Simply put, mould remediation is the process of creating a plan to identify, treat and prevent mould from returning.
In this article, we’ll not only look at what mould remediation is, what it isn’t and how much it’s going to cost.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Mould Remediation – A Definition
Mould remediation is the entire removal process from beginning to end, not just the singular process of ‘removing the mould’.
It involves identifying leaks or moisture issues that may be causing the mould, effectively treating it and creating a prevention plan to help stop it from coming back. This process returns a properties mould count to a natural, safe level.
Effective and immediate mould remediation is necessary to keep mould from causing damage to the structure of the building and to your health.
What Is It Not?
In a nutshell, mould removal and mould abatement are elements of the mould remediation process. While each term may be used interchangeably, they actually refer to the different steps of mould remediation.
Mould Removal
The difference between mould removal and mould remediation is that mould removal is just the process of physically removing mould from a surface, item or premises. And in the case of professional services, it’s airborne spores as well.
Mould Abatement
Mould abatement, on the other hand is the act of slowing or reducing the growth rate of any mould. This can include encapsulation or just rectifying the contributing factors to mould.
Mould abatement does not ‘resolve’ the mould issue.
What’s Involved In Mould Remediation?
The remediation process varies from company to company and is dependent on the mould issue at hand.
However, a professional mould remediation process usually involves the following steps:
Step 1. Property Inspection
The first step in the mould remediation process is a property inspection. During your inspection, a mould removal technician will look to address the cause and extent of mould growth, as well as provide a detailed findings report.
This step ensures you receive the right treatment recommendations and only pay for what you need.
After the inspection is complete you’ll receive a detailed findings report, treatment plan and transparent quote.
Step 2. Physical Mould Removal
Once the property inspection is complete and you’re happy with the quote, the next stage is the actual mould removal. During this process, highly trained technicians will carry out a two part process that involves:
Removing All Visible Mould
This process involves eliminating all visible mould and related odours from your property, including areas like walls, showers, furniture and air conditioners. The removal of mould is done in a safe, professional and effective way without causing damage to your walls, ceilings or paint.
Misting Treatment To Kill Airborne Spores
After removing all visible mould, the next step is the application of an antimicrobial misting treatment. This misting treatment helps eliminate airborne mould spores and odours from your property, leaving it in a mould-neutral state.
Professional mould removal involves not only removing the mould you can see, but also the airborne spores you can’t.
Step 3. Mould Management and Prevention Plan
A reputable mould remediation company won’t just remove the mould, they’ll take care of you after treatment as well.
This could include anything from personalised prevention plans to follow-up treatments, helping ensure the mould issue doesn’t re-occur.
Sometimes Additional Services Are Required
Every mould problem is different and will require a different treatment plan. In some cases, additional services are required for effective mould remediation. These include:
Structural Drying
If your home has been affected by flooding or water damage, structural drying services may be required as part of your mould remediation plan. This process helps stop or prevent mould from taking hold in water damaged properties.
Structural drying services involve technicians coming to your home, installing dehumidifiers, monitoring the drying progress and collecting once your property is dry.
Water Damage Restoration
In more severe cases of flooding, water damage restoration services may be required as part of remediation to get your home back to its pre mould state.
Water damage restoration is the complete process of clean up and mould prevention after flooding. It involves both drying out water damaged property and discarding any items that are beyond repair.
Air Conditioning Cleaning
Air conditioners can create the ideal environment for mould growth, which is why thorough mould remediation will often involve air conditioning cleaning as an additional service.
Failing to remediate mould from your AC unit could mean mould spores blown throughout your freshly cleaned property and the risk of re-infestation.
How Long Does Mould Remediation Take?
While physical mould removal typically only takes a day to complete, the entire process of mould remediation can take weeks from start to finish.
From identifying the cause of mould, effectively treating it and preventing it from returning, every mould remediation timeframe is different.
Therefore, the duration of the mould remediation process is not a black and white answer, depending on several factors such as:
- The type of mould
- Size of infestation
- The severity of damage to your home.
- Surface on which the mould is evident
Is It A Permanent Solution?
The remediation process will clean and remove mould and its spores from your property so it is no longer harmful to the building or its inhabitants.
However, it is important to understand that no treatment permanently removes mould.
If the conditions that caused the mould to colonise in the first place (e.g. plumbing problems or a leaking roof) are not rectified, mould will continue to return not matter how well you remove it.
Addressing the underlying cause of mould growth is the only way to permanently live in a ‘mould-free’ home.
After remediation is complete, a reputable mould removal service will provide you with a mould management and prevention plan. This plan includes steps occupants can follow themselves to help prevent mould growth in the home.
How Much Will Mould Remediation Cost?
Mould remediation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every mould problem is different; therefore the price of mould remediation will largely depend on a variety of factors.
The average cost of mould remediation can range from $500 to upwards of $5,000.
Some reputable mould remediation companies will offer a free inspection and quote before treatment so you know exactly what you’re paying for before the process begins.
Factors That Influence Remediation Costs
The definitive price of mould remediation will largely depend on the following factors:
- Mould type: For small spaces or in isolated areas of the home such as living rooms, bathrooms and kitchens, mould removal can cost anywhere from $500 to a few thousand dollars.
- Location: Hard to reach areas like attics, behind walls or roofs require extra labour, equipment and time to ensure mould is eradicated completely.
- Additional services: As mentioned above, in some cases, specialised equipment like dehumidifiers is required to ensure effective mould remediation. These services will often incur an additional fee – but don’t worry, they should be flagged in the initial quote so you won’t be caught out with an unexpected bill.
The Cost Of Doing Nothing
The price of mould remediation can be confronting for some. So, you might be thinking – what happens if I just do nothing?
Did you know mould grows every 24 hours? So, the longer mould is left to grow and spread throughout your property, the greater the cost of future treatment can become, as well as the risk to your health.
So, if you find mould growing in your property, the best thing you can do is organise a property inspection to know your options. Some companies even offer no obligation, free inspections that cost you nothing, but can often save you thousands in the long run.
Book Your Free Inspection Below
If you’ve found mould or are afraid of it becoming a problem in your home – be sure to call upon a professional team to help you.
The MouldMen team will inspect, treat and provide you with a Mould Management and Prevention Plan to ensure that your home is kept safe and free from mould. Call us on 1300 60 59 60 to book your free inspection today.