What Is Professional Mould Remediation?

Mould remediation is the process of identifying, containing, and treating mould growth in a building to bring the mould load down and keep it down. It involves a combination of physical cleaning, chemical treatment, and preventive measures. That's where professional mould remediation steps in.

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What does professional mould remediation entail?

Professional mould remediation will typically involve an initial inspection of the property to identify the extent of the mould problem, the type of mould present, and the underlying causes. Based on the findings, a remediation plan will be developed, which may include the following steps:

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• Assessment: A thorough inspection of the property to identify all areas of mould growth and the underlying causes.
• Containment: Setting up containment barriers to prevent the spread of mould spores during the remediation process.
• Mould treatment and removal: Physical cleaning of mould-affected surfaces using appropriate techniques and equipment, followed by thorough treatment to bring down the mould load on treated surfaces and in the air.
• Disposal: Safe disposal of any materials that cannot be cleaned and must be removed.
• Air purification: Use of air purifiers and HEPA vacuums to reduce remaining mould spores in the air.
• Moisture control: Finding the moisture cause and getting condensation under control ourselves - ventilation, extraction, a dehumidifier or at most a PIV unit - and, where there's an active leak or structural source, diagnosing it and referring the repair to the right trade.
• Post-remediation testing: Testing the treated air against the outdoor-air baseline, analysed by an independent accredited laboratory.

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Is professional mould remediation the right choice for you?

Professional mould remediation is recommended if:

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• The mould affected area is larger than 1 square metre
• The mould is a variety associated with mycotoxins, such as Stachybotrys (black mould)
• The mould is in a hard-to-reach area, such as within walls or under flooring
• Someone in the household is more sensitive to damp and mould - the NHS links damp and mould in the home to respiratory problems
• DIY methods have failed to resolve the problem

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How does Pure Maintenance remediate mould?

When Pure Maintenance UK receives a call from a customer, they are first taken through a process of registration and information gathering with one of their customer consultants. The first fog's ability to treat mould comes from its characteristic 'dryness'. This is due to its inability to condense on surfaces, meaning it dwells in the air. Most of a mould problem is hidden in the air and on surfaces. Where the survey finds hidden mould, that material is identified and physically removed or referred on - never fogged over. Once that's done, we begin the next step in the mould remediation process.

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The first part of our treatment is our sterilant, InstaPURE. InstaPURE - a peracetic-acid and hydrogen-peroxide dry fog, applied as a service under a full COSHH assessment using actives authorised at manufacturer level; independently performance-tested by the US Army ERDC. It is the product of our patented dry fog technology that condenses the sterilant to such a small size that the fog cannot condense on surfaces. The fog is forced through the home via positive air pressure. Our technician treats mould on surfaces and in the air, reaching into the folds and recesses of soft furnishings and clothing that a cloth can't, using InstaPURE.

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Pure Maintenance can also recommend and arrange the purchase of air purifiers for the most severe cases. The air purifiers can then be used in the home to help keep airborne particle levels down going forward.

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The second part of our mould remediation treatment is our antimicrobial coating, EverPURE. EverPURE is applied to all surfaces in the treated area. It chemically bonds once cured and is non-leaching - a durable antimicrobial layer that helps resist regrowth. The coating is made up of positively charged nitrogen molecules with carbon atoms stacked on top. Microscopically, it looks like a bed of nails as the carbon atoms create a spike. Any new pathogens introduced to the property following our treatment are electrostatically attracted to the positive charge and the carbon spike pierces the outer membrane, denaturing the microbe. To confirm the treatment has done its job, our technician finishes up by taking an air sample, analysed by an independent accredited laboratory, to check that mould levels in your home are at or below outdoor levels. The report you are left with sets out what was treated and how your air compares to the outdoor baseline.

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What warranty does Pure Maintenance offer?

We treat your home, reset the air to outdoor levels, and give you the results to prove it. Our treatments are backed by a 12-month re-treatment warranty - where the agreed ventilation/humidity plan's been followed and any flagged source repaired - we come back and re-treat free.

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Is my home safe to return to after treatment?

Yes - once it's been ventilated and cleared. InstaPURE breaks down into water, oxygen and trace amounts of acetic acid (white vinegar) after application. EverPURE is a mineral-based solution. Both run under a full COSHH assessment, in line with HSE guidance, and are applied as a service using authorised actives - broken down to vinegar, water and oxygen, aired out, no lasting residue. The concentrate in the drum is hazardous, like any disinfectant's; the aired-out home you walk back into carries no lasting residue - the sterilant breaks down to vinegar, water and oxygen then aired out before you go back in, once any coating's cured. You can re-enter your home on the same day as treatment, following guidance from your technician.

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How long does the treatment take?

The treatment typically takes between 4-8 hours, depending on the size of the property and the extent of the mould problem. Our technicians will give you a more accurate time estimate when they assess your property.

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What is the process after the treatment?

You will be left with a report detailing the mould levels in your home before and after treatment, as well as a 12-month re-treatment warranty. If visible mould comes back - where the agreed ventilation plan has been followed and any flagged source repaired - we come back and re-treat free. Our technician will also advise on any changes you can make to your home or lifestyle to reduce the risk of mould returning.