Mold Encapsulation

This is a technique used by some removal companies to stymie the growth of mold and spread of spores. The contractor will coat any remaining mold colonies with glue, essentially preventing the mold colony from releasing any spores into the environment. While this method does work, and is the only viable option in some unique cases, it is by no means a fix-all for mold problems, which is how some contractors use it. If the contractor has properly removed the mold, there will be very little if any encapsulation that needs to be done. If leaking pipes have been fixed and damp building materials have been dried out, there will be almost no encapsulation that needs to be done. If your contractor begins trying to encapsulate huge colonies of mold, instead of removing them, this is a red flag

 

Avoid It: If you do decide to move forward with encapsulation, it should only be under the following circumstances. Firstly, the remediation company should already have put plenty of physical labor into removing the mold colony. This means scraping, sanding, wire brushing, and grinding the mold off of the colony sites. After all of this work, they realize that removing the rest of the mold may be more expensive and labor-intensive than they had originally anticipated, so instead of removing it, they decide to encapsulate it. This is not a legitimate reason to encapsulate the mold.

The only legitimate reason to encapsulate the mold is because survive colonies cannot be accessed without tearing down structures to get to them. Instead, spraying a sealant over the area allows the workers to take care of the colonies without having to do more damage than the remediation is worth. Some contractors will also spray sealant onto areas that they suspect may be susceptible to water damage or may already have a colony of mold growing, to prevent spread.

In some instances, a contractor will spray sealant because he knows that the work he has done is not up to par. Instead of doing the actual work, he will encapsulate entire colonies and then paint over the area, it make it look as though the mold has been removed.

When done properly, for the right reasons, the encapsulation will be clear, and it will not be used to cover entire colonies unless those colonies cannot be reached through normal methods. Be especially wary of contractors who spray a colored sealant and then paint over the sealant with a stain-reducing paint. These two measures will not only not kill the mold living under the paint, but can actually exacerbate the problem, by making a once prominent colony completely invisible. Many kinds of paint actually add moisture to the wall, giving the mold more water to live off of. While these measures may pass a post-remediation clearing test, they will not stand up to serious scrutiny or the test of time.

 

Avoid It: Before the encapsulation begins, as your contractor to show or explain to you what he is about to do. Be sure that he is using a clear sealant and does not plan to paint over the area. If possible, ask him to show you exactly where he plans to put the sealant and to tell you why sealing that area is the best choice, instead of manually attempting to remove it.

Before considering encapsulation, be sure that any dampness or water leakage that has caused the mold problem has been fixed. If the encapsulated again gets wet, another colony will begin to grow. It is also important to note that encapsulation may not be a viable option for buildings where people with weak immune systems and other health issues need to operate. Though it is cheaper than actual removal, it does not work as well and is not permanent.

 

For more information about mold inspections and removal processes, call us today (406) 755-5322.   We pride ourselves on being an authority on all things mold. If you have a question about this topic, do not hesitate to contact us