What does mold remediation actually involve?
Mold is a moisture problem first. Remediation that skips the moisture source is a repeat visit waiting to happen. Our process for Tri-Valley homes follows IICRC S520 guidance:
Inspection and moisture source
Moisture meters and thermal imaging locate the water behind the growth: a slow leak, a failed shower pan, condensation, or a past flood that was never dried.
Containment and negative air
Poly barriers and negative air machines with HEPA filtration keep spores from spreading to the rest of the house while work is under way.
Removal of affected materials
Porous materials that cannot be cleaned, such as drywall, insulation, and carpet pad, are bagged and removed. Framing and other structural wood is cleaned and treated.
HEPA cleaning and antimicrobial
HEPA vacuuming and air scrubbing, then antimicrobial treatment of the cleaned surfaces.
Fix the moisture
The leak gets repaired and the area is dried to standard before anything is closed up. This is the step that keeps mold from coming back.
Rebuild
As a licensed contractor, we replace the drywall, insulation, trim, and finishes that were removed. See reconstruction.
Where does mold usually show up in Tri-Valley homes?
- Behind bathroom vanities and under shower pans
- Under kitchen sinks and behind dishwashers and refrigerators
- Inside wall cavities after a supply-line leak that was patched but never dried
- Around windows and sliding doors with failed seals
- Crawl spaces and subfloors with standing water or poor ventilation
- Attics with roof leaks or bathroom fans venting into the attic
Is mold covered by insurance?
Sometimes. When the mold is the result of a sudden, covered water loss such as a burst pipe, remediation is often covered as part of that claim, sometimes with a mold sub-limit. Mold from long-term leaks, humidity, or deferred maintenance is usually excluded. We document the source and the extent so your adjuster can make the call.
Where we provide mold remediation
Mold Remediation is available across the Tri-Valley from our Pleasanton office, with Pleasanton, Livermore, and Dublin as the fastest response zone.