Mold Remediation and Personal Belongings

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO to assess your property and belongings damaged with mold.

Have you recently discovered a mold infestation in your basement or attic? Are you concerned about your belongings, and curious if anything is salvageable? While mold cleaning performed by a professional mold remediation company in Salt Lake City, UT, can restore your property, the salvageability of your keepsakes depends on the material and the level of exposure. There are essentially three items that require addressing.

• Porous items
  
• Nonporous items
  
• Sentimental items
  

Porous Items

During mold remediation, the company you hire will likely throw away any porous items. Porous materials have gaps that mold spores root into. Unfortunately, mold roots deeply, which means that it is incredibly challenging to eliminate any remnants of the mold, even after a thorough cleaning. Therefore, the typical industry recommendation is to discard any items that have come into contact with the mold.

Nonporous Items

Nonporous items are different from porous items because there are no deep pores for the spore to root into. Most nonporous surfaces, like metals, glass, plastics and varnished woods, can be saved using standard mold cleaning methods. However, unless you know the species of mold you are dealing with, necessary safety measures, like gloves and the use of a mask, are suggested.

Sentimental Items

While the standards for mold damage removal and the elimination of affected property are pretty stringent, many companies will try to accommodate homeowners when it comes to sentimental items. You can find specialty cleaners who are willing to try to save contaminated porous items, but sometimes cleaning is not possible or recommended. It is best to consult with the remediation company to identify salvageable materials.

Mold cleaning is a job reserved for trained and certified companies. While it can be challenging to let go of certain items affected by mold, it may be necessary. Contact a local mold company to assess your property and belongings and allow them to take on the risks of a cleanup.