4 Steps To Clean Up a Moldy Area

The process for each mold remediation can vary drastically depending on the damage. However, there are a few basic steps that are generally followed. Here is what you can expect to take place during your restoration work.

1. Vacuum the Water
The first step will involve using shop vacuums to suck up the water in your building. This removes the standing water from your floors and other hard surfaces. However, it will not remove moisture from porous materials, such as drywall. Instead, they will only spread mold spores from damp materials like this. Afterward, the vacuums will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

2. Clean Surfaces
This fungus is not something you want to be left on your surfaces. Therefore, the next step is to scrub nonporous surfaces with water and a detergent. Then, they will be allowed to dry. Note, workers will clean only nonporous materials. Porous items will likely need to be thrown away. This is because spores can get trapped in the pores and become nearly impossible to remove.

3. Use a HEPA Vacuum
After everything has been cleaned and dried, the next step is to use a High-Efficiency Particulate Air vacuum inside the area that cleanup professionals have sectioned off. Workers should use the vacuum to remove dust and other particulates. They must use a HEPA vacuum with the filter correctly installed. Additionally, this can disrupt spores, so it is important to wear PPE while performing this step. Once finished, the filter and vacuum contents must be safely disposed of.

4. Remove Damaged Materials
Finally, any building materials that are not salvageable must be removed from the containment area safely. Generally, this means bagging them in thick plastic and discarding them as construction materials. However, they must remain sealed in the bags to reduce the spread of spores. Items that are too large for bags should have plastic sheets wrapped around them and sealed with duct tape before removal.

While the mold restoration process is not always the same, these are the basic steps that will take place. By following these, contractors ensure they remove the spores completely and safely.