Guide to Mold Remediation

Mold remediation in Atlanta is necessary when you’ve inadvertently created an environment that promotes mold growth. “Mold is created when the right temperature and humidity come together,” says Rob Lewis, director of Operations for Goodbye Water, LLC, an Atlanta area specialist in water removal, water damage repair, water damage restoration, and mold removal. When there is wetness on sheet rock, for example, it becomes a food source for mold. At that point, Atlanta mold remediation becomes the game plan and the sheet rock must be dried out or removed. Professionals, such as Goodbye Water, LLC, can help you decide what strategy for Atlanta mold remediation would be best for your home. Here is what Lewis says you need to know about mold remediation in Atlanta:

Consider your options.

Mold remediation can take on different forms, depending on the unique growth in your home. In some cases, you’ll have to remove the dry wall, sand down or wire brush the wood framing, and then you’ll be fine to replace the dry wall. In other cases, you will have to encapsulate the mold after removing the wet materials and remediating the framing members. For example, says Lewis, you should encapsulate the floor joists in a crawlspace if that area stays wet. “We use MaxProtect, a mold-proof product that eliminates the framing members of the floor from becoming a food source for the mold,” says Lewis. “The point is to eliminate the mold and prevent it from reoccurring.”

Consult professionals.

The biggest mistake homeowners make is thinking the mold will go away, treating it with bleach, or handling it on their own. “You will get sick from the secondary spores of mold,” says Lewis. “Bleaching the affected area does not necessarily kill the mold spores and if conditions remain favorable in the affected area, the mold will re-colonize. It can actually make the situation worse.” Sometimes, homeowners think painting over the mold will remedy the situation. But paint can become a food source, along with the dry wall underneath it. “It’s worth the money to consult a professional because you can get sick,” says Lewis, “and it probably won’t stop if you don’t address the problem.”

Hire qualified, knowledgeable contractors.

Consulting professionals is only half the battle. You also need to make sure you hire the right kind of contractors to handle the job. Goodbye Water, LLC, for example, is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). It works in full compliance with EPA guidelines for treating mold and mildew damage. The company’s contractors also have experience in working directly with your insurance company, the Atlanta Apartment Association, the Atlanta Claims Association, and BOMA.