Remediating Mold Damage from Homes in the Chicago Area

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

Mold can appear in plain sight, or you can smell the musty presence of mold behind cabinets and walls. In either case, contact SERVPRO to investigate

SERVPRO Provides Expert Mold Advice and Remediation for Local Residents

Mold is a microorganism. It exists in almost all environments but often in the benign form of a mold spore. Only when these spores grow and reproduce can they become a problem for homeowners. Like most living things, spores require specific growing conditions, including a food supply, adequate temperature, and water. While spores are impossible to remove from an environment entirely, remediation can help to reduce the impact of mold and return your home to a normal condition.

We offer expert mold damage remediation to Chicago residents all year round. Lab-testing microbial growth can often be a time-consuming and inconclusive venture. The noticeable symptoms of a microbial infestation, such as a distinct musty odor, are usually enough to justify professional remediation. Remediation is a staged process that begins with an inspection of damaged areas. The inspection phase can often require temporarily lifting floors or using borescopes to analyze wall and ceiling cavities to observe how far the mold has spread. Since mold requires a source of moisture to grow, an infestation often stems from a pre-existing moisture problem. Some moisture problems are consistent such as a leaking pipe. Other moisture problems can arise from insufficient insulation, causing condensation or roofing gaps that allow rainwater. Mold can also grow from a one-time issue like a spillage that goes unnoticed for several days. 

Different Types of Moisture Problems and How They Connect to Mold Remediation 

• If surfaces are still wet, the moisture problem stems from a consistent flow of water. It is vital to fix the leak before beginning the remediation process. 
• If moldy surfaces are dry, it may have been a one-time issue. A chemical cleaning solution can be very effective in these circumstances.
• A mold that appears during certain times of the year can often indicate insufficient insulation. A vapor barrier can often correct these issues and prevent recurring growth.

The first goal of a mold remediation technician is to correct the source of the issue. Dealing with the moisture problem first ensures that the fungi do not grow back during or after the remediation service. Once the source of the problem is isolated and corrected, we can begin to work on the existing damage. Remediation techniques often disturb moldy areas, releasing spores into the environment. Correctly preparing the room or property by sealing off certain areas, establishing clean rooms, and decontaminating areas are essential to stop spores from spreading. Generally speaking, the removal of microbial growth is achievable through anti-microbial chemicals, physical agitation, or by disposing of the infested material altogether. Whether materials need to be disposed of depends on the porosity of the material and the cost of replacement. Porous materials are generally more susceptible to infestation than their denser counterparts.

Equipment for Aggressive Agitation and Cleaning of Microbials

• Metal scrapers and steel wool can help scrape mold from dense surfaces.
• Like Hardwoods or lumber, Dense organic matter can often be sanded down and refinished to remove exterior mold. 
• Blasting equipment- sand, soda, or ice- helps eliminate molds without causing excessive damage to the surface beneath. Soda blasting can be ideal for valuable materials with exterior mold.

Tackling mold can be tricky without expertise. Contact SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City for mold remediation at (773) 337-3900.