Our Mold Remediation Process
Every ZoneGuard job follows the same six steps: inspect and scope, contain, remove, clean, dry and document. Containment and HEPA air filtration keep spores inside the work area, and drying addresses the moisture that let mold grow. You get a written scope first and photos afterward.
The six steps, in order
Mold remediation is more than wiping mold off a surface. It means controlling the spread, physically removing contamination and fixing the conditions behind it. Here is what happens at each stage.
Inspect and scope
A technician walks the affected rooms with you, looks at where the mold is growing and follows the moisture trail back to its cause: a leak, a roof or window problem, a damp crawl space or basement wall, poor ventilation or humidity that stays too high. Mold needs moisture to grow, so the source matters as much as the visible growth.
We use a moisture meter to find damp materials that are not visible on the surface. Then we write a scope of work that lists the areas, the materials to be removed or cleaned, the containment plan and the drying plan, so you know what will happen before we start.
What we need from you: Show us where you saw or smelled mold, and tell us about any past leaks or water damage.
Contain
Before anything is disturbed, we seal the work area with plastic sheeting and tape so dust and spores cannot drift into the rest of the home. A HEPA-filtered air machine pulls air out of the work area so the room stays under negative pressure, which keeps air moving into the contained space rather than out of it.
Crews wear respiratory protection, gloves and protective clothing, and move materials out through the controlled opening. If the HVAC system could spread contamination, we shut down and isolate the affected supply and return openings during the work.
What we need from you: Plan on staying out of the work area. Move pets and valuables out of the way if you can.
Remove
Porous materials with mold growth, such as drywall, insulation, carpet and padding, are generally cut out and removed because mold can grow into them and cannot be fully cleaned out. Materials are bagged inside the containment area before they leave, which limits the spread of spores through the house.
Our scope of work states which materials come out. Structural wood and other solid materials are usually cleaned rather than replaced when they are sound.
What we need from you: Review the scope with us so you know which materials are being removed and why.
Clean
Remaining surfaces in the work area are HEPA vacuumed and damp wiped, and solid materials such as framing are cleaned to remove mold growth and settled dust. The goal is to physically remove mold, not just treat it, because dead mold can still cause allergic reactions.
Cleaning moves from the cleanest to the dirtiest parts of the work area, and from top to bottom, so debris is not carried back over finished surfaces.
What we need from you: Nothing is needed from you during this step.
Dry
We use dehumidifiers and air movers as needed, then take moisture readings of the remaining materials. We do not close up a wall or floor until the materials are dry, because trapped moisture is how mold comes back.
If the moisture came from an active leak or water damage, that source has to be repaired. We coordinate with your plumber or restoration contractor when it is part of the job, and we tell you plainly if a moisture problem is outside what we do.
What we need from you: Have any plumbing, roof or drainage repairs done or scheduled so the source is fixed.
Document
At the end of the job, you receive notes and photos showing the condition of the area, what was removed and cleaned and the moisture readings we took. That record is useful for your files, your insurer and any independent party you choose to hire.
We perform remediation only and do not do mold testing or assessment. If you want post-remediation clearance sampling, an independent assessor does it, and we prepare the area and share our documentation with them.
What we need from you: Keep the documentation. If you want clearance, hire an independent assessor.
Who does what
- ZoneGuard
- Containment, removal, cleaning, drying and documentation of the mold work.
- Independent assessor
- Mold testing, assessment and post-remediation clearance sampling, if you want it. We perform remediation only.
- Plumber or restoration contractor
- Repairs to the leak or water source, and water-damage drying when it is a separate job.
- Rebuild contractor
- Replacing drywall, flooring and finishes after remediation, unless that is agreed as part of the scope.
Want to understand more before you call? Read how mold remediation works, or see all our mold services and service areas.
Frequently asked questions about our process
What are the steps in the mold remediation process?
Our process has six steps: inspect and scope, contain the work area, remove contaminated materials, clean surfaces, dry the area, and document the work. The sequence is the same on every job.
How long does mold remediation take?
It depends on how much area is affected, what materials are involved and how long drying takes. We give you a timeline in the written scope of work after we see the area.
Do I need to leave my home during mold remediation?
Often not, because the work area is sealed and kept under negative air. Whether you should stay out depends on the size of the job and anyone in the home with health concerns, so ask us when we scope the work.
Do you test for mold?
No. We perform remediation only, and we do not do mold testing or assessment. If you want clearance sampling afterward, an independent assessor does it.
What does negative air mean?
Negative air means a HEPA-filtered machine pulls air out of the sealed work area so the room has slightly lower pressure than the rest of the home. Air then flows into the work area instead of out of it, which helps keep spores from spreading.
Why is drying part of mold remediation?
Mold grows where materials stay damp. Removing mold without drying the area and fixing the moisture source leaves the conditions for it to return.
What do I get at the end of the job?
You receive notes and photos of the work, including what was removed and cleaned, so you have a record for your files, your insurer or an independent assessor.
What if the mold came from water damage?
We coordinate with the restoration or plumbing contractor so the source is repaired and the materials are dried. We tell you plainly if part of the problem is outside what we do.
More questions? Visit the full FAQ.