Mold is everywhere. It’s in the air we breathe and with very little encouragement, it will colonize surfaces in our homes and in commercial buildings. Worryingly, more than 200 potentially toxic mycotoxins have been found in mold, according to the EPA.

Mold also makes our homes and businesses look dirty, discoloring wood, plaster, and more. Thankfully, there’s now a mold remediation solution that really works – dry ice blasting.

You may wonder what dry ice blasting is and why you should choose it for mold remediation over traditional methods. Let’s explore that together so you can benefit from this cutting-edge technology.

The Dangers of Mold

Mold is a type of fungi and believe it or not, we are completely dependent on it. 

It helps to break down organic matter, such as dead leaves, insects, and animals. It recycles them into nutrients that keep our planet functioning. 

Mold produces tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye. They spread in the wind and are found everywhere. Most of the time they’re harmless and won’t grow indoors. But if they find some moisture, you can have big problems.

Once they find a moist place to settle, they can quickly start to grow. Just like they digest dead leaves, they’ll start to digest the surface they have landed on. They can cause:

  • Damage to wood, including structural components of your home
  • Staining and damage to furniture and carpets
  • Health effects on animals and humans

Health Impact of Mold

Mold does not affect all people in the same way. In some people, it can cause:

  • Rashes
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Allergic reactions
  • Infections
  • Sore eyes
  • Coughing and wheezing

For all of these reasons, mold removal is vital if you have a mold problem in your home or business. If left unchecked, it can cause long-term damage both to your health and the stability of your home.

The Importance of Mold Remediation

Mold removal and mold remediation are two different but complementary processes. 

Mold removal involves cleaning the mold away. Mold penetrates beneath the surface, so cleaning is only the first step. To ensure that mold does not come back, you need mold remediation.

Mold remediation involves eliminating mold from a particular area. It goes deeper than cleaning and removes mold that has penetrated the surface. It can also include removing materials that are too severely affected to be repaired.

The final part is to get mold back to harmless levels so that it does not colonize the home again.

Mold Remediation Tools

Traditional mold remediation methods often include a lot of scrubbing and water. Mold can get into very tight nooks and crannies, so it may be extremely awkward to remove. There’s always the possibility that some will get left behind. 

Sandblasting is another alternative. The problem is that it makes the mold airborne again and it creates a lot of mess.

What Is Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting uses dry ice pellets that are fired at the surface at high speed. Unlike other forms of blasting, it doesn’t use abrasion to remove the mold. 

Instead, the force of the blast starts to remove the mold.

Then the mold undergoes a sudden change in temperature – down to around -109°F! This causes a thermal shock and the mold contracts and detaches from the surface beneath. Freezing the mold also helps to stop the mold from growing again. 

No Messy Cleanup

Here’s the really cool part. When the dry ice hits the surface, a process called sublimation occurs. This is when a solid changes into a gas without becoming a liquid. 

The dry ice becomes CO2, which is already in the air we breathe. It harmlessly dissipates into the atmosphere. There’s no water to clean up and very little mess.

The mold that is removed can then be safely vacuumed up and removed from the site. Once the dry ice blasting for mold has been completed, mold inspectors can check the property.

The Dry Ice Blasting Mold Remediation Process

The process begins with containing the affected area. This is to limit the spread of mold to other parts of the property.

Next, the area is vacuumed in preparation for the treatment. The surfaces are then blasted and sanitized.

The mold will then be vacuumed away and finally, the area will be sanitized again for complete peace of mind.

The Advantages of Dry Ice Blasting for Mold Remediation

Dry ice blasting is a quicker and more thorough approach to mold remediation. It requires less manpower and takes less time. There is less cleanup needed, which results in lower costs for customers.

Kind to Underlying Surfaces

Other mold remediation techniques can do damage to surfaces. Dry ice blasting has minimal impact on the material beneath. It can be used on hard-to-reach surfaces and on a variety of materials, including pipework.

It’s also safe to use on electrical wiring.

Complete Mold Removal

Unlike other mold removal techniques that move mold around, dry ice blasting freezes the mold and renders it inactive. This will prevent it from returning and causing further damage. 

The mold can simply be vacuumed away. There’s no secondary waste to clean up.

Environmentally Friendly

Dry ice pellets are made from recycled carbon dioxide. This means that the process does not add additional CO2 to the atmosphere. This can then be absorbed by plants and turned into oxygen.

Choose Raw Restoration Blasting for Mold Remediation

Now that you’re sold on the benefits of mold remediation, there’s no need to start searching for “dry ice blasting near me.” You’re already in the right place.

At Raw Restoration Blasting, we don’t believe in making a mess with water or using abrasives. We treat the materials in your home with care, while getting to the root of the problem.

Dry ice blasting allows us to provide a comprehensive mold remediation service. It not only gets rid of the mold but also restores the appearance of the materials beneath.

Click here to get a quote or call us at 262-417-6836 to discuss your project today!