Mold is a common issue in households today. Not only is it a frustrating issue but can also damage the paint finishes and all. The problem with mold is that it can go undetected sometimes and won’t be visible until the situation worsens. But, if you can catch it on time, there are several ways of fixing it. One of them is to use the dry fogging method. But is it effective? In most of the cases, it isn’t effective. We will discuss dry fogging for removing mold in detail and see how it may or may not work for you, which is why consulting expert mold removal services is vital.
What Exactly Is Dry Fogging?
Dry fogging is the process of spraying an aerosolized mixture of disinfectants on the mold affected area. That spray appears like mist. The purpose of dry fogging is to capture the mold using vapors and prevent it from spreading further.
Although there are many other types of fogging methods to remove mold, we are going to discuss ultra-low volume cold fogging, which happens to be the most common in households. The equipment used for cold fogging is a special item that rotates and sprays the disinfectant over the mold.
Sometimes, an electrostatic element is also mixed in the mist. This ensures that the droplets stick to the mold particles in the air more effectively. The biggest advantage of dry or cold fogging mold is that you are able to cover a large amount of area affected by mold while using as minimum solution as possible.
Another advantage of dry fogging is that it can reach extremely minor cracks or spaces where mold can grow and become a seriously frustrating issue to deal with. But the downside to dry or cold fogging is that you wouldn’t want to excessively spray the area to the point where you wet down everything.
In simple words, dry fogging can be an effective and budget-friendly option if you wish to tackle the mold issue on your own. Furthermore, you should also keep in mind that foggers do not come cheap and can be expensive based on your needs and preferences. So, even though, it is considered a DIY method of cleaning mold, you should hire an expert to tackle mold instead of spending money on cold fogging machines.
What Kind Of Fogging Is Best?
As mentioned earlier, mold removal fogging can be done in a variety of ways but the cold fogging method tends to be the most popular. In cold fogging, ultra fine particles of fogging liquid is sprayed on the mold affected area for remediation.
The idea is to achieve an equal distribution and coverage of the mold area as compared to spraying. With spraying, there is a chance that you can leave out some spaces that are not visible. Meanwhile, thermal fogging methods are also used in households by experts.
The problem with a thermal fogging machine is that it disperses fogging smoke that can penetrate deep into the lung tissues and displace much of the oxygen in the room. As a result, it could lead to chronic respiratory issues. Unless you are a professional or an expert in using such techniques, you should not even think of opting for it.
Thermal fogging is not a bad method for removing pathogens and mold. It does its job well by penetrating the building materials and porous items to the point where it continues to linger even after the fogging is done.
So, if you have family members in the house who are sensitive to scents or odors, you should not be using thermal fogging to remove mold. If there is no other way, consult an expert and shift to some other place for a while.
Why Is Dry Fogging Not Recommended?
Regardless of what the experts say, dry, cold, or any other type of fogging does not permanently remove mold. You might be able to remove some but it will come back again. Some experts have marketed the products and techniques in such a way that customers think that fogging is the ultimate solution for removing mold.
The reason is that the remediation process is a lot more detailed than just spraying mist over the area.
To get rid of the mold, you will have to first determine the cause of the problem. It can be a leaking pipe, blocked gutters, roof issues, condensation problems, damaged chimney, or something else. You will need to fix the leaks or moisture problems first. Then, you will need to clean or discard the mold affected areas like some building materials. Spraying over the area will only prevent the spreading but not the growth.
So, fogging will only work if you are able to remove the mold from the root and then spray the area to contain it. But, by that time, most of the mold will be gone. In other words, fogging can be considered a cleaning step of remediation but it is not the actual technique of removing mold from a certain area of the house.
When Is Cold Or Dry Fogging Good To Use?
While cold and dry fogging has its disadvantages, it can be useful to some, especially those who are mold-sensitive and cannot really control their environment. If a person is traveling, renting, or simply does not have a budget to get all the detailed mold remediation Bethesda process done, then cold or dry fogging can be a good alternative.
But it should be kept in mind that it is a temporary solution. You will only be able to get rid of the mold permanently if you eradicate it from the root. So, if you are someone who recognizes the dangers of mold but cannot really do much about it, you can use the fogging method for temporary mold removal.
It can make your current situation a bit livable but don’t rely on it completely for removing mold because mold will come back if the only method used for removing mold is dry fogging.
How Does Maintenance Help?
If you live in a region that experiences humidity, moisture, and extreme weather conditions almost throughout the year, you should opt for expert maintenance. The reason is that homes in such areas are more vulnerable to cracks, leaks, and damage.
In such cases, mold can not only originate from one but multiple areas, which could be a serious issue to deal with. Sometimes, the cracks, leakages, or damage are so small that you are not able to detect them with the naked eye until you start observing discoloring.
Fortunately, all such issues are quite easy to prevent only if you opt for expert maintenance and inspection. Expert inspection goes deep into the areas that might be sensitive and prone to cracks and leaks. This allows the experts to fix them before mold can take place.
Although expert inspection and maintenance might be expensive but is a sort of investment to keep future mold problems at bay.
Conclusion
Dry fogging for mold removal is not a permanent but a temporary solution to mold problems. Depending on the situation, you might need to consult water damage restoration Silver Spring experts. However, you should ensure your house receives professional inspection and maintenance at least twice a year to prevent mold complications from sneaking in under everyone’s watch.