Trask Research, Inc. - Mold Problem Solving

Insulation

By Matthew Yurina, Mold Inspector/Remediator

Insulation, like drywall, is impossible to remediate. In a case where insulation has been infested with mold or mold spores, the only safe way to clean it up will be to replace the insulation.

You’ll need protective equipment: P100 respirator, gloves, goggles, full body coveralls. This will protect you from exposure to mold while removing the insulation. You’ll need to bag the insulation up (very carefully so as not to spread mold spores around to other areas) in 6 mil polyethylene. Once the infested insulation is bagged and safely removed form the premises, it can be thrown away normally.

At this point the identification of the moisture source which caused the mold in the first place needs to be located and addressed, for if moisture continues to infiltrate the area, mold will continue to grow no matter what you do. You’ll need to get the area dried out well so that you can treat it with a mold killer like Oxy Mold MX-501™. MX-501 is an EPA registered fungicide that’s been designed to kill any type of mold you could have. You’ll want to treat the areas around where the insulation was to kill any mold growth or mold spores that might have spread around.

If the mold has been growing long enough that there’s a significant smell (a moldy, musty smell), odds are that there are high quantities of spores in the air, and the only way to kill them and make the air inside breathable again, will be to apply the MX-501 with a cold, air based Fogger. The fogger will atomize the fungicide and spread it about the air inside the room, killing air born mold spores and surface mold that the fog settles on. A fogger is also an easier way to apply the MX-501. Fogging should only be done in empty or gutted areas.

Mold’s strong pigments can cause very serious staining, so sanding or scrubbing may be necessary to remove stains on some surfaces. The Oxy Mold cleaner is very efficient at removing stains on most surfaces, however. It’s an enzyme based mold cleaner.

Once the MX-501 has been applied at least twice to the infected areas (give it 24 hours to dry between applications), perform posts testing with the EZ Mold Test Kits to verify that it’s safe to reinstall insulation, drywall or other items that have been removed.