely clean and disinfect various materials. 


Addressing the Source of Mold

Once all of the mold has been removed, the experts work to make sure it doesn’t return. They do this by locating the source of the mold and fixing it. In some cases, the contractors may need to reduce humidity by installing a bathroom fan duct. In other cases, they may have to repair a leak in the plumbing. Regardless, this is another important step to make sure the remediation is successful. 


Encapsulating Stubborn Mold

There are some instances where the contractors may not be able to completely remove the mold. In these cases, they may suggest encapsulation. However, this method should only be used when most of the mold is removed, and the affected area is dry. The contractors can then use paint or another similar material to encapsulate the remaining mold so that it doesn’t spread.


Contact a Professional Mold Remediation Company to Learn More 

Homeowners who are interested in learning more about the mold remediation process should reach out to the experts of Excel Fire And Water Damage Restoration Services. Their professionals are available by phone for 24/7 emergency services, or homeowners can submit the online form to request a free quote for their mold remediation.