Mold Remediation Terms You Should Know

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

Mold is the worst. Not only is it far from visually appealing, but it’s extremely dangerous to be around. When you’re looking for a team to perform mold remediation, you should be up-to-date on the latest mold remediation terms so you know what to look for.

Anywhere at any time, a mold colony can take place. Because these colonies can spread and grow so quickly, to prevent property damage, you must act quickly. It’s best to work with a company that specializes in professional mold remediation, like SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

When you’re working with any company that specializes in mold remediation, it can be confusing to hear them speak in terms common to the profession. To help you better understand what’s going on, we’ve included some of the most commonly used terms as well as brief, simplified definitions.

Spores
Emitted from fungi, spores are reproductive, microscopic structures.

Remediation
The process of a remediation of a site includes assessment, containment, removal, and treatment of the mold.

PPE
Technicians wear this type of gear during the process of remediation, specified by OSHA. The letters stand for Personal Protective Equipment.

Porous
In porous materials, mold spores are easily absorbed and can flow because these materials allow easy air passage. Sponges, wood, rubber, and some rocks are considered porous materials.

Mycotoxin
Designated as toxic to humans and produced by fungi, mycotoxins are specific compounds. The term 'mycotoxin' is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops.

MVOCs
Released into the air as a musty, moldy odor, and produced by mold colonies, these are chemicals. They are referred to as microbial volatile organic compounds.

Moisture Content
This is exactly what it sounds like, it refers to the content of moisture within a material. Before mold growth occurs, a greater moisture content can be sustained by various materials, i.e. wood, textiles, paneling, insulation, etc.

Microbe
Unseeable by the naked eye, a microorganism that is a type of bacteria and fungi can be referred to as a microbe.

HEPA
Used for removing particles greater than .03 micrometers by about 99.97%, this refers to an air filter technically named high efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter.

Fungi
This is a somewhat all-inclusive term. Sub classes include puff balls, yeasts, mushrooms, and molds.

Containment and Containment Barrier
To close off an infestation, seals and barriers are put into place. To control airborne spore movement, filtration devices are used. This is all in an effort of containment.

Colony
Viewable by the naked eye, a surface cluster of mold that has spread is referred to as a colony.

Antimicrobial
To combat mold and fungi, a chemical agent is used. To suppress microorganisms, an antimicrobial agent is used on direct contact.

Air Scrubber
To remove mold particulate matter from the atmosphere, this mold abatement process/device is used. Through a series of filters, air is sucked in using a high-powered fan and filtration device. A HEPA filter included.

Air Sampling
Exactly what it sounds like, samples of the ambient air are taken to test for mold and/or other contaminants.

Abatement
When, on a specific property, any source of mold is removed fully, the process is known as mold abatement.

We hope this helped out and taught you everything you need to know about the mold remediation world. If you need mold remediation done at your home or business, give us a call!

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”