Call Us
If you’ve got a mold problem brewing in your home, you’re probably wondering, how long does mold remediation take? While the mold remediation process tends to take approximately one week, there are several factors that can impact your timeline.
Mold has a knack for spreading rapidly indoors when introduced to the right conditions. The extent of the spread will undoubtedly have the biggest impact on how long the mold remediation process takes.
What else can impact your mold remediation timeline? What does the mold remediation process consist of?
As leading mold experts in the Crofton area, we’re here to answer these questions and more. Read on to find out how long mold remediation can take.
What Is Mold Remediation?
It’s important to understand the difference between mold removal and mold remediation. Mold removal is the process of destroying mold growth and getting rid of any materials that can’t be cleaned of mold. Mold remediation is much more thorough, which means the process takes longer but the results are more effective.
Assessing the Home
Due to the nature of mold, the first step in the mold remediation process is to assess the state of the home. Mold remediation professionals will determine where the mold has spread as well as the conditions that are allowing mold to thrive in order to create an appropriate plan of action.
Note that there’s no serious need to test for the types of mold growing in your home. Ultimately, serious mold growth will have a negative impact on your home and air quality regardless of type, and mold solutions don’t differ drastically from one species to another.
Preparing for Mold Remediation
After establishing a plan of action, your mold remediation team will prepare your home. This involves tarping off areas that require treatment to prevent the spread of mold spores.
In addition, your mold remediation team will install HEPA filters to begin cleaning your air. They will continue to run these filters for the duration of the mold remediation process.
Mold Removal
Mold removal involves a combination of techniques, including:
- Controlled demolition and item removal
- HEPA vacuuming
- Antimicrobial application
- Fungistatic coating
This portion of the mold removal process takes the longest. Any mold that is left behind could lead to continued spread. Your mold remediation team will be thorough in applying these techniques to remove all mold from the property.
Mold Prevention
One of the biggest factors that will contribute to mold growth in the home is excess humidity. According to the EPA, homes should have humidity levels between 30 and 50%. Serious mold growth indicates that humidity has exceeded 50% in at least one part of your home.
The final step in mold remediation is the installation of dehumidifiers. These often need to go in bathrooms and basements, although this will vary from one property to another.
How Long Does Mold Remediation Take?
As we mentioned earlier, mold remediation tends to take about one week on average. However, this will depend on several factors, including:
- Where mold growth is occurring in the home
- How much mold is in the home
- How much mold has gotten into structural materials
- The amount of work needed to prevent mold from returning
For example, if you have mold growth that is limited to a single bathroom, mold remediation could take as little as two days. However, if mold has spread throughout an entire floor of your home and has gotten into hard-to-reach spaces like insulation, it could take up to two weeks.
The best way to find out how long your mold remediation process will take is to schedule an assessment with a professional mold remediation company so they can get a closer look at what you’re dealing with. Oftentimes, if mold growth has become noticeable to homeowners, it is worse than it seems. Mold is able to seep into porous materials and take root where you can’t see it upon first glance.
How to Prepare for Mold Remediation
Serious mold growth requires expertise and special equipment to remove and partnering with a professional can reduce the amount of hands-on work you have to do. However, there are a few steps you may have to take in preparation for mold removal.
Review Your Insurance
Unfortunately, many homeowners cannot use insurance to cover mold remediation. However, it is worth looking into your policy to find out if you can get all or some of your mold remediation expenses covered.
Typically, insurance covers mold remediation if mold growth is a result of a covered peril. This can include certain natural disasters, burst pipes, and water damage that occurs when extinguishing a fire. That said, you should act fast, or your insurance company may consider mold growth the result of neglect.
Make Necessary Arrangements
Depending on the extent of mold damage in your home, you may need to make arrangements to stay elsewhere during mold remediation. Unless the damage is limited to one room (like a secondary bathroom or the basement), relocating can protect your health.
If your insurance covers mold remediation, they may also cover the cost of staying in a hotel. Mold remediation experts will do their best to act fast to limit your expenses, but thorough remediation is the biggest priority.
Make Post-Demolition Plans
If mold remediation involves significant demolition, you will need to make post-demolition plans, as well. For example, you may need to hire professionals to install new insulation and drywall.
Mold remediation professionals only remove structural materials for two reasons. The first is that it’s impossible to remove the mold from the material. The second is that the cost of mold removal outweighs the cost of replacement.
Call Maryland Mold and Waterproofing for Mold Remediation
How long does mold remediation take? While you can anticipate the process taking about a week, you should contact your local mold experts to get a more accurate estimate.
Maryland Mold and Waterproofing provides professional mold remediation, crawl space repair, foundation repair, and more. If you need mold remediation in the Crofton area, request your free estimate today.
John Rivers is the guiding force behind Maryland Mold and Waterproofing, specializing in comprehensive waterproofing and mold remediation services. With a focus on protecting buildings from the damaging effects of water and mold, John has established the company as a leader in creating safe, dry, and healthy living environments. His commitment to using advanced techniques and materials ensures effective solutions for every project. Maryland Mold and Waterproofing is dedicated to educating clients on the importance of moisture control and mold prevention, offering expert advice and services to address and prevent these issues effectively.