Mould Removal

What is Mould?

Mould is a type of fungi that grows in multicellular structures called hyphae. Mould spores are invisible to the naked eyes. Mould grows best in damp places, where they can begin to grow within 12-24 hours and become visible within 72 hours. There are thousands of different species of mould; some are used to produce common things like medicine (namely penicillin) and foods. However, when mould grows in your business property, it can be detrimental, causing property damage and health issues.

Mould growth in or around your property is dangerous because:

1. When mould starts to grow, it feeds on the materials it is growing on, resulting in irreversible damage.
2. Mould releases tiny spores and byproducts into the air, which can irritate or be the cause of many illnesses. If these are breathed in, they can cause respiratory problems. Stachybotrys Chartarum (Commonly known as black mould) is a common form of mould found in properties that can lead to such problems.

Mould Remediation Process

Mould remediation or mould removal is a complex process which involves much more than just simply spraying and wiping clean the affected surfaces. 

BELFOR's specialists will take the following stops to remediate mould:

1. Fix Any Moisture Problems First
   If you suspect that your mould problem has been started by a leak or other water problem, it is important to fix this first because mould needs moisture to grow.
    
2. Isolate Areas of Mould
   To avoid any cross-contamination, areas of mould must be isolated from other areas before demolition, cleaning or drying can begin.
    
3. Throw Out Absorbent Materials
   Certain items that have been affected by mould, particularly porous items, will need to be removed completely.
    
4. Clean Away The Mould
   All visible traces of mould will be removed before an antimicrobial or biocide spray is used to clean the surfaces during a wet wipe.
    
5. Thoroughly Dry
   A thorough drying process is required to complete mould remediation. This will be accomplish using air movers and dehumidifiers, as well as moisture meters to provide an accurate reading as to whether the materials are dry.
    

Why do I need a Mould Removal Specialist?
At BELFOR, we specialise in the removal of mould from properties. BELFOR's mould removal teams are considered the best in the industry and we were the first to issue mould guidelines in 2002. We were also the contributing authors to the official industry Reference Guide for Professional Mould Remediation

Large-scale mould removal requires expert knowledge and specialised equipment to carry out the mould remediation work. Certain situations require mould removal specialists to guarantee effective mould remediation, regardless of the size of the impacted area.

Proper Structural Drying
In order to reduce the chances of mould recurrence in your property, proper structural drying should take place. BELFOR provides commercial dehumidification and air purifying equipment and ensure that indoor air quality guidelines are followed. This type of large-scale work is particularly important after significant flooding or a large leak in the property. Simply cleaning away the mould without thoroughly drying the property will result in remaining moisture leading to reoccurrence.

Flooding
Any mould that comes as a result of flooding should be removed by a professional mould removal expert. Flood water can be contaminated by sewage, chemicals and bacteria, and any contaminated water damage must be dealt with by an expert. Similarly, contaminated materials must be dealt with professionally as they pose serious health risks and can cause problems long after the flood.

Specialized Item Cleaning
Different items require different methods and approaches to cleaning and decontamination. Even if you have thoroughly wiped it and used a product described as a "mould removal spray", there is still a chance that mould spores could remain within the fibers. Mould removal spray does not exist; mould must be removed professionally; and any spray will just form part of a wet wipe after.

HVAC System Contamination
Mould growth or settled spores can impact the HVAC system. This is because mould grows and travels through spores, when a HVAC system is contaminated with mould, the infestation can quickly spread and become a large-scale issue. Not only would the entire HVAC system need to be cleaned and decontaminated, but any of the spaces warmed or cooled by the air system would also need to be tested and potentially treated for mould due to possible exposure.

BELFOR offers a complete mould remediation process. This includes full structural drying and dehumidification, containment and decontamination as well as disposal of contaminated materials. We also recommend third-party air quality testing to ensure the property is safe with dangerous spores removed.