If you are like most homeowners, you may have some concerns about reoccupying your home after mold remediation has been completed.
Whether you are concerned about exposure to mold spores after remediation or if you fear that your home will be “contaminated” by mold once it has been removed, this article discusses what to expect when living in a house after mold removal.
The thought of living in a mold-infested home is enough to make anyone feel uneasy.
It is no surprise that most individuals question it’s safe to live in a house after mold remediation.
Molds are microscopic organisms that can grow and infest homes if the conditions are right. Mold can cause allergic reactions and be dangerous for some individuals.
The last thing you need is for your family members to become sick post-remediation.
When mold remediation has been completed in your home, you are left wondering if it will be safe to return and if the work was done correctly.
In most cases, it is safe to return after mold remediation. As long as the mold remediation process was completed correctly, there shouldn’t be any cause for concern.
What is mold remediation?
Simply, mold remediation is the process of removing mold contamination from a home or other structure using means and methods to prevent the spores from being released into the air.
Professional remediation contractors use trained professionals and specialized tools and equipment during the mold removal process.
During mold remediation, every effort is made to prevent the spread of spores into your home by containing the area and carefully removing all traces of active growth.
And ensuring no moisture conditions exist after remediation has been completed.
In most cases, additional steps may need to be taken, such as using negative air machines and HEPA vacuums with special filters designed to catch even the smallest particles.
In addition to containment measures, many remediators use fans and dehumidifiers to help dry the area.
Additionally, biocides or antimicrobial chemicals are also used to treat items impacted by mold growth.
After the Mold Remediation Process
After the mold remediation has been completed, the areas must be inspected to verify all mold contamination was removed.
Additionally, the inspection should verify that the moisture source has been properly addressed.
For large mold remediation projects, the insurance carrier may have some additional requirements for completing mold remediation.
This could include verification testing to ensure surfaces are free from mold growth or that the area is dry to prevent future mold growth.
Often you can have the company who performed the initial assessment come back in to do a final inspection and report.
If you choose to get the home inspected, make sure the company has been approved by your insurance carrier. And ensure that they conducted a full inspection of all areas that were impacted by mold growth.
More often than not, it is safe to return once a thorough inspection shows there are no signs of ongoing or new moisture issues and all surfaces have been verified as clean from any remaining presence of visible mold spores.
Once it has been verified that all traces of visible growth have been removed, your home should be safe to occupy.
Before returning home, the remediation contractor may recommend that your home be left vacant for a period of time so they can do additional cleaning and ensure that the mold remediation process is successful.
If there are any remaining concerns, you should talk with your contractor or the person who did the mold inspection and testing initially.
They can quickly put all of those worries aside by providing more information on what they found in their final assessment. They can also provide information on additional treatment options for mold prevention.
Safety Tips after mold remediation
When the home is reoccupied, there are some safety tips that will help ensure everyone stays healthy throughout the process.
Utilizing these tips will allow you to feel safe in your home even if when it has undergone mold remediation.
- Even though most homes are safe following mold removal procedures, some insurance companies may require additional clearance testing before allowing occupants back into their homes post-remediation.
- Visually inspect the area to see if any moisture or mold growth reappears.
- If you see any signs of mold regrowth, it is critical that you call the contractor back to take care of the problem.
- Ask the contractor to install an air scrubber for an additional 24 hours to help capture any dust and airborne particles that may be lingering in the air.
- Do a walk-through to ensure the contractor has removed all trash and debris associated with the mold removal process.
- For the first couple of days after the remediation, pay attention and notify the remediation contractor if you smell earthy or musty odors in the area where the remediation took place. This could indicate that the mold remediation project was not successful and that the area should be re-treated.
Mold Remediation: The Bottom Line
Most of the time, it is safe to reoccupy your home after mold remediation. As long as the mold removal was completed correctly, there should be no cause for concern.
Removing visible signs of mold and thoroughly testing the property can provide homeowners with peace of mind when it comes time to return home after mold remediation has taken place.
It is important to understand that mold remediation does not always have a 100% success rate. Even when the process goes well, there could be a period of time in which you cannot occupy your home.
If you have any questions, drop us a line at info@themoldinsider.com