Why Is a HEPA Vacuum So Important in Commercial Mold Remediation?

9/4/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Deploys HEPA Filtered Devices during Mold Remediation in Voorhees Commercial Buildings and Retail Shops

Voorhees Business Owners Need Mold Remediation That Works

Voorhees business owners understand the importance of being excellent at what they do. Comprehensive training and reliable customer service are vital to the success of any business. We understand the needs of the commercial community, which is why we ensure our technicians are well-trained and focused on providing high-quality cleanup and restoration services.

No one wants to deal with mold in their business, but sometimes it is unavoidable. If you need mold remediation in Voorhees, SERVPRO of Haddon Heights / Voorhees has got your back. We train our technicians to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certificate standards, so we can swiftly get your premises looking “Like it never even happened.”

What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungus. Mold needs moisture and a food source to grow. In nature, food sources for mold include foodstuffs such as fruits and vegetables, or natural substances like wood. In your business, mold can munch on drywall, canvas, wallpaper, carpets, or upholstery.

Mold consists of tiny tubular cells called hyphae, which combine to form a single organism known as a mycelium. Mold spores can leave the mycelium and become airborne, traveling through the air to a new location. The spores can also enter through doors and windows, drift through vents and HVAC systems, or even cling on workers’ boots and clothes.

When mold spores find a new location with water and a food source, they can establish a new colony and create another mycelium.

What does mold remediation mean?

SERVPRO mold remediation includes:

• Removing visible mold (the black or fuzzy growth you see in affected areas)
• Eliminating mold spores from the air if possible
• Treating the underlying cause of mold to prevent its return – this includes drying out the area with dehumidifiers and fans, and measuring moisture levels to ensure we meet our dryness target

SERVPRO teams use a range of techniques to remove mold, including scrubbing, dry cleaning, dry media blasting, negative air machines, and HEPA vacuuming.

Please note that it is not possible to remove every last mold spore. Spores are microscopic and can quickly spread through any building. Even if it was possible to remove every last one, more could still enter from the outside via doors, windows, and on staff shoes and clothes. However, thorough remediation discourages mold growth and gives your business a better chance of staying mold-free as far as active colonies.

What is a HEPA vacuum?

HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air and refers to a specific filter that traps small particles. To qualify as HEPA, a filter must be able to catch 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in size. A filter that meets these standards is known as a true HEPA filter. There are other HEPA-type filters available, but they do not meet these strict standards and are not as effective.

SERVPRO only uses true HEPA filtration in our vacuums. The HEPA label refers to the filter, not the device itself, or the bag inside it.

Why is a HEPA vacuum crucial for mold remediation?

Mold spores vary in size, but most are around 3 – 4 microns, bigger than the smallest particles that a HEPA vacuum can trap. That means a HEPA vacuum can catch a large number of mold spores and prevent them from re-circulating into your business. As a point of reference, a human hair is about 20 microns in diameter.

HEPA vacuums can capture other types of particle:

• Dust and dander for a thorough clean
• Particles of plaster or paint during restoration repairs
• Leftover dry ice or baking soda after media blasting, a type of mold cleaning that sprays small particles at the mold-covered surface

Although it is not possible to remove mold entirely, HEPA vacuuming dramatically reduces the amount of mold and traps the spores so they cannot travel elsewhere.

Can I get a HEPA vacuum for my office after SERVPRO leaves?

Yes, SERVPRO recommends investing in a HEPA vacuum for your cleaning staff. They do not cost that much more than ordinary vacuums.

A HEPA vacuum is not a substitute for professional mold remediation, and we do not suggest tackling mold yourself. However, using a HEPA vacuum as part of regular cleaning is an excellent way to trap spare mold particles and reduce the number of spores in the environment. HEPA filtration can also help with dust allergies, making for a more pleasant working environment. Effective air circulation improves IAQ indoor air quality and helps prevent a “sick” working environment.

Do double check that the vacuum you choose is a true HEPA filter that has been tested to work for 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns, to be sure you are getting the best filtration. But remember – if you see mold, do not vacuum it yourself. Call in the experts.

 If you are worried about mold growth in your business, call SERVPRO of Haddon Heights / Voorhees at (856) 566-3388.