Mold Removal Charlotte, North Carolina
Looking for an experienced mold removal company in Charlotte? You have come to the right place! Fresh Air Technologies has been solving Charlotte Area mold and moisture related problems for over twenty-one years! Our team has the skills and knowledge to solve all of the moisture related problems property owners face. We handle issues found in crawl spaces, basements, interiors, attics & HVAC systems. commercial & industrial mold projects as well!
Call Fresh Air Technologies today for professional mold remediation services in Charlotte. Do you have a mold or moisture related question we can answer? Give us a call at 704-270-2721. Always Free Estimates!
Charlotte, North Carolina Crawl Space Mold Removal
Mold is where you find it! Usually In basements and crawl spaces thanks to Charlotte, North Carolina’s hot and humid environment. The Queen City is the most populous city in the entire state and has many notable attractions. The Carolina Panthers from the NFL and the Charlotte Hornets from the NBA are based in Charlotte. The NASCAR All-Star Race and the U.S. National Whitewater Center also call Charlotte, home
Fresh Air’s Crawl Space Mold Remediation Service:
Crawl Spaces Can Be Damp, Dark and Scary!…But Not To Us! If your home is on a crawl space, your chances of having a moisture related issue increase over time. Common causes of high humidity in the crawl space include failed waterproofing, leaky plumbing, and blocked airflow through vents.
Remember, mold is the direct result of long term moisture. The key to any successful remediation project includes a plan to reduce crawl space humidity levels. By stopping leaks and drying the air, you to create an environment where it is difficult for the mold to grow. Removing the mold is the easy part. Making sure the underlying moisture problem is addressed is essential to solving crawl space mold problems.
Need help with a crawl space mold and moisture related problem? We can help! Contact us today ! Always free estimates! Charlotte’s mold removal experts!
How to Remove Mold from Wood
Structural wood is a common surface that is remediated. Mold can be cleaned from wood as long as the structural integrity has not been compromised. Severely moisture damaged wood should be replaced.
Personal Protective Equipment
The first step in any mold cleaning process is to wear the right protection. In this case, Tyvek suits, N95 masks, nitrile gloves and other protective gear should be worn during mold abatement.
Contain the Work Area
A plastic contained work area for large projects are a must.
Utilize source removal practices when remediating mold from wood. This means the physical removal of mold from the surface. Spraying with a hydrogen peroxide solution only is not source removal.
Anti-microbial detergent mixed with clean water is used to scrub the wood surface. The process continues until all visible mold is gone and the majority of mold staining is removed.
Mold can grow into wood up to a quarter inch. This could stain the wood to that depth. Cleaners with lighteners are used to whiten stains. Sanding the heavy stained wood is necessary to disrupt the root system of the mold to help retard future growth. Lastly, the wood should be dried completely before applying an anti-microbial encapsulant to the wood.
Mold Staining
Mold growing long term on wood has a high probably of staining. The staining can penetrate wood deeply leaving frustrated remediators and property owners alike. The fact is that some mold staining will remain. Just because the wood is stained, doesn’t mean the mold will grow back.
Once the moisture problem that originally caused the mold is fixed, the mold stains themselves have a very low chance of regrowth. You have a couple options here to help remove the stain.
1.) If the mold stain doesn’t run deep into the wood, you can most likely use sand paper to remove the stain. In some instances your best option, 2.) will be to apply encapsulant on the stained aestain the wood.
What Causes Mold in to Grow in Crawl Spaces and Basements?
1. Foundation Cracks and Unsealed Utility Penetrations:
These are bad because they allow water directly into basements and crawl spaces. Standing waterAfter a few decades, a home’s concrete foundation will age and eventually crack. This allows for water penetration into the home. Once this occurs, the germination of mold will start.
The Fix: A crack in foundation is a serious problem. The Fresh Air Technologies team will expose the crack by opening up the walls if necessary and having it sealed and filled.
2. Humidity and Condensation
One of the leading causes of black mold growth is humidity and condensation within homes. Basements and crawlspaces often have cold walls, especially in the winter. The combination of the cold wall and the heated indoor air can result in condensation and eventual mold growth. Similar to a cold glass of water in the summer, condensation will start forming on the warmer and dryer sides.
The Fix: This type of mold happens primarily on exposed or painted concrete walls. This doesn’t require any demo of drywall – which saves a lot of time and money. Two cleaning agents will be used here, the first being a mold killing solution like Concrobium Mold Control. The second is a cleaner designed to remove any stains the mold caused. Clorox Cleanup works great for this.
3. Crawl Space and Basement Flooding
The leading cause of flooded basements is sump pump failure, which is something you might have encountered yourself a few times. Sump pump failure and flooding can happen when an old pump stops working or when a power outage occurs during a storm. In any case, a malfunctioning sump pump can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. Furthermore, if the repair is not made right away, remaining water enters walls and other hard-to-reach areas. This can lead to mold growth and water damage.
The Fix: Contact a professional water damage company within 24 hours of the initial flooding. Your water damage experts will be able to rapidly dry the space before any mold can grow. Any longer than 24 hours, and you are most likely looking at wet drywall. This fix requires cutting out a lot of drywall and a timely rebuilding process.
4. Poor Vapor Barriers/Dirt Soil
Mold issues in crahigh humidity and moisture. The soil from the earth already provides the moisture. Consequently, homes with a dirt floor or poor vapor barriers are ripe spaces for mold growth and poor indoor air quality.
The Fix: Eliminating mold in a crawlspace doesn’t require any demolition, but is, however, still very tedious. It requires detailed HEPA vacuuming, spraying, and scrubbing wood in a very tight place. This may also lead to more work like encapsulating the crawl space, installing a sump pump, or insulating the inner walls.
Definition Of Mold Remediation
What is mold remediation? Mold remediation is the process of removing, cleaning, sanitizing mold affected building materials. Clear plastic containments are constructed around the work area to control spore migration. The air is kept safe for both workers and occupants using HEPA rated air scrubbers and other environmental controls. Sanitizers, anti-microbial solutions & mold encapsulates are used to safely clean moldy areas.
Mold Remediation Steps
- Careful containment of the area to prevent spreading
- Proper purifying of air and removal of all mold spores
- Precise removal of impacted areas
- Thorough vacuuming of contaminated areas with a commercial-grade vacuum equipped with a hepa filter.
- Scrub mold with anti-microbial detergent and water solution
- Apply an anti-microbial encapsulant to the affected area to prevent mold regrowth
- Final HEPA vacuum, remove containment and cleanup work area
*Please note: The average operation time for mold remediation is 8 hours from start to finish
Mold Cleaning Products
Sanitizers, Anti-Microbials and Encapsulates
These products are used after the physical mold is removed from the substrate. Sanitizers and anti-microbial solutions work to kill residual mold spores and to eliminate hyphae. Hyphae is the part of mold that grows into wood penetrating up to 1/4-inch. These Hyphae , absorb nutrients and allows the mold to grow and reproduce.
Some homemade remedies include combinations of water, detergent, bleach, borax, ammonia, anti-microbial, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and vinegar. Most importantly, be careful when using these products as their original purpose wasn’t for cleaning mold. Use with caution as they can easily ruin your wood, carpet, and flooring if applied haphazardly.
There is no doubt that black mold can be dangerous to those exposed. For safer and cleaner results, you can turn to Fresh Air Technologies and the expertise they provide. If you have a situation where black mold is present, be sure to give our experts a call at 704-270-2721.
Cost of Mold Removal in Charlotte
Mold can come in many different colors and sizes. Furthermore, it has the ability to grow almost anywhere in your home. This includes particularly moist areas of your kitchen, bathroom, basement, or crawl space. All of these factors play a big role in the average cost of mold removal.
The average cost of mold remediation is $2,325, with most homeowners spending between $1,500-$3,150 or $15 to $31 per square foot. To help lessen the cost of mold removal, at the first sign of mold, be sure to give a technician a call.
- Minimum Cost: $500
- National Average Cost: $2,325
- Average Range: $1,500 to $3,150
In some cases, mold removal costs can skyrocket to tens of thousands of dollars if the mold has spread and the problem is severe. Mold mitigation costs vary depending on how much is present and where the mold exists.
Allowing mold problems to to linger is never a good idea. Mold is a living organism that has a will to live, adapt and survive. It will continue to grow as long as it has a source of moisture, oxygen and food supply. Subsequently, damaged drywall, lumber, sub-flooring, and siding are the most common.
Mold FAQs
You may find mold in your ceiling tiles, dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, upholstery, and wood. It grows well in parts of your home with a lot of moisture. This includes leaks from your roof, windows, or pipes. Mold can grow almost anywhere in your home. Damp, unconditioned areas like basements, crawl spaces and attics are favorite places for mold to grow.
No, Mold is ubiquitous. On any given day, the outside air can contain large amounts of airborne mold spores. Outside air is the main source of the air inside your home or building. It makes sense that interior airborne mold levels inside fluctuates with the outdoor levels. Environmental professionals usually collect an outside air sample when conducting post remediation verification testing (PRV). PRV or “Clearance” testing involves many factors. Air testing is usually a part of the clearance criteria. To pass clearance testing we compare outside air samples to inside air samples. In short, the spore counts inside of the containment should be lower than the samples collected outside to pass.
Mold is an allergen. It is such a concern that Allergy & Asthma Centers trace the airborne spore counts to keep the public aware of hazardous days. The potential health risks and symptoms related to mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and respiratory issues. Even if you are non-allergic, exposure to mold can cause itchy eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. For those who have existing asthma, lung conditions, or allergies, the presence of mold buildup will cause symptoms to worsen.
Mold may permeate your home via open doorways, windows, heating and air conditioning systems, and vents. Airborne mold outside lands on your clothing, shoes, and pets and carried inside. Areas of the home or business that experience high humidity or flooding are high risk for mold growth.
About Fresh Air Technologies…
If you are looking for a stellar Charlotte mold removal service, the folks at Fresh Air Technologies certainly fit the bill. Call us today for your free estimate! Our expert team is eager to help you solve any mold and moisture issues you encounter.
Fresh Air Technologies has been helping Charlotte area homeowners solve their Charlotte mold removal issues for over 20 years. Jay Lanzy, Principal Owner of FATech, was an Environmental Geologist with over 20 years of environmental consulting experience. Careful planning goes into every mold removal project with written protocols prepared for every job. The health and safety of the homes’ occupants are of utmost importance to us. For top-notch mold removal services in Charlotte, contact our team today. Call us at 704-270-2721.
Plumbers In Or Near Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte Plumbing
Willmann Plumbing Company Inc.
Queen City Plumbing
Restaurants In Or Near Charlotte, North Carolina
Alexander Michael’s
The Cellar at Duckworth’s
The Capital Grille
Hotels In Or Near Charlotte, North Carolina
Omni Charlotte Hotel
Hilton Charlotte Center City
Charlotte Marriott City Center
