No one wants to find mould in a home or business. While mould is an important part of any outdoor ecosystem due to its ability to break down and decompose dead plants and trees, found indoors it can cause health problems and damage to surfaces.1
Mould thrives on moisture and dampness, and once a mould spore takes hold it begins to grow and colonize almost immediately. In residential homes, mould is most often found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and basements – or anywhere that is near a damp water source.
Recently, property managers in Fort McMurray discovered mould in the basements of five townhouses. Moisture had built up in the basements due to the main floors being fitted with tarpaulin for added insulation in the winter while having the heat on inside. The warm air trapped indoors produced moisture that created the perfect breeding ground for mould spores to take hold and grow.
Mould has to be cleaned with care so as to not damage the surface materials and to ensure that the mould spores are completely removed. Recognizing the need for expert help, the property managers hired Western Dry Ice Blasting to clean the basements in the townhouses. Western was chosen for the job because of extensive experience and a strong reputation for cleaning commercial and industrial facilities using a highly specialized process.
Dry Ice Blasting is an effective mould remediation solution that works by propelling dry ice pellets at high velocity through specialized equipment. The pellets fragment on impact with the surface and change consistency to that of a vapour (a process known as sublimation), gently removing the substance while leaving behind no secondary waste. The process is completely dry and non-abrasive, meaning it is safe for cleaning delicate areas and materials, and it is non-toxic so completely safe for building occupants.
Western’s technicians followed a thorough process throughout the project. The first step was to fully contain the affected areas so that the mould spores could not escape into the air during the cleaning. Next, HEPA filters were installed, creating negative air that captured the mould particles as they detached from the surfaces. After dry ice blasting, and a thorough HEPA vacuum cleaning, the final step involved applying a microbial paint to the surfaces to further ensure that there wasn’t any remaining mould.
Western’s process was fast and efficient with the entire project being completed in under a week. After the cleaning was done, independent testing was carried out and the testing confirming that the basements were mould-free.
If you have or think you have mould in your property, contact Western Dry Ice Blasting today to find out more about our mould remediation process.
https://www.webmd.com/women/home-health-and-safety-9/mold-mildew