Mold Remediation Drying Stage

Drying Phase: Essential Preparation for Effective Mold Remediation

Importance of Achieving Proper Moisture Content:

• Materials Must Be Dried: All affected materials must be brought to a moisture content (MC) below 15% prior to proceeding with subsequent remediation steps.

• Effectiveness of Remediation: The effectiveness of cleaning and other remediation procedures is contingent upon achieving this low moisture content. Without it, these steps will be significantly compromised.

Challenges Associated with Wet Materials:

• Wet Wood and Sanding/Wire Brushing:

  • Wet wood presents significant challenges for sanding and wire brushing.

  • The moisture causes wood fibers to gum up and tear the sandpaper, rendering these methods ineffective or exceedingly slow.

• Wet Wood and Chemical Treatments:

  • Wet wood impedes the absorption of chemical treatments, including hydrogen peroxide.

  • The presence of water within the wood's pores prevents the hydrogen peroxide from penetrating and reacting with the mold.

  • Essentially, hydrogen peroxide cannot effectively occupy the same pores that are already occupied by water.

Media Blasting and Moisture Content:

• Media Blasting Exception:

  • Media blasting, unlike other remediation methods, appears to be less affected by elevated moisture content.

  • This means that media blasting could be a viable option, even if the wood is not completely dry. However, it is always best practice to dry the materials first.

• Further considerations for drying:

  • The drying phase should be monitored with moisture meters and thermohygrometers.

  • Document all readings, and monitor the progression of the drying just like any drying project.

  • The use of heat can also be used to increase the rate of evaporation, but care should be taken to not damage building materials.

Documentation:

• Atmosphere Reports: Atmosphere readings are to be taken in the same way that readings are taken on typical water damage losses.

• Moisture Content Records: Moisture content readings should be taken of all affected materials till they've reached the established drying goal just like with a normal water loss. 

  • Materials that were removed should be indicated in the drying report.

  • The 15% suggestion above is ONLY for proceeding to sanding or chemical cleaners.

• Final Moisture Content:

• Moisture content of all building materials must be within 2 or 3 percentage points of the dry standard prior to testing. 

• Excessive moisture content detected by the IH will cause the project to flag.