The Right Approach to Removing Mold Under Floorboards

Old house or new, mold can develop practically anywhere, as long as the conditions are right. It’s not uncommon, for example, for mold to grow under vinyl flooring or under wooden floorboards. Mold can be tricky – it can actually “hide” in its early stages of development, and can go unnoticed for quite some time. But once discovered, it must be completely removed, and removing mold under floorboards must be done right the first time, in order to avoid any chance of recurrence.

Mold is often discovered under floorboards but don’t fret!

With mold, early detection is advantageous, and discovering mold in the early stages can make remediation much easier. But when mold is discovered under flooring or under floorboards, there may be additional damage to deal with. When removing mold under floorboards there may be no other way but to completely remove the wood. In short, floorboards infested with mold may have no other option than to be removed, disposed, and replaced (which could be costly).

Removing mold under floorboards, but not replacing the wood itself, may allow residual mold to spread to other parts of the home. And while mold infestation can often be prolonged over time, the potential for structural damage can be huge. Beyond the damage, there may also be health risks - sometimes minor, but sometimes more serious. Mold-related health issues could include respiratory problems, sinus troubles, and allergic reactions. Hence, removal is always essential.

Mold growth is a result of water damage, moisture & condensation

Whether in the ceiling or under the floorboards, mold growth is a result of several factors - a slow water leak, a broken water pipe, or high levels of indoor condensation. Quite often, a very slow leak from a sink or toilet can go unnoticed for quite a long time. Eventually, mold will develop and the infestation will spread, particularly under the vinyl flooring or hardwood flooring. This is where removing mold under floorboards would be essential in providing a thorough cleanup.

An indoor flood, when not properly remediated, can cause mold to grow quite quickly. In the event of a flood, professional remediation is highly recommended – not only for the purpose of cleanup, but also to ensure that no mold will develop down the line. Anything short of a proper, comprehensive cleanup has the potential for mold to re-grow and re-infest. Without properly removing mold under floorboards there will certainly be resurgence of mold, and with damage.

Removing mold from your floorboards should be left to the professionals

Initially checking for mold may be okay for the average homeowner, but anything in depth should be left to professionals. Floor coverings are obviously the easy part to check, but checking under the floorboards could get more difficult. There may well be some structural work to do, and this is best left to experts who know how to handle mold under these conditions. The DIY approach might save some money, but the risks aren’t worthwhile, and in the end an expert is required.

When it comes to mold infiltration, Matrix Remediation provides much more than just a quick fix. Wherever it occurs, mold must be completely eliminated so that recurrence is prevented. Doing it properly the first time makes the investment worthwhile for the long term. In the Calgary area, and in adjacent communities, homeowners can contact Matrix at 1-888-885-8683 or visit the company website at www.matrixremediation.com