Cleaning Mold Damage from Atlanta Homes

2/6/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's first step is to locate the mold and its source, this step helps us to determine the necessary cleaning methods to use.

SERVPRO’s Steps to Remediating Mold Damage in Your Home

Flooding or other water damage to an Atlanta home can also lead to mold problems. It only takes a small cluster, no bigger than a pinhead, to begin growing and turn into a threat to property and personal health.

The smell is how most people first notice Atlanta mold damage. Active mold growth has a distinctive musty odor that few people can mistake. SERVPRO technicians know that is not the best way to detect it, since not every mold gives off this odor and if a homeowner does detect it, that means mold may already be a threat. To eliminate it from homes, we clean and dry everything that has mold but is salvageable, dispose of items we cannot clean, and dry everything that does not have mold but is still at risk.

To begin cleaning, we first have to find the mold. Technicians can do this with air content meters to follow airborne mold spores and visual inspections of likely spaces such as under sinks, laundry rooms, crawlspaces, and basements. Both methods of detection also help us determine which cleaning methods to use.

Next, we isolate the mold. Depending on where we find it, SERVPRO response team members block all access with plastic sheeting and use fans to create negative air pressure and force airborne and other loose spores out of the home. If necessary, we also seal off the heating and air vents to prevent accidentally contaminating unaffected areas of the home.

Now, we can clean. Technicians start by wiping down affected surfaces with dry sponges and cloths. Unless the mold layer is very thick, this removes the majority of it. If the cloths and sponges cannot remove it, we bring in vacuums with HEPA filters. These are specially designed to capture mold spores.

If there is an excessive amount of moisture present, we need to break up clumps of mold. Team members can do this with an anti-fungal cleaning agent and then use wet sponges to remove the mold. If needed, we can also use vacuums with the HEPA filters to remove wet mold as easily as the dry spores.

When none of these methods work, we have to dispose of the property. Everything we remove from the home is according to state and EPA regulations.

If the inside humidity is too high, we can use dehumidifiers and air movers to reduce the air moisture content. These devices help us dry not just the structure, but also remove moisture from personal property as well. Lowering the humidity to normal levels is the most effective method to prevent future mold growth.

Returning your home to its original state is not a simple task, but SERVPRO of West Atlanta / Downtown is here to help you through each step. Call us today at (404) 835-0200 to get started.

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