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Containment of the affected mold area allows the professionals to do their job without fear of spreading the mold to other areas. In a limited containment a single layer of 6 mil fire retardant polyethylene sheeting is used to completely surround the area with a flap entry from the outside to a slit behind the flap to allow admittance of the workers inside the area. Sometimes these sheets are attached to ceilings or doorways with duct tape while if the space is larger they might need to build a wood frame with the polyethylene sheeting securely attached to it. Any stairs, doors or air vents are sealed as well and if air conditioning or heating systems are affected, those units might have to be replaced. Removing and minimizing moisture is the key, so the containment area must have minimal air flow, so a HEPA or High Efficiency Particulate Air fan with a filter venting to the outside is used.
In a full containment that is done for extensive contamination or if the professional decides this is the best course of action, double layers of the polyethylene are used. The entryway would be like the limited containment with an outside flap covering a slit but instead of direct entry to the containment area there would be a decontamination chamber that can hold a waste container and be large enough for the person to change into or out of special protective gear. Wearing specially designed protective gear called PPE or Personal Protective Equipment will allow them to remove the mold safely without exposing themselves to the mold and allow these professionals to do their work more effectively. When they remove the PPE they will place it in a sealed bag while they are in this decontamination chamber. Respirators are also worn when working with the mold and would be worn until they are outside the decontamination chamber.
As they remove wallpaper or carpeting or wallboard or other affected areas thereby exposing the mold spores, the professionals carefully discard all the materials that are moldy by double bagging them in 6 mil polyethylene and sealing them tightly with duct tape. They are not removed from the containment area until they are sealed or covered with the polyethylene sheeting depending on the size of the materials. All of these materials are usually disposed of as ordinary construction waste but are well covered to minimize the spread of the mold. They then use a HEPA or High Efficiency Particulate Air vacuum to remove the dust and to generally clean up the area that has been removed of all contaminated materials.
The HEPA vacuum filters are disposed of in plastic bags tightly sealed for discard. The hose and other parts of the vacuum are thoroughly cleaned so that all the surfaces are completely cleaned and dried. Hard surfaces that are not being disposed of are washed with a solution of water and detergent and quickly wiped dry to deter further mold growth. Any porous materials such as carpet or seat cushions should be discarded and disposed of as it is unlikely that they can be remediated of all mold completely.
Sometimes further mold damage is found once the workers open up a wall or pull up a floor so in some cases the containment area  has to be reevaluated and if necessary redesigned to accommodate the extent of the mold contamination. Containment of the mold is the key to complete remediation so that you do not suffer a reoccurrence any time soon. If the mold is not eradicated you will continue to battle this problem with it spreading its deadly spores like tentacles behind the wallboards, ceiling and or carpeting.
Mold – whether toxic or not – can lead to numerous health issues that affect some more than others. Small children and the elderly are more susceptible and can suffer from cold and asthma type symptoms without even being aware that mold is the problem. Some people suffer acute respiratory and inflammatory types of conditions that can lead to cancer and other life threatening diseases if the mold goes undetected or is not completely remediated.
If you have a mold problem, it is in your best interests to have a professional come in and do the necessary remediation. Finding it in your basement, attic or in the back of a dark closet or underneath a sink are certainly enough evidence. Having a professional who understands and knows the ABC’s of mold removal will be a worthwhile investment in the safety of your home, family and environment.
Commercial and Residential Mold Remediation
If mold is discovered in your home or commercial building, it is essential to determine the source of the mold and take steps to eradicate it as soon as possible. Mold is caused by water penetration and can be caused by a leak through a window or from a leaky faucet or behind a toilet in a bathroom. If water is allowed to not only penetrate but settle into an area – usually undetected because it likes the dark – then it can cause irreparable damage if it is not found immediately. In addition, there can be serious health problems associated with mold such as respiratory, inflammatory and other conditions that can lead to serious illnesses affecting some more than others.
If mold is found on your shower tiles, you can remove it with a good cleanser and if you keep the area clean you will control the problem. Mold on fruit or cheese in a refrigerator can easily be removed and the area cleaned thoroughly as well. Even a leaky faucet can be cleaned and remediated if it is caught early and not given the chance to entrench itself into the wall board or the flooring or other areas. Simply cleaning off the pipe and fixing the leak will not usually remedy the situation. While you have stopped the source of the leak, the mold might already have advanced to a degree that cannot be remedied by simple cleaning or eradication of the mold that you can see – because there might be mold that is hidden.
Unfortunately mold loves the darkness to thrive and continue to grow but when it is hidden away behind drywall or wallpaper or underneath carpeting or on the back side of ceiling tiles, how do you know it’s even there? It can sometimes be difficult but if you start really looking for it – especially if you suspect you might have a problem – then you will likely be able to see the telltale signs. If a wall has vinyl wallpaper or wood paneling, it can sometimes hide moisture easily but you should look for discoloration of the walls or ceiling or a musty odor that indicates that something is wet. The problem is that once you discover it, you need to be cautious about how you go about looking to see the extent of the problem… as removing a piece of wallpaper or pulling up a carpet will release the spores of the mold into the atmosphere – thereby increasing the chances of spreading the mold unnecessarily.
So what do you do when you have found the mold and need to have it removed? Depending on the size of the mold and how much damage has already been incurred, you should probably consult
 with an expert who can analyze the situation professionally and determine the best plan for remediation. If the mold problem is in a commercial building such as offices you should try to assess the magnitude of the problem carefully to determine what steps might be necessary that will minimize the disruption to the occupants. You need to decide what the potential health risks are because some molds can be toxic as well, making the task even more formidable.
Whenever possible you should try to handle the remediation process during off hours when workers are less likely to be in the building, however this might not be possible in all cases and in some instances, the areas being remediated might need to be sealed off from occupants until the process is completed. The first step will be to stop the source of the water – whether it is a flooded basement or if it is caused from roof leaks. Wet vacuums might be used to collect water from hard surfaces such as floors but should not be used on porous materials such as gypsum board and only should be used if the areas are in sitting water or are wet. Non-porous surfaces can be cleaned up with a water and detergent mixture, being scrubbed and then thoroughly dried. Any porous materials should be discarded since it will be impossible to remove all the mold spores from this type of material.
HEPA or High Efficiency Particulate Air vacuums are often used to collect dust that has settled in the area affected. Any filters and contents of the vacuum bags should be carefully disposed of in well sealed plastic bags that are securely tied. This will minimize the risk of spreading any of the mold spores. Any items that are to  be discarded from the area such as a mattress or seat cushion should be covered in polyethylene sheeting or where possible plastic bags and sealed with duct tape for removal from the area.
Protective gear should be used that includes gloves, goggles for eye protection and other protective and disposable clothing such as paper overalls that should be discarded in the same way as the affected materials. This protective gear is called Personal Protective Equipment or PPE and is used primarily to avoid spreading the spores and preventing them from entering through the skin or eyes.
Remediation methods will vary depending on the types of materials that are affected because if they are not handled correctly and either discarded or thoroughly cleansed, the mold can keep spreading. Items such as carpeting, mattresses or pillows should be disposed of as it will be unlikely that you can rid yourself completely of the mold. The location should be contained to minimize exposure to other areas of the building or home and a professional can easily determine how large that containment area should be. Sometimes it is necessary to remove complete walls to investigate and properly contain the spread of the mold. Professionals who are trained in mold remediation should only be used to do this type of work, although it can be done by homeowners who are untrained it is not recommended, especially when there is extensive mold that needs to be eradicated as well as a health risk factor in the equation.
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