Mold Remediation

Houston Enviro Assessments - Life Thrives Here

To clean up and remove indoor mold growth, follow steps 1-6 as they apply to your home.

1. Identify and Repair the Moisture Problem

The most important step in solving a mold problem is to identify and correct the moisture sources that allowed the growth in the first place. Common indoor moisture sources include:

Flooding

Condensation (caused by indoor humidity that is too high or surfaces that are too cold)

Movement through basement walls and slab

Roof leaks

Plumbing leaks

Overflow from tubs, sinks, or toilets

Humidifier use

Firewood stored indoors

Humidifier use

Inadequate venting of kitchen and bath humidity

Improper venting of combustion appliances

Failure to vent clothes dryer exhaust outdoors (including electric dryers)
Line drying laundry indoors

House plants - watering them can generate large amounts of moisture

To keep indoor surfaces as dry as possible, you should maintain the home's relative humidity at less than 55 percent. Smart home thermostats can monitor humidity levels in your home, or you can purchase meters to measure relative humidity at some home supply stores and on-line.

2. Begin Drying All Wet Materials

As soon as possible, begin drying any materials that are wet. For severe moisture problems, use fans and dehumidifiers and move wet items away from walls and off floors. Check with equipment rental companies or restoration firms to see if you can rent fans and dehumidifiers.

3. Remove and Dispose of Mold Contaminated Materials

Items which have absorbed moisture (porous materials) and which have mold growing on them need to be removed, bagged and thrown out.

Such materials may include sheet rock, insulation, plaster, carpet/carpet pad, ceiling tiles, wood products (other than solid wood), and paper products. Likewise, any such porous materials that have contacted sewage should also be bagged and thrown away. Non-porous materials with surface mold growth may be saved if they are cleaned well and kept dry (see step 4).

Take Steps to Protect Yourself - the amount of mold particles in air can increase greatly when mold is disturbed. Consider using protective equipment when handling or working around mold contaminated materials. The following equipment can help minimize exposure to mold:

Rubber gloves

Eye goggles

Outer clothing (long sleeves and long pants) that can be easily removed in the work area and laundered or discarded
Medium-efficiency or high-efficiency filter dust mask (these can be found at safety equipment suppliers, hardware stores, or some other large stores that sell home repair supplies) -- at a minimum, use an N-95 or equivalent dust mask

Take Steps to Protect Yourself - the amount of mold particles in air can increase greatly when mold is disturbed. Consider using protective equipment when handling or working around mold contaminated materials. The following equipment can help minimize exposure to mold:

Enclose all moldy materials in 6-mil poly plastic (bags or sheets) before carrying through the home

Hang plastic sheeting to separate the work area from the rest of the home

Remove outer layer of work clothing in the work area and wash separately or bag
Damp clean the entire work area to pick up settled contaminants in dust

4. Clean Surfaces

Surface mold growing on non-porous materials such as hard plastic, concrete, glass, metal, and solid wood can usually be cleaned. Cleaning must remove and capture the mold contamination, because dead spores and mold particles still cause health problems if they are left in place.

Thoroughly scrub all contaminated surfaces using a stiff brush, hot water and a non-ammonia soap/detergent or commercial cleaner
Collect excess cleaning liquid with a wet/dry vacuum, mop or sponge

Rinse area with clean water and collect excess rinse water

5. Disinfect Surfaces

(If desired) - after cleaning has removed all visible mold and other soiling from contaminated surfaces, a disinfectant may be used to kill mold missed by the cleaning. In the case of sewage contamination, disinfection must be performed. Contact your home inspector for advice.

Houston Enviro Assessments recommends only using consumer cleaning products specifically designed to kill and prevent mold. Please read and follow all warning labels and directions of use when using any consumer cleaning product. In the case of sewage contamination, Houston Enviro Assessments recommends a professional remediation company be consulted.

6. Remain on Mold Alert

Continue to look for signs of moisture problems or any return of mold growth. Be particularly alert for moisture in areas of past mold growth. Regrowth may signal that the material should be removed and/or that moisture is not yet controlled.

When can we rebuild?

Rebuilding and refurnishing must wait until all affected materials have dried completely. Be patient: it takes time to dry out wet building materials.