Innovative Strategies for Challenging Mold Removal in Oak Ridge

7/22/2024 (Permalink)

Dealing with mold damage in your home can be quite overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO of Oak Ridge for effective remediation services.

Surface Blasting Minimizes Mold Cleanup Damage

As long as conditions are right, mold can grow and cause damage in any home. Oxygen, moisture, and an organic surface to burrow into and consume for ongoing nourishment complete the short list of requirements for microbial growth. All are present in homes in Tennessee's "Secret City." Although today Oak Ridge is a comfortable suburban enclave, it gained fame in the mid-20th century as the headquarters of the World War II Manhattan Project, which focused on developing atomic weapons. Fortunately, fighting back against mold growth does not require a nuclear option. Advances in targeted abrasive technology improve outcomes, saving even porous structures. 

Highly Effective Resources for Mold Cleanup 

When you need mold removal in Oak Ridge, discover a broader-than-expected range of options by consulting SERVPRO®. Fears that microbial infestation cleanup always requires extensive demolition of building materials disappear when we describe alternatives that retain structures using controlled abrasive blasting. The blasting process uses compressed air or a centrifugal wheel to direct abrasive particles against the surfaces infested and at risk of weakening and destruction by colonies of fungi. Blasting has a clear advantage over hand removal, where surfaces are irregular, recessed, or otherwise hard to reach. The process also saves time, which is essential when responding to rapidly increasing organisms actively damaging materials. Blasting media commonly used include:  

• Sodium Bicarbonate (soda)  

At a microscopic level, soda is soft yet possesses sharp angles, facilitating abrasive action while minimizing damage to underlying surfaces, utility lines, and wiring. It is also water-soluble, making it easy to remove post-blasting debris. 

• Dry Ice 

1/8-inch pellets applied at high speed knock mold organisms off surfaces. When the pellets impact, they explode, and the resulting gas pressure surrounds the mold and forces it to disengage. 

• Walnut Shells 

Crushed walnut shells used in dry air blasting are another way to strip off mold colonies without damaging structures.  

Containment and Debris Collection  

Although media blasting reduces demolition and avoids scraping, brushing, and sanding hours, the SERVPRO mold remediation crews still contain the work area with 1.6 mil polyethylene for everyone's safety and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the project. Negative pressure air configurations help exhaust the airborne residues through HEPA filters. HEPA-filtered vacuum suction settled debris; we damp-wipe surfaces with EPA-registered products and apply EPA-registered antimicrobials to inhibit mold rebound.  

SERVPRO of Loudon & Roane Counties offers innovative and effective professional mold removal services. Call (865) 986-3015 to schedule an assessment and explore the options available to restore microbial damage in your home.