Mold is a notorious and sneaky issue that can plague homeowners, and they don't even know how pervasive it is. At Holmes Run Parkway, Alexandria, VA, FDP Mold Remediation was contacted to respond to a severe mold problem in May 2024. The homeowner had been smelling something strange and had also seen some mold on the walls in the living room and kitchen, which had begun to extend. For a duration of nine days, starting from May 13 to May 22, our team was able to properly fix the mold problem and make sure that the house was safe and mold-free by the end of the project.
To begin with, let's define the basics of the Alexandria job and where mold can typically be found growing in houses. Mold can appear in various places, but the following areas are particularly susceptible:
Basements: Dark, damp, and usually poorly ventilated basements are the perfect breeding ground for mold.
Bathrooms: Mold is often found in the shower, around the sink, and on shower walls since these areas are usually wet.
Kitchens: Mold always exists in the corners, behind the sink, and under appliances because kitchens are often exposed to water and steam from cooking.
Attics: Lack of proper ventilation in the attic results in moisture accumulation, which in turn leads to the growth of mold on the insulation, beams, and walls.
Crawl spaces: Crawl spaces that are dark and damp are also another area where mold can be found.
Living rooms and dining areas: In this Alexandria job, mold was found on the walls and air ducts, which shows how easily it can grow in common areas.
Air ducts and HVAC systems: Mold can grow in the ducts and then release spores that can circulate throughout your home and affect the air.
Each mold removal project is unique, and this one in Alexandria was no different. Given the widespread nature of the mold and the many areas it had colonized, this was quite a challenge.
The client had already seen mold in the kitchen, and a visual assessment showed that the living room and air ducts were also infected. Mold is unbounded and can spread from one room to another through walls, vents, and even the air conditioning system. In this case, the mold spores had passed through the walls between the kitchen and the living room and through the air ducts. This raised concerns because mold that is circulating in the air ducts can spread throughout the house and have adverse effects on health.
Another problem was the negative pressure that had to be created to prevent the mold from spreading during the removal process. Due to the layout of the house, where the living room and the kitchen are in one space, it was crucial to ensure that the containment areas were to prevent the spread of mold spores to other areas of the home during the cleaning process.
Mold remediation is a delicate process that requires a lot of care and knowledge. The following is a step-by-step procedure we at FDP Mold Remediation used to remove mold from this Alexandria house and make the customer comfortable.
We started by doing a visual assessment of the home, paying particular attention to the kitchen and living room since the homeowner noticed mold there. Our team also did an indoor air quality assessment to determine the density of mold spores in the air. This helped us understand how much of a problem it was and where best to direct our attention.
The next step was to contain the affected areas within the two main parts of the house: the kitchen and the living room. Mold containment barriers stop mold spores from spreading into other areas of the home, and negative pressure systems ensure that the spores are pulled out of the house and not circulated within it. This was important in ensuring that the environment was safe during the mitigation process.
To clean the air, we placed two HEPA air scrubbers in the kitchen and living room for three days. These machines filter the air and capture mold spores in the air, which are filtered several times in an hour. Air scrubbers were very useful in enhancing the air quality within the premises and in containing spores during the restoration exercise.
Once the containment was in place and the air scrubbers had been started, we proceeded to the actual removal of the mold. We cleaned both the kitchen and the living room, including dusting and sweeping with a HEPA filter and cleaning all the surfaces with antimicrobial solutions. In order to get rid of any remaining microbes, we also used antimicrobial fogging in the living room.
Mold spores can also exist in the air ducts, which is why the entire home's ventilation system has to be addressed. We vacuumed the air ducts, all returns, and the main furnace using HEPA negative pressure cleaning. This not only wiped out any mold spores that were previously present but also prevented them from growing back.
By May 22, 2024, the Holmes Run Parkway home had no more mold. All the areas, including the kitchen, living room, and air ducts, had been thoroughly cleaned, and the air quality was improved. This is because we had containment systems in place and also made sure to clean the entire house thoroughly to ensure that the mold did not spread.
The clients were happy to get their house back and felt assured that the mold had been eradicated at the root and no measures had been left out to ensure it did not grow again. They were most grateful for the air duct cleaning since it not only solved the mold problem but also enhanced the quality of air in the house, which is beneficial to their health in the future.
Mold is a silent intruder, but that doesn't mean it has to be a long-term resident. The project we did in Holmes Run Parkway, Alexandria, VA 22304, is a perfect example of why mold removal is not a do-it-yourself project. Mold can be in your kitchen, behind the walls, or even in the air duct system, and it poses risks to your home and your family.
It is important not to delay if you think there might be mold in your home. At FDP Mold Remediation, we have the knowledge and tools to address all mold issues, whether large or small. We are here to offer you a detailed visual assessment, check the air quality, and design customized solutions to suit your requirements.
Call us now for mold removal services in Alexandria, VA. Your home should be a safe, healthy place, and we can assist you in maintaining it.
Mold in living room and kitchen. The project involved:
