What is mold encapsulation?
Mold encapsulation; what does it mean when a mold removal company says that they need to encapsulate mold in your home or business? Encapsulation is the process of enclosing something in. For our purposes, it is about enclosing or sealing off mold on a moldy surface that could not be fully removed from a home or business. The product used to encapsulate the mold is a paint-like substance.
This paint-like substance is considered a sealant. The sealant can have a color like paint or be clear. The sealant can be applied with a sprayer, roller, or brush. However, the sealant is unlike paint whereas it contains antimicrobial properties that continue to fight mold from re-growing and spreading.
When and Why is mold encapsulation used?
It’s always best to remove any material from a home or building that is moldy. However, this may not always be possible. Porous and semi-porous materials like wood, drywall, and ceiling tiles may not be able to be removed. For us personally, we find this typically in wood structural beams and sometimes in the drywall. In a case where we are not able to remove the wood, we remove as much mold as possible from the surface and make sure that it is treated with an antimicrobial spray. From there we make sure the wood is dry and then use the mold sealant to encapsulate the mold (mold encapsulation).
Anytime there is a mold issue in a home or business, finding the source that is causing the mold is critical. It is important to fix the issue before removing the mold or chances are the mold will be back.
As always, if you have a mold issue in your home or business, call the mold experts at 920.435.2288. We’ll be happy to remove the mold from your home so that you and your family can breathe easier.