Should I move out or stay at home during mold remediation? Is it safe to live in a house after mold remediation?
Here you have your answers.
Mold remediation procedures are necessary when it’s found to be present. It’s a well-known fact that these microscopic organisms pose a health risk when humans are exposed to them.
However, a lot of questions have been asked about the extent of the danger posed by being exposed to mold.
Residing In A Home During Mold Remediation
During mold remediation, a lot of spores are released. These are microscopic organisms that float in the air and can easily be inhaled.
Allergic symptoms caused by these spores range from fatigue, watery eyes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, itching, coughing, runny nose, and headache just to mention a few.
Having called a licensed mold technician to handle your issues, safety questions arise. Here, you want to know how safe it is to remain within the building or affected area while treatment goes on.
Should I Move Out During Mold Remediation
First off, the easiest way to find out is by asking your technician.
A trained and licensed mold remediation contractor will inform you of the risks or otherwise of staying around. It’s always best to ask the pros when they come around.
There are treatment scenarios that could determine the safety of being around during mold remediation.
Determining whether or not to move out depends on the level of technology being used, what your remediation contractor advises, as well as the extent of mold spread.
Discussing your needs with a contractor helps determine what treatment approach to adopt.
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Level of Remediation Technology in Use
As mold remediation techniques evolve, they bring about more convenience to the homeowner in addition to enhanced or better control.
Some types of treatment use a variety of tools such as air scrubbers and negative air machines which contain the spread of mold spores.
With these in use, it’s unlikely for homeowners to be exposed to significant risks. In addition to the tools mentioned, affected areas of your home are isolated and cordoned off with plastic sheeting as well as duct tape.
When properly put in place, the likelihood of spores escaping the area is pretty slim.
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Expert Advice from your Contractor
As stated earlier, the best advice on what steps to take will come from a remediation contractor.
You must patronize only licensed and experienced contractors as these professionals best understand the full implications and risks posed by human presence during treatment.
Based on the mold remediation technique to be used, these pros will advise you on what’s best for your household.
Sometimes, mold treatment strategies may be changed to make the area safer for homeowners to be around during treatment. You’ll need to ask the expert first to know what applies to your situation.
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The extent of Mold Spread
Mold growth in homes can be considered mild or very advanced or severe.
Understanding the extent of the situation will determine whether it’s best to move out or not. With mild mold growth, remediation efforts are unlikely to require moving out of your home during treatment.
This is most common when only a section of the home (such as the attic or basement) is affected. While this is true, you’re unlikely to have a thorough knowledge of the extent of the problem yourself.
You’ll still need a professional to determine the extent of spread and the best course of action.
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Discussing your Needs with a Contractor
The needs of every homeowner are unique. Some homeowners may be unable to move out of their property for a few days due to several reasons.
If you fall into this category, then informing your mold remediation contractor of a possible solution will be the best approach.
Some mold remediation contractors might still insist on you moving out of the house for the duration of treatment.
In other cases, contractors may work out something that serves your needs. In a nutshell, not every mold remediation job is the same. Some pose greater health risks of being around than others.
Consult a Health Expert
Although mold remediation projects are best performed by seasoned contractors, it’s never enough to depend on their advice. This is because there may be sensitivity issues regarding mold exposure.
So, before the project begins, consider asking medical professionals as well about the risks posed.
This is especially true for situations where histories of allergies and sensitivity have been established. The medical condition of your family members plays a huge role in determining whether or not it’s safe to be around when mold remediation is being performed.
The likely exception to being around a mold remediation project is when there are adequate containment measures such as the use of negative air machines which suck up the spores flying around the area.
It’s necessary to take all the precautionary steps and advice given by a health expert to keep you and your family safe.
Move Out if You Can
Comprehensive mold remediation procedures are likely to take a few days to complete.
Sometimes, the precautionary measures put in place may not be enough. Plus, situations, where there are sensitivity issues or allergies, may increase the likelihood of health problems resulting.
To avoid all of that, it’s best to simply move out of the home for the duration of treatment. This helps you avoid any health risks you may be exposed to.
You’ll need to make the arrangements beforehand to allow smooth treatment. Of course, this will require working with your contractor for the proper timing of the project.
Remediation Methods Used May Require Moving Out
Sometimes even proper containment of mold spores using negative air machines may not be enough to guarantee your safety during treatment. Certain products contain ingredients considered potential allergens.
Such ingredients may include peracetic acid, acetic acid, or hydrogen peroxide.
Exposure to any of these may result in allergic reactions. So, it’s important to find out what mold remediation methods and products to be used to understand your level of safety.
Your Safety Comes First
Before you deliberate on moving out of your home or not, it’s important to understand that your safety comes first. This is the most important thing to consider before anything else.
So, your decisions should largely be influenced by this fact.
By now, you should be able to figure out whether or not to move out of your home during mold remediation projects. The points mentioned above should enable you to rationalize properly.