How Long Does Mold Remediation Take
Ahhh mold....not something a homeowner wants to think about, but unfortunately, sometimes shows up in a home. There are things we can do to try to keep mold away from a home or business, but sometimes it doesn't matter. If there is a large area of mold, then mold remediation is needed. How long does mold remediation take? Mold remediation takes 48 hours to a few weeks depending on the amount of mold and where it is growing.
Let's take a look at the mold remediation process.
How Long For Mold Growth
Mold growth can take 24-48 hours to grow in conducive conditions such as moisture. It rarely can grow below 40 F or above 100 F. The mold may stay dormant or inactive until there are conditions in which the mold can flourish. However, when temperatures are above 100 F, it will kill the mold and the spores. The surfaces below are where you may find the mold and contaminated material.
- Wood
- Ceiling tiles
- Wallpaper
- Paints
- Carpet
- Sheet rock
- Insulation
The worst mold is Stachybotrys chartarum, which is known as "black mold" and it is toxic. It can cause irritation of the eyes, sneezing, coughing, nose, throat, headaches, nausea, rashes, and pain in the joints.
However, it is when it is a dangerous amount that it can lead to serious health issues. Mold loves dark, humid, and moist places in the home. This is why mold is often found in basements and bathrooms. Mold also can grow in the walls due to a water leak or water damage. This is hard to see, thus contacting a certified mold inspector is important. Take a look at the video below about the mold remediation process.
Mold Remediation
As mentioned above, mold can be common in homes due to a few factors and a small area can be cleaned. However, if you find a larger area of mold growth, call a professional mold inspector right away as you may need mold remediation. The professional can see where the visible mold growth is and then work on figuring out where the rest of the growth may be.
This allows the professional to make a plan for mold removal. A company that uses thermal imaging is a great idea to do a thorough evaluation for you. The more in-depth part of the cleaning process is making sure no mold spores linger in the home and in the air.
Also, the use of specialized equipment is important, such as personal protective equipment (PPE.) This involves building a containment and to use negative pressure. Following the IICRC S-520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation is a must. This is the only way to correctly remove the mold as it can still linger in the home.
Length of the Process
There are a few things that determine how long the mold remediation will take.
- What kind of mold - black mold takes longer to completely remove as there are safety measures that must be in place.
- Mold damage - mold can damage wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, floorboards, drywall, and wooden studs. In fact, it can ruin the structure of the home. This means possibly ceilings collapsing, floors caving in, and crumbling of walls. This reason alone is important to kill mold in the home.
- Length of removal - depending on the type of mold and the amount, it can take forty-eight hours to several weeks.
- After removal - after the removal is done, a mold re-inspection is conducted to make sure the mold is gone.
Recommended Maintenance
Now that you understand more about mold, it is important to know how to stop mold growth in your home. This is the right time to understand so you know what to keep an eye on in the home and keep mold away as much as you can.
Due to the humidity, sprinkler systems, plumbing, and water damage issues, unfortunately, mold is common in Florida homes. You can make sure you reduce the humidity levels in your home to 50% or lower, as well as keep an eye on moisture and leaks in the home.
Lastly, you can buy a home with mold, but make sure you have it inspected first. If it comes back that it is 5x2 or smaller or less than 10 square feet, it can be easily cleaned. However, you always have a right to not buy a home with mold if you think it will cause harm to the health of loved ones.
When to Contact a Professional
Hiring a professional that is certified in mold inspections or mold remediation is important. Mold can be hazardous to your health so you want to know what type it is and how to get rid of it.
A home inspection company that also does mold inspections is a great choice and they can help make sure you have good air quality. Don't take mold into your own hands if it is a large area. You want to make sure the mold issue is contained so throw out articles or goods that are mold-infested.
Conclusion
When mold is in an area that is bigger than 5 x 2, mold remediation will be necessary. Sometimes you can keep mold at bay by making sure the humidity is low and you keep an eye out for water leaks in the home. However, sometimes it is in places that we can't see with the visible eye so contacting a local home inspection company is the best thing to do. Call on Gray Home Inspections for a mold inspection and complete home inspection in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas.