Mould remediation and removal Adelaide
Expert mould remediation to restore your property’s safety
We provided thorough and professional mould remediation!
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Why mould remediation is critical for your health and property
Mould is a toxic and severe health hazard to have in your home or workplace. Removing and remediating mould contaminations is a serious business that should not be taken lightly. You truly need a mould removal company with years of experience, knowledge, and formal qualifications to remove and remediate the mould within your property effectively.
Mould in your property can have serious health implications
It is vital that your home or work area be restored to a healthy, safe space after being impacted by mould. Mould in your property can be a complex issue, requiring multiple processes to properly remediate it and prevent its return.
Our expert mould remediation Adelaide team
Flood Fixers Adelaide are IICRC Industry Accredited in Advanced mould remediation services and have more than 20 years hands-on mould cleaning experience. Our professional team is at the highest possible standard when it comes to the mould remediation industry. Major Insurance companies have trusted and relied on our vast knowledge, experience and our impeccable remediation services for many years.
20 years of industry experience
Over the course of the past 2 decades, we have provided valuable assistance to countless towns and communities throughout Australia to help recover from major water inundation and severe mould contamination due to catastrophic weather events such as flooding, severe storms and cyclones. It is our driven passion to provide our customers with a safe and healthy living environment free from mould and bacterial contamination within their homes or workspaces.
Mould is a toxic contaminant to have in your home or your workplace!
We create a safe, healthy environment for our customers.
Why choose Flood Fixers for mould remediation and removal
Flood Fixers is Adelaide’s top choice for mould remediation and removal services. Here’s why:
IICRC accredited
We are accredited in advanced mould remediation.
20 years of experience
With two decades of experience, we’ve worked on major mould remediation projects across Australia.
Honest assessments
We provide detailed inspections and honest recommendations.
Indoor air sampling
We are equipped to perform indoor air and surface sampling to confirm mould levels.
Insurance assistance
We can help you navigate the insurance claims process.
Trusted by major insurers
Our services are trusted by leading insurance companies.
Local experts
We are Adelaide-based mould remediation specialists dedicated to delivering the best results.
Our mould remediation and removal process
Flood Fixers follows a rigorous mould remediation process to ensure thorough and lasting results.
Step 1
Inspection
We thoroughly inspect the affected areas; using thermal imaging and advanced moisture detection instruments, we will moisture map all areas to detect any moisture and to determine the exact cause and source of the mould issue. During this process, we will also take some readings with a particle count meter as a guide to determine the severity of the mould contamination. We will use our findings to determine the exact cause of the mould growth and present recommendations and sound advice on correcting the issues and preventing any re-occurrence. From here, we will establish a plan moving forward and provide a scope of work for the required remediation process.
Step 2
Containment
This is where we seal the contaminated area off to prevent the spread of any mould spores during the removal and remediation process. Typically, specialised plastic zip walls are installed and create an effective barrier to keep other areas safe from cross-contamination.
Step 3
Protection
Hepa-filtered air scrubbers are set up to create negative air pressure within the containment area. This will not only prevent mould spores from escaping the containment but also assist with the immediate removal of mould spores from the air, making it a safer environment.
Step 4
Mould removal & cleaning
All water and mould-damaged porous and semi-porous materials such as carpet, underlay and gyprock are removed. Affected areas are then HEPA vacuumed, followed by applying specialised anti-microbial treatments, aggressive scrubbing, and intensive cleaning. The cleaning process is then repeated as required. Fogging and other specialised techniques may be introduced at this stage; however, continued running of the air scrubbers will be the primary source for mechanical removal of the mould spores that remain in the air. Remember, dead mould spores are just as harmful as live mould spores, so it is vital that they are mechanically removed with air scrubbers!
Step 5
Structural drying
Now that the mould has been remediated, we can turn our attention to any structural drying that may be required. In most cases, mould growth has been initiated by increased moisture levels; therefore, we need to rectify this moisture level; otherwise, mould growth will simply return. With the use of dehumidifiers, heaters, and air movers, we can dry out the affected areas and return them to normal moisture levels.
Step 6
Clearance
In some circumstances, we may arrange for a Hygienist to provide indoor air and surface sampling of the areas that we have cleaned to verify that the mould remediation has been successful.
Mould remediation for visible mould
In most, if not all, situations, the mould issue goes far beyond the visible mould that we can see; we need to always look beyond this. For example, if we have a gyprock wall behind a shower with visible mould and high moisture readings, then it is safe to assume the mould is due to a leak from the shower area. In this case, without doubt, the mould would have started inside the wall and is growing at a rapid rate inside the wall cavity. The visible mould on the outside of the wall (the mould that we can see) is just the tip of the iceberg; therefore, wiping and cleaning the visible mould is almost futile as the real mould issue is inside the wall cavity. This can be the case in many situations; therefore, we need to take a more overall approach to achieve a successful mould remediation outcome and to return your property to a safe mould-free and habitable space.
Mould remediation for the mould we can’t see
Mould growth can often begin its life in areas that we can’t see: Inside wall cavities, ceiling spaces, underneath timber sub-floors, underneath cabinetry, etc. These spaces are dark, often slightly damp, and ideal for unabated mould growth. Mould growth in these spaces can be quite excessive as not only are the conditions ideal for mould growth, but it can also grow for a long time before the problem becomes apparent. In these cases where there is trapped mould growth, we often need to remove some building materials to gain access for proper and effective mould remediation.
Mould remediation to safeguard your health
Mould exposure can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and other serious health problems. Flood Fixers’ comprehensive mould remediation services protect your health by removing all traces of mould and ensuring that your property is safe and clean.
Physical mould removal
This is where we can physically remove the visible mould. This may include cutting and removing heavily impacted and mould-affected gyprock sheeting, pulling up and removing mouldy, non-restorable carpet, or HEPA vacuuming and damp wiping mould from non-porous surfaces. Physical removal of mould-affected materials should always be done in a safe manner, with the affected area contained and under negative pressure to ensure that mould spores are not spread to other unaffected areas.
Mechanical removal of mould spores
We can trap and mechanically remove mould spores from the air using specialised HEPA-filtered air scrubbers. We can adjust the air scrubbers and manipulate the contaminated air in such a way as to direct the mould spores into the HEPA-filtered air scrubbers. We can also further dilute the contamination by introducing fresh, clean, filtered air into the contaminated area. This cleaning method removes both viable (alive mould spores) and non-viable (dead mould spores) from the air. This is important as non-viable mould spores can be just as harmful to humans as viable mould spores!
Mould make safe
Sometimes, there are occasions where the mould remediation process cannot be completed in its entirety; this is when a mould make-safe would be done. In cases where the mould is quite severe, walls may need to be removed, parts of the property may need to be stripped out, or the customer may need to go into accommodation due to severe contamination. When major work needs to be done, planning will often be required, and in some cases, the customer may be waiting for authorisation from the insurance company, or there could be budget constraints. A mould make-safe can include installing HEPA filtration, installing containments to seal off the affected areas, HEPA vacuuming and damp wiping, encapsulation treatments, etc.
Indoor air sampling for mould detection
Flood Fixers in Adelaide are experienced and well-equipped to provide our customers with indoor air sampling. This is the only way to give an accurate measure of the level of mould contamination.
Air sampling with a bio pump
Using our specialised bio pump and Air-O-Cell mould cassettes, we can take multiple air samples of mould-contaminated spaces. Mould spores are trapped inside the Air-O-Cell cassettes during sampling. We then send the cassettes off to the lab for analysis. Typically, there is a 7-day turnaround from taking the samples to getting the results. This form of sampling can be quite expensive, but the analysis is comprehensive and accurate.
Air sampling with a particle count meter
Air sampling with a particle count meter is a fast, convenient, and inexpensive way to sample contaminated air. However, this method is not overly accurate and should only be used as a guide. It can also be a handy instrument to monitor the remediation process or as an initial indicator.
Surface sampling to ensure mould removal
After cleaning mould-affected surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and timber wall frames has been completed, surface sampling can be done to confirm whether the cleaning has been successful. The 3 main ways to sample surfaces for mould and bacteria are Tape lifts, Swabs, or ATP.
Tape lifts
Tape lifts are applied to the surface with the sticky side down to remove any contamination from the surface; this is then sent off to the lab for analysis. Results usually take around seven days.
Swabs
Swabs are rubbed over the surface to collect the sample. They are more commonly used for bacterial issues such as E. coli than for mould. Results usually take around seven days.
ATP
ATP works by using swabs and a handheld testing machine. Swabs are rubbed over the surface and then put directly in the handheld machine giving instant results.
What is a PRV – Post Remediation Verification?
PRV stands for post-remediation verification. This relates to testing that is carried out after a mould remediation project has been completed. A qualified and independent Hygienist typically performs this mould testing and will confirm if the mould remediation process has been successful or if further remediation works are required. A PRV can be relatively costly; however, it is the most effective way to determine the mould levels within your property accurately! We would typically only engage a Hygienist to provide a PRV on large mould remediation projects or in severe mould contamination!
Our mould remediation approach
Flood Fixers Adelaide takes an uncompromising approach to mould remediation. We adhere to the IICRC guidelines and deliver outstanding service and mould remediation results to our valued customers.
We provide honest assessments, sound advice, and professional recommendations for resolving our customer’s mould issues. Proper mould remediation can be complex, labour-intensive and sometimes quite costly. Spaying mould with a chlorine-based chemical, fogging the air and then quickly leaving is not mould remediation, and it is not what we are about. We base our service on strictly adhering to the IICRC guidelines and industry-approved processes and ensuring the job is done correctly for our valued customers.
Warning!!
In recent years, more and more “Mould Removal Adelaide companies” seem to have sprouted like mushrooms, claiming to be mould remediation experts! Many are clearly ignoring the IICRC remediation guidelines and providing a quick in-and-out service to make a quick buck.
Many are adding mould remediation as an add-on service to their already existing business. Meanwhile, the customer’s house remains in a contaminated state, and they and their family are still at risk of excessive mould exposure.
Please understand that wiping visible mould with a chlorine-based chemical is not mould remediation and is NOT part of the IICRC guideline. Fogging the air with anti-microbial treatment is NOT in the IICRC guidelines as an acceptable mechanical mould spore removal method. If you have considerable visible mould inside your house or business space, I would question a company offering you a quick same-day in and out-service!
Trust Flood Fixers, Adelaide’s leading mould remediation specialists
With over 20 years of experience and IICRC accreditation, Flood Fixers provides safe, thorough, and effective mould remediation services across Adelaide. We are committed to restoring your property to a clean and healthy condition, free from the dangers of mould.
For professional mould removal in Adelaide please call the team at Flood Fixers today.