Why Post-Remediation Testing is Recommended

10/14/2019 (Permalink)

Mold spores are microscopic and when airborne, can help mold spread to unaffected areas of your property and also potentially cause health issues.

Mold is not always visible and is capable of hiding away quietly inside of walls and deep under foundations eating away at the crucial structures of your home. It is also very common that complications related to the health of those who come into contact with mold are reported. Mold remediation, the treatment and/or removal of mold, can be costly but not nearly as costly as a failure to address the issue. The longer mold goes unnoticed and unmitigated, the further it can spread and more damage it can cause. If you discover a potential mold problem, you should absolutely have it tested and addressed. However, remediation efforts should always be followed up with a post-remediation mold test. Here's why.

Leading Up to the Final Test

In order to diagnose a mold issue in the first place, mold inspectors will conduct a visual search but even more importantly, they will collect air quality samples. Mold often forms deep under foundations or behind walls where you can't see it but will permeate the air with mold spores. These spores are microscopic and when airborne, can help the mold to spread to unaffected areas of your property and also potentially cause health issues when breathed in.

Once the samples have been tested and it is determined that you have a mold problem, the inspection company will create a written mold remediation protocol that must be followed in order to properly treat or remove the mold issue. The problem, of course, is that once again you cannot see the mold, which means you will have no idea whether proper protocols were followed or if the mold issue was properly attended to. This is where the post-remediation test comes into play.

Why Do I Need the Post-Remediation Test?

A post-remediation test is sometimes referred to as a clearance test. It is essentially the same test that was conducted to find mold in the first place, only this time there should be no high concentrations of mold spores in the samples taken. If the air samples show the number of spores have been reduced to normal levels or below, the problem has been addressed correctly.

If proper protocols are not followed, however, mold will continue to grow without you being aware of it. A post-remediation clearance test is the only true way to determine if your remediation was successful. Ordering the test allows you to either have the peace of mind of knowing your home is mold-free or have the remediation company revisit the remediation to achieve the necessary results.

SERVPRO of Winter Park

Our franchise performs the remediation portion of the mold process and has certified professional mold technicians. We require a mold protocol before remediation and highly recommend performing a clearance test after. If you believe you have a mold issue and are seeking the help of a highly trained professional, give us a call today at (407) 678-5391.