After an inspection has taken place and lab results have confirmed that there is mold present in the environment, removal is necessary. Please read the article “Mold and Health Concerns” to find out more about how exposure to various strains of mold may affect your health.

When choosing a mold remediation professional, you must be able to trust that he/she truly cares about you and everyone who may have potentially been exposed to toxic mold and will, therefore, be highly knowledgeable, diligent and professional when it comes to removing it.

Mold spores are extremely tiny and lightweight and travel easily through the air.  If proper precautions and containment are not adhered to responsibly, the mold spores will find their way into clean areas and start a new cycle of growth.

Please read the following articles to learn more about mold:

In order to ensure proper remediation of mold, Big Apple Mold Removal has developed the following general plan of action based on PMII and EPA guidelines.  Please note that variations exist due to individual cases.

Step 1: Control moisture problem.  The source of the water must be identified and corrected.  If you had a visual inspection using thermal imaging, this has already been done.

Step 2: All wet materials (including carpets and upholstery) must be dried completely.  Water extraction may be necessary.  Occasionally, some types of materials like wood, drywall, carpeting and other porous material may have to be discarded.

Step 3: Removal of all items including furniture from the infected area prior to setting up containment is necessary. If items are moved from one room to another they must be HEPA vacuumed and cleansed with mold inhibiting chemicals. Extreme situations may require that all items/furniture in the infected area be cleaned under negative air pressure before anything can be moved.

Step 4: Contaminated area must be sealed off from the rest of the property with polyethylene sheeting so that the mold cannot spread to the clean areas.

Step 5: Mold growth on surfaces is sanded and cleaned.  Again, if the growth is excessive, the entire area may have to be removed and discarded appropriately.

Step 6: Contained area must be completely dried, filtered, and fumigated.  Air filtration using Hepa Vacuums and air scrubbers will be used to clean mold spores out of the air and dehumidifiers will be set up to dry everything out.   When everything is cleaned and dried, new materials (if necessary) will be installed and then the area will be completely fumigated and deodorized.

Please note: all occupants of premises must evacuate during the remediation process.  Depending on the extent of the mold and moisture damage, the amount of time remediation takes varies.