Tori Spelling of Beverly Hills 90210 fame recently took to Instagram to warn people about the dangers of mold infestation at home. In her video post, she showed her four kids at an urgent care clinic after months of experiencing fevers, rashes, and dizziness. A later inspection by a mold inspection service reported ‘extreme mold’ in their home in California.
The Spelling residence is by no means an outlier. Although exact numbers are hard to come by, multiple studies suggest mold growth exists in 47% of residential buildings across the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that inhaling mold spores can trigger adverse health conditions, even worse for people with allergies or asthma.
The good news is that mold infestations can be dealt with, even long before they worsen. The bad news is that, depending on the extent of the infestation, you may have to move to another home for a while. How long? That’s what this article will find out.
A Four-Step (But Lengthy) Process
If the growth has only begun, you can seize the initiative by scrubbing it off the surface with a soap or bleach solution. For the latter, the CDC recommends a ratio of one cup of household bleach per one gallon of water.
But if you’ve been feeling ill for months for no apparent reason, scrubbing will be impractical. At that point, the mold colony may have grown substantial enough to release many spores at a time. Pinpointing ground zero of the growth will require getting into literal nooks and crannies, which can be dangerous without the proper gear.
Such situations call for removing huge swathes of mold in the shortest possible time, a job for pros. Comprehensive mold removal solutions for Hollywood residents and those in other areas typically follow a four-step process.
- Containment
The first step entails preventing the mold from extending further into untouched areas of the house and minimizing the risk to remediation workers. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the workers can employ either limited or full containment.
Limited containment is for mold infestations covering 10 to 100 square feet and uses a single layer of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting to enclose the work area. Meanwhile, full containment is for growths of over 100 square feet and requires two layers of polyethylene sheeting and a decontamination zone between the work area and the outside environment.
- Dehumidification
Because mold thrives in moist environments, removing moisture from the contaminated area is crucial. Contrary to popular belief, the home dehumidifiers sold at appliance stores aren’t powerful enough for the task. Their average moisture removal rate is between 30 and 70 pints of water per day (PPD).
By comparison, industrial-grade dehumidifiers that mold remediation services use remove upwards of 280 PPD. They’re also rugged enough to keep operating for most of the day. However, their four-figure price tag puts these devices beyond most households’ budgets.
- Disinfection
Removing moisture prevents the mold from propagating any further. All that’s left is to remove the actual mold. The EPA advises any or a combination of four methods—wet vacuum, damp wipes, HEPA vacuum, and removal of infested material—depending on the material inundated with mold (e.g., paper, wood, drywall).
- Restoration
Once the last of the mold has been removed, restoration workers have a small window to locate and deal with the root of the infestation. The cause can be as simple as a leaky pipe that has gone unattended for too long. Restoration work can be extensive, from replacing damaged drywall to repairing the leaky pipe.
Prioritizing early intervention and swift action in mold remediation can prevent extensive damage and safeguard your health.
How Long Does It Take?
There’s no universal number for how long mold remediation will take. Most pros will tell you that minor mold infestations can be dealt with in 48 hours, while major ones can take several days or weeks. They can’t afford to rush this, as mold is notorious for exploding in size from a small patch on some tucked-away corner.
Sadly, in most cases, professionals get calls for mold remediation as soon as the mold has grown out of control. Calling a mold remediation service at the slightest sign of mold is important. The sooner the infestation is addressed, the shorter the remediation process.
Even handpicking a reputable service can be a race against time. Don’t hesitate to ask them hard questions, as their service comes at a premium, and you’d want every penny spent to be worth it. These questions include but aren’t limited to:
- Do the workers wear protective gear while working?
- Does the firm have an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification?
- How long has the firm been in the mold remediation business?
- Does the firm practice the containment measures stated earlier?
- Will the firm provide a written contract?
Choosing a reputable mold remediation service and asking critical questions ensures a worthwhile investment in protecting your home and loved ones from the dangers of mold.
Conclusion
Mold is good at biding its time in an inconspicuous corner. Once it grows large enough to wreak havoc, your best bet will be professional mold remediation, lasting a few days or several weeks, depending on the severity. But being away from a mold-infested home for this long is a small price to pay to ensure its inhabitants don’t break the bank with constant medical treatment.
