How Long Does Mold Remediation Take?

Once you become aware of a mold infestations on your property, it is critical to take proactive steps to remediate the problem as soon as possible. Molds, which can be allergenic or toxic, pose a serious threat to human health, after all — and the consequences become increasingly severe with increased exposure. A mold infestation can additionally cause property damage, which becomes more extensive over time if the problem is left untreated. 

When it comes to getting rid of mold, you have two basic options. You can attempt to remediate the mold infestation yourself, or you can hire a professional mold remediation process to carry out the entire process. Similar steps are required in both scenarios. Because mold remediation companies have developed effective protocols, and are unlikely to miss any spots that would become the beginning of a recurrence, they will do the job faster. 

What Steps Are Involved in the Mold Remediation Process?

The mold remediation is more extensive than you might think — it’s not just a matter of treating the area with powerful fungicides. Let’s take a look at all the steps involved in the process of getting rid of a mold problem:

1. A thorough mold inspection. Before mold can successfully be eliminated, all mold within the property has to be identified — along with the underlying causes of the infestation. Mold can thrive practically anywhere wet or humid, and common sources of a mold infestation include leaking roofs or pipes, recent flooding in which materials remained moist, and even condensation buildup in a particular area of the home. Mold can sometimes build up in spaces that are not normally visible, like in crawl spaces or within walls. A mold remediation company can effectively determine the extent and cause of the problem.
2. Establish a plan of action. What needs to be done to fix the mold problem? That doesn’t just mean killing active mold colonies, but also addressing the underlying source.
3. Materials that cannot be saved should be discarded. Carpets cannot be cleaned effectively, for instance, and the same is often true for drywall and wooden window frames that have become rotten. Likewise, mold-infested smaller household fabrics such as curtains will have to be thrown out.
4. Preparing the working area. This includes using a shop vac to create negative air pressure, which will prevent the spread of mold spores, and donning personal protective equipment.
5. Treating the mold-infested areas, using an appropriate fungicide, and cleaned thoroughly.
6. Next, all damage should be repaired, both for your comfort and to prevent the mold infestation from returning.

How Long Does Mold Remediation Take?

That depends on the extent of the mold infestation, on the underlying cause of the problem, and on the severity of the property damage. You can expect the mold remediation process itself to take anywhere from one to seven days. This includes the initial mold inspection, the necessary preparatory work, mold treatment, and cleanup. 

You could say that the process is finished with that, but you would only be half right. The damage that occurred still has to be repaired, and that very much includes creating an environment in which mold will not take hold again. 

Mold spores are all around us, all the time, after all, and mold will quickly begin to grow again if care is not taken to ensure that the humidity levels remain between 30 and 50 percent and there are no leaks. In addition, if the mold infestation caused structural damage, that will have to be fixed — a process that can take a very long time. 

You are additionally advised to have a post-remediation inspection carried out to ensure that the mold is truly gone. Our experts here at Zona Restoration are ready to lend a hand!