Why Demolition-Free Mold Remediation Is a Bad Idea

Proper equipment should be used when removing mold

Mold has been a centuries-old problem, but the solution has always been the same. You remove every inch of the infected area to stop the spread. Still, a lot of people will try to look for demo-free mold remediation to avoid the hassle. As much as we would like that to be a good idea, it is not.

No matter how convincing demolition-free mold remediation may sound, its effectiveness is almost non-existant. If you have an infection under your skin, would sticking a Band-Aid on your skin be useful? That is simply not going to work. It is only a cheaper and more convenient method that would apparently provide you a quick fix, but will not eliminate the underlying issue.

What Is Fogging?

To kill or eliminate the presence of mold in a property, some people will try to use a fogging method. An antimicrobial biocide or fungicide is used in an aerosolized form. Although the regulations of mold removal aren’t as established as other forms of environmental cleanup, some organizations do set industry guidelines and standards. Like the EPA, IICRC, NORMI, NAERMC, MICRO etc.

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has declared that the vapor-based antimicrobials are not particularly effective or safe to use as the only solution for mold removal. The efficiency, delivery, and potential toxicity of the antimicrobial compounds are the top issues in using chemical-based methods. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend fogging unless the chemical used is registered for that specific purpose.

Why Is It Not Effective?

If you choose to go for demolition-free removal strategies, you would be skipping the “Phase 1” of traditional mold remediation. So, starting directly with “Phase 2” means you missed the roots of successful mold removal.

A remediation that doesn’t include demolition fails to address the actual cause that led to the mold growth in the first place. For example, there might be water or moisture intrusion that needs to be fixed in order to prevent the mold from growing back. Humidity, moisture intrusion, or a water source must be identified and resolved before the mold is removed from the surface level. Mold will only be killed on the surface using the fogging method, but the source of the spore growth has to be resolved or it will quickly return. When heat, humidity, or moisture are imbalanced, mold will growth within 72 hours.

Besides this, mold has a root-like system called hyphae. That means the mold can physically grow by forcing its roots into porous building materials such as insulation or drywall. So employing a demolition-free method would mean that the roots won’t be eliminated.

The solution generally used in fogging does not penetrate the infected walls or ceilings, which allows the mold colonies to grow behind them. No one can claim to make your house mold-free without completely removing of the mold infected area. Otherwise, it should be no surprise when the mold grows back.

Why Traditional Methods Are More Effective

First, the professionals will identify the source allowing mold growth in the infected area. Next, they do a thorough mold inspection of the remaining walls and ceilings to check how far the moisture has traveled. Based off their findings, they will start with containment and seal off the area with plastic sheeting to prevent the spread of mold through the property.

To further ensure the prevention of spread, they use specialized equipment that removes mold spores from the air. In the next step, the licensed remediator should remove two feet of the water damaged materials at a time from the infected area. This process may include ripping out drywall, carpets, cabinets, tile, insulation, etc.

Only then can professionals spray chemicals on the infected surfaces to kill any mold spores left behind. So, as you can see, this method is a fool-proof mold removal and remediation method. That is why you cannot achieve the same results with just the fogging method.

Contact Mold Masters for Mold Removal and Remediation Today!

If you have observed symptoms of mold growth in your house, you must call the professionals experienced in both mold inspections and mold removal. Choosing to DIY with an antimicrobial chemical spray can only intensify the issue instead of address it. So, call Mold Masters to rid your house of mold and ensure it doesn’t grow back.

The team of specialists at Mold Masters has been dealing with mold for over 20 years all across Florida. To discuss mold removal in your home today, call us at one of our offices (Central Florida: 813-606-6668, South Florida: 239-961-9995, North Florida: 904-397-4030). You can also contact us here or click on the chat button below.