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

What's The Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?

Mold spores can be found everywhere. There are over 100,000 variations of mold, most of them out in the natural environment where they belong. But when airborne mold spores start growing and spreading in your home after a water disaster, they can cause incredible damage and health concerns.

Common household molds you find in your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry are often unsightly but can, in most cases, be easily cleaned away. The mold that appears and grows after a natural disaster or a burst pipe, though, is another story. It gets into places you would never imagine, including:

  • Drywall
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Wood beams and floors
  • Cardboard
  • Paper products
  • Insulation
  • Paint
  • Furniture and upholstery
  • Carpeting
  • Clothing
  • and more

When that happens, you need the services of a professional mold removal and remediation company like Central Florida Restoration Services. A qualified restoration company understands the science behind mold growth, removal, and remediation. And it has the experience and expertise to get mold levels in your home back to normal, natural levels.

Knowing the difference between mold removal and mold remediation can help you understand why the services of a professional restoration company are needed when your home suffers significant water damage.

What is Mold Removal?

Removing mold and mold-infested materials from your home after water damage is just one part of the mold remediation process. And as simple as the term sounds, mold removal can be challenging. It involves much more than simply scrubbing the mold away. It must also address the core problem and identify the mold’s source.

Some mold removal companies guarantee they can remove all mold entirely from your home. In truth, that’s impossible because molds are a natural part of our ecosystem. What you want is a company that knows how to control mold’s growth and spread. You might wonder why, if mold removal services don’t eliminate all mold from your house, you need restoration services at all. Mold removal is essential because prolonged exposure to any kind of mold can have adverse effects on your health and your home’s structure.

What is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation services are more involved than just mold removal and typically include:

  • Removal of water-damaged and or mold-infested materials.
  • Replacement of drywall with severe damage.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting walls, ceilings, carpets, furniture, and other household items.
  • Cleaning and filtrating the premises to remove any remaining mold spores.

Most professional mold remediation companies follow industry-recommended processes and procedures to ensure all toxic mold is eliminated from your home. More importantly, they take steps to help make sure it never comes back. Mold inspections or assessments, mold containment, mold removal, and filtration, as well as repairs, are just some of the services involved.

  • Mold inspections and assessments help us judge the severity of the mold problem as well as the types of mold infestation you’re dealing with. There might not be any visible signs of mold, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have hidden mold growth behind walls, in the attic or crawlspace, or even inside your HVAC system. Inspections typically include collecting air samples to gauge your home’s exact mold situation. Mold cleanup and removal recommendations are then made, as are suggestions as to which products, equipment, and techniques will best deal with the problem.
  • Professional-grade mold removal products and expert techniques keep the complex mold remediation and removal process moving smoothly. Cleaning surfaces and materials such as glass and metal is a relatively fast process. More porous materials penetrated by mold, like wood and concrete, can be much more challenging. If the damage is severe, it may require replacing all affected materials.
  • Air filtration machines with HEPA filters are used to restore good air quality and safe breathing to your living spaces.
  • Containment or closing offing affected areas is sometimes required for more extensive mold remediation and removal. If possible, the best solution is to leave your home completely until the mold removal and remediation process is over and mold spores have been eliminated. This protects people and pets from inhaling mold spores or having them drop on their clothing or fur.
  • Repairs tofix and restore your damaged property are completed after the cleaning and removal process.

5 Signs You May Need Mold Remediation Service

Mold thrives in warm and humid conditions. You can help limit mold growth and spread in your home by visually inspecting for mold in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, and attics. Early detection of mold can protect your family’s health and prevent damage to building materials and home furnishings.

When you have a major water incident or notice any of the following signs in your home, you should immediately contact a professional mold remediation company.

1. Mold Odor

You may not be able to actually see mold growth, so trusting your nose is a great way to detect the problem. 

Many indoor mold infestations give off a musty or mildew-like smell. If you notice any strange new odors that are particularly strong, it indicates a mold problem more often than not. These odors tend to be found under carpets and padding, behind curtains and draperies, in insulated walls, and above ceiling tiles.

2. Dark Spots

Molds feed on organic materials. If its growth is left unchecked for a long enough time it can result in discoloration.

If you notice dark spots on the walls of living areas, bathrooms, garages, and kitchens, you likely have a mold problem. When most people think of mold, they think black and green. But many molds are white, pink, gray/green, or gray/brown. If you notice any discoloration or patchy stained spots on your home’s walls, it’s best to contact a mold remediation service.

A note: Class A molds, typically black in color, are highly toxic and cause serious health problems. You should leave the property and contact a professional mold remediation service immediately if you notice this type of mold in your house.

3. Water Damage

As we know, molds love humidity and dampness. Whenever you have a water leak in your home, it creates the risk of mold growth. That’s why it’s essential to get professional help as soon as possible. Plus, if those leaks happen in hard-to-reach areas, like inside walls or in crawlspaces, a mold remediation professional should be called in to inspect the areas and nip any mold growth in the bud. Signs to look for include cracks in wall and ceiling paint, peeling wallpaper, and “spongy” floorboards. If your home has a history of flooding, it could be prone to frequent mold growth, so be sure to talk to a professional about what you need to do to keep your home mold-free and safe.

4. Condensation

When warm, moisture-rich air meets a cold surface, condensation occurs, causing the surface to cool quickly. Water droplets are then released on walls, windows, and in air ducts. This moisture build-up, particularly when it happens regularly, promotes mold growth. To combat condensation and the mold growth it causes, be sure to regulate your home’s temperature appropriately. You might also consider investing in a whole-home humidifier. Individual units can easily be installed in bathrooms and other humid areas in the house.

5. Allergic Reactions

People with sensitive or weakened immune systems often suffer mold allergies. Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to mold include:

  • Red and irritated eyes
  • Runny or stuffy noses
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Trouble breathing
  • Dry and scaly skin

If you or anyone living in your Central Florida home starts showing signs of these conditions, they may be having a reaction to mold. If the symptoms disappear when they’re away from the house, it’s highly likely mold is the problem.

Why You Need Professional Restoration Services After Water Damage

We can’t stress it enough: having mold properly remediated instead of trying to do the job yourself is a must, and here’s why.

Experts Can Gauge the Extent of Mold Growth

Mold is a natural consequence of flooding and huge amounts of standing water are the upshot of flooding. And it takes considerable skills and effort to remove it.

Unless the mold growth covers an area less than three feet by three feet, experts recommend hiring a mold remediation specialist. So, if you’re faced with some small mold problems in a corner of the bathroom or kitchen, you can probably perform DIY mold removal. But anything larger calls for bringing in the pros. It can help to think of visible mold as the tip of the iceberg, with most of the potential damage lurking beneath the surface.

You Could Damage Your House

To rid their home of mold, many people use harsh cleaners and the wrong tools. The result is often damaged walls, ruined floors, or other kinds of damage that make the remediation project far more time-consuming and costly than it needs to be. Professionals have the proper tools and know-how to tackle all sorts of mold problems head-on without damaging your home. Their goal is to help you avoid replacing drywall, cabinetry, flooring, and more. They’re also fully equipped with the latest safety gear, including filtration masks, protective gloves, and suits.

All Your Mold Questions Answered

An experienced restoration company can explain what’s happening and answer any questions you might have regarding mold infestation, removal, and remediation. The company you hire should be able to explain the process in simple terms; if they can’t, it’s best to look for another contractor.

How to Choose a Mold Remediation Company

Picking up the pieces after a home flooding can be emotionally draining and mold issues can make it doubly so. But it doesn’t need to be that way. New technologies and techniques have made mold removal less complicated. And, when you choose the right company to handle your mold problem, the remediation process is quicker, more efficient, and minimizes further damage to your property.

Mold remediation services are all about protecting your family, your health, and your property. Maintaining healthful indoor air quality and removing mold as quickly as possible makes your home a healthier place to live!

For more than 25 years, CFRS has expertly and efficiently delivered fast, professional mold removal services to nearly 1,000 homeowners throughout Central Florida. We’re skilled at helping you address potential mold problems in the short window of 24 to 48 hours when mold can begin to grow and spread.

Whether your home has experienced a natural or homemade disaster, you need a professional and reliable mold remediation company to help you handle it. When you choose CFRS as your mold remediation expert you enjoy:

  • Expert services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact us anytime!
  • Tested and proven mold removal and remediation methods using the best tools and techniques.
  • Assistance dealing with your insurance company.

Don’t let removing mold from your property become a stressful experience. Leave the hard work to the experts at CFRS! Contact us online today or call us at 407-988-6101 to learn more about efficiently, safely, and permanently removing mold from your Central Florida home.