Mould removal remediation principals

A brief overview of Mould removal mechanisms

Biocides & antimicrobials

Biocides and antimicrobials are excellent tools for mould remediation projects, but they must be used strictly as directed, with their capabilities and limitations understood. They must be used as part of a comprehensive mould remediation process and not a stand-alone remediation tool.

Mould killer or mould stain remover?

Professionally formulated biocides/mouldicides, have the advantage of being effective in killing the mould organism. This includes the roots or hyphae which can grow deep into porous surfaces to access food. Domestic grade mould removers and often mechanical removal techniques, remove the mould stain, but do not kill the mould organism, and rapid re-growth occurs.

Chemical biocides used in Mould remediation, include:

• Benzylkonium chloride (Quaternary ammonium compounds) are one of the most lethal fungicides available. They are often chosen because of their inherent cleaning ability, relatively low hazard profile, dilutability and compatibility with most surfaces. However, they have limited ability to remove mould staining or discoloration.
• Glutaraldehyde is a powerful fungicide but needs to be used at strong concentrations which results in a hazard profile too high for efficient use.
• Chlorine is a powerful fungicide and when professionally formulated is very effective. It’s use however is restricted to outdoors, due the release of harmful chlorine vapours. It very effectively removes mould staining and discoloration.
• Hydrogen Peroxide shows strong fungicidal activity but must be professionally formulated to provide sufficient hydroxyl radicals and ensure sufficient penetration into porous materials. It very effectively removes mould staining and discoloration

Mechanical removal

Mould growth on certain substances and applications may benefit from physical abrasive methods to remediate the surface. These methods can be very effective but have limited use indoors and can damage the surface being treated. Special consideration must be taken to prevent excess dust and the creation of air-borne mould spores spreading to other areas. Thorough clean-up is required including the use of HEPA vacuum equipment. It should be noted that, mechanical removal methods do not kill the mould organism.

• High pressure washer - High pressure cleaner systems are effective in removing mould discolouration.
• Sanders and wire brush – Orbital and belt sanders and wire brushing are effective in physical mould removal from structural timber.
• Soda blasting – Sodium bicarbonate is used to remove mould growth.
• Dry Ice Blasting – Uses dry ice to remove mould growth. Whilst a cleaner operation than soda blasting and sanding, elevated levels of carbon dioxide and the resulting depleted levels of oxygen require self-contained breathing apparatus if used inside.

Buildings, whether residential, commercial or industrial, have a wide variety of substrate types and unique location characteristics. This is why all of them require a calculated mould remediation approach for successful outcomes.

1. Inhabited spaces & delicate furnishings

   This would include: Houses (inhabited at the time) Office buildings. Public buildings & venues Vehicles Clothing, furniture, accessories, curtains etc.
   
   When treating mould in buildings and houses that are inhabited at the time of treating, we need to be careful to select products that will not have an adverse effect on the occupants of the property. It is also important to be mindful of ensuring a complete and thorough treatment is carried out, including airborne germs and toxins. The products recommended for these applications are all products that have a mild or pleasant fragrance, are not harmful to humans, pets or food, and will still be 100% effective in treating the mould. The products in this section are also ideally suited to use on fabrics and furnishings.
   
   Killing mould down to the roots. 
   
   Indoor surfaces which support mould are mostly porous surfaces, which means that the visible surface mould, is supported by roots & hyphae which grow deep into the porous substrate. Biosan II and Percide, have been equipped with super-wetting agents to ensure that the powerful mouldicide chemistry penetrates deep down through the mould structure and kills it right down to the roots!
   
   Kills mould and removes odours in carpets, soft furnishings, curtains, clothing & sensitive surfaces
   
   Biosan II (Dilution 1:16) High performance biocide & mouldicide which quickly and effectively kills mould and mildew. Biosan II should be diluted 1:16 and safely used on soft furnishings, clothing, carpets and other textiles. Biosan II is pleasantly fragranced and is safe for use around humans, pets and food. Biosan II is a product that has zero limitations and can be used in any environment. When using Biosan II on soft furnishings, a follow-up treatment using Percide diluted 1:1 with water can assist in removing any residual mould staining.
   
   Biosan II is a TGA Listed Disinfectant AUST L332364
   
   Oxidising mould removal treatment
   
   Percide (Dilution 1:1 for use on textiles) Percide is based on an activated Hydrogen Peroxide formulation, and is part the globally recognized #FuturisePeroxide program. Percide will quickly and effectively kill mould and remove the staining. Percide is an incredibly effective product that contains no odour and is fully biodegradable. Percide is also incredibly effective in remediation of clandestine meth labs. Percide is safe for use on most hard surfaces, and can be effectively used on some fabrics and textiles.
   
   Percide is a TGA Listed Disinfectant AUST L332284
   
   Treat airborne mould and leave a fresh residual scent
   
   Deostor Spray is a new generation aerial spray that contains patented molecular odour-pairing technology and aerial biocides, designed to treat airborne mould spores and neutralise mycotoxins, for a complete remediation solution. Deostor Spray also contains a fresh fragrance for a unique sensory lift.
   
   Products: Biosan II,  Percide, Deostor Spray

2. Uninhabited spaces/buildings, strip-outs and crawl spaces.
   This would include: Attics, lofts & roof cavities. Basements Sub-floors under buildings and houses Vacant properties & strip-outs
   
   When treating mould in buildings and houses that are uninhabited at the time of treating, we have the liberty of using the strongest solution possible. These situations allow us to use products like Mould Exterminator, which is possibly the best and most effective mould remover in the world. These areas often involve different application methods due to space and access limitations etc.
   
   The challenge of organic build-up
   The mould growth in these “rougher” areas of the building, is often combined with large quantities of grime, organic waste and even atmospheric pollution. The Mould Exterminator and Percide+ Boost are equipped not only with wetting and penetration agents, but also powerful emulsifiers to rid the surface of grime whilst killing the mould. The result is an even cleaner, brighter surface.
   
   Sodium Hypochlorite based mould remover for strip-outs, sub-floors and crawl spaces
   
   Mould Exterminator: Possibly the worlds best mould removal solution. Mould Exterminator employs a chlorine accelerator to ensure a total kill of the toughest moulds. This is blended with a combination of super-wetting agents and emulsifiers to guarantee ultimate performance on porous and dirty surfaces. Mould Exterminator can be sprayed or applied using a brush, spray system
   
   Hypo Enforcer: The blitz option for mould build-up, mildew & moss
   Hypo Enforcer is the core proprietary ingredients packed into a convenient 1Lt. This enables the user to add this directly to 15Lt pool chlorine (hypochlorite) for bursting through the toughest of mould build-ups, with zero scrubbing.
   
   Peroxide based mould remover for strip-outs, sub-floors and crawl spaces
   
   Percide + Boost
   Percide is based on an activated Hydrogen Peroxide formulation, and is part of the globally recognised #FuturisePeroxide program. Percide will quickly and effectively kill mould and remove the staining. Percide is an incredibly effective product that contains no odour and is fully bio-degradable. Percide is also incredibly effective in remediation of clandestine meth labs.
   Percide is a TGA Listed Disinfectant AUST L332284
   The Percide Boost can be added for severe mould build-up and where large amounts of organic waste and grime are present. 
   Foam Booster also available. Foam Boost can be used in place of Percide Boost, to activate the Peroxide and create a thick foam.
   
   Use through ULV fogger to kill mould in inaccessible areas
   Percide and Biosan II
   Percide and Biosan II have been included in this section for use in restricted access locations. In these areas, the ideal mould remediation solution, is to wet fog Biosan II or Percide through the area.
   
   Use through ULV fogger to treat airborne mould spores and leave a fresh residual scent
   
   Odourtak W is a patented solution designed to be ULV wet fogged into affected areas to treat airborne mould spores, mycotoxins and odours after mould removal treatment. Odourtak W also neutralises Chlorine odours and has a fresh clean fragrance. Ideal for use in areas where an internal strip-out clean has been undertaken
   
   Products: Mould Exterminator, Odourtak W
   
   
3. Bathrooms, showers, kitchens & localised mould.
   This would include: Bathrooms, showers & washrooms Drains Tiles & grout Sinks
   
   Removing mould and mildew in bathrooms, showers, kitchens and in laundry areas often involves treatment of an isolated area, while this area is also covered in the previous two sections, this section covers some points relating to sensitive surfaces.
   
   Keep the odour down
   Mould remediation work has the challenge of being done in confined spaces. Hence the ultra low-odour Percide is the ideal choice. Where a chlorine product like Mould Exterminator is used, avoid spraying the solution (aerolising) and increase any available natural ventilation. Lastly, finish up with Deostor Spray. Not only does it treat airborne mould spores and mycotoxins, but it neutralises the chlorine odour.
   
   Use when the facility is uninhabited
   
   Mould Exterminator
   Possibly the worlds best mould removal solution. Mould Exterminator employs a chlorine accelerator to ensure a total kill of the toughest moulds. This is blended with a combination of super-wetting agents and emulsifiers to guarantee ultimate performance on porous and dirty surfaces. Mould Exterminator can be sprayed or applied using a brush, spray system. Use this for strip-outs and unoccupied areas.
   
   Use when the facility is currently inhabited
   Percide is based on an activated Hydrogen Peroxide formulation, and is part the globally recognised #FuturisePeroxide program. Percide will quickly and effectively kill mould and remove the staining. Percide is an incredibly effective product that contains no odour and is fully biodegradable. Percide is also incredibly effective in remediation of clandestine meth labs. Percide is safe for use on most hard surfaces, and can be effectively used on some fabrics and textiles.
   Percide is a TGA Listed Disinfectant AUST L332284
   
   Use to treat airborne mould and leave a fresh residual scent
   
   Deostor Spray is a new generation aerial spray that contains patented molecular odour-pairing technology and aerial biocides, designed to treat airborne mould spores and neutralise mycotoxins, for a complete remediation solution. Deostor Spray also contains a fresh fragrance for a unique sensory lift.
   
   Products: Mould Exterminator, Percide, Deostor Spray
   
   
   
4. External surfaces, roofs, walls, paving & outdoor structures.
   This would include: Bricks, concrete, masonry and timber. Roofs and shade structures. All outdoor surfaces
   
   Cleaning outdoors very often includes removing mould, mildew, organic growth, organic soiling and tannins. All of these soil types are effectively tackled by chlorinated cleaners. However, Mould Exterminator takes this cleaning to another level. Use Mould Exterminator to clean all outdoor surfaces and quickly and effectively remove mould and mould stains.
   
   The curse of the pressure washer.
   Mould staining on walls, stone, driveways etc, is very often removed by the use of a pressure washer. Whilst highly effective at mould stain removal, the pressure washer process does not kill the mould, damages the substrate and encourages rapid mould regrowth. The ideal solution, is to kill the mould using Mould Exterminator and flush the surface using a lower pressure water sprayer.
   
   Use on external surfaces, roofs, walls, fences, paving & outdoor structures
   
   Mould Exterminator
   Possibly the worlds best mould removal solution. Mould Exterminator employs a chlorine accelerator to ensure a total kill of the toughest moulds. This is blended with a combination of super-wetting agents and emulsifiers to guarantee ultimate performance on porous and dirty surfaces. Mould Exterminator can be sprayed or applied using a brush, spray system
   
   Hypo Enforcer The blitz option for mould build-up, mildew & moss
   Hypo Enforcer is the core proprietary ingredients packed into a convenient 1Lt. This enables the user to add this directly to 15Lt pool chlorine (hypochlorite) for bursting through the toughest of mould build-ups, with zero scrubbing.
   
   Products: Mould Exterminator