Is the Mold Really Gone? What you can expect after remediation.
One of the most common questions we receive after mold growth is removed from a home is “will it come back?” This question makes a lot of sense- someone likely paid a lot of money to remove the mold from the structure and having it come back is certainly the last thing anyone wants to happen! Often a customer is told that the treated area is ‘good as new’, but what does that actually mean?
Broken ventilation leading to mold growth in the attic
To better understand the situation, we first must understand what causes the mold to occur in the first place. Mold is a natural part of our environment and will grow anywhere that there is a food and moisture source. As it continues to grow, it spreads by releasing spores which once aerosolized, continue to float through the air, carried by wind and air currents until they settle. If they settle on a viable food source with adequate moisture, those spores will colonize and continue to reproduce. There is enough mold in the air at any given time in any given location, that if there is a food and moisture source mold will begin to grow.
So, the question “Will it come back?” is a bit complicated because even if a remediation project is successful, mold will always grow if conditions become suitable, regardless of how well the remediation was performed.
The goal of remediation is removing existing microbial growth and addressing the condition that allowed or caused it to grow. If the mold ‘comes back’, it is because the underlying condition was not addressed or because new environmental factors have allowed new growth to occur.
A good remediation job will address 3 factors well:
Addressing the underlying cause for the growth. This may include fixing leaks or adding ventilation and will ensure that the remediation efforts are not a waste of time.
Removal of the physical microbial structure. This is the source of mold spores that can be aerosolized and be a concern for potential health concerns. Removal methods will depend on affected material and location. Treatment will ideally include some form of stain remover to help alleviate future concerns. Although staining is primarily an aesthetic blemish, it can cause doubt and concerns in future inspections or transactions.
Mitigating liability. Questions regarding how remediation was performed, if it was successful, and if the underlying issues were addressed are all legitimate concerns. A good remediation company will address these concerns through a combination of third-party verification, warranty, and documentation.
A good remediation job will leave no doubts or concerns as to the success of the mold removal. If the project can pass a third-party clearance evaluation, is covered by a warranty, and has documentation of the proper protocols being followed, then there should be absolutely no concern about the treated structure. Often the structure will actually be in better shape than before the mold growth occurred- and knowing that plumbing and ventilation are in good working order will provide peace of mind for the future.
