Basements typically manifest all the conditions conducive to the growth of mold. Basements can be dark and damp, they may have occasional flooding and the ventilation can be poor.  All these can contribute to a mold growth that can quickly get out of control.  Visible mold on the walls is easily treated, but what about the mold spores you don’t see?  This is where the FreshStart service can be utilized to help ensure the safety of your family by making sure the errant mold spores are “non-viable” and unable to negatively effect your loved ones.  Let’s take a look at the process to identify and remove the mold from your basement.

            The first step in any mold remediation job is to identify the source of the water leak.  Some water proofing companies require that the mold be cleaned and removed prior to their workers being allowed in that environment.  This is an accepted practice, but the time between mold remediation and fixing the basement leak should be minimized to keep the mold from growing back again!  Coordinating between contractors is crucial for this to happen.  After the water source is secured the certified Mold Contractor will then set up containment to keep the mold spores from contaminating the rest of the structure.  Removing the mold infested debris from the basement is the next step.  Once you are down to bare walls or studs, then the contractor will apply a peroxide based solution to kill the mold.  Air scrubbers should be used throughout the process to remove as many of the airborne spores as possible.  After the solution is sprayed and dried then the contractor will use an encapsulate.  Also called mold sealant or mold paint, encapsulation is the process of treating mold with a product that “glues” the mold in place so it cannot release any spores – rendering the mold powerless.  As with all mold issues, the FreshStart process should be used to render any remaining mold spores “non-viable” so your family can get back to a healthy lifestyle and a safe home environment.