Glossary of Mold Removal and Repair Terms

Educate yourself on mold abatement industry terms and processes.

The following terms and descriptions will help you navigate through your mold removal and repair project:

allergens
Substances that create immune system reactions in humans and animals. Allergens can include mold and mildew that cause people to suffer from hay fever-like symptoms, red and watery eyes, sneezing and wheezing, asthma-like symptoms, rashes, sinusitis and sinus problems, and more.

Also known as: allergen, allergenic mold

allergenic mold
A type of mold that causes allergic symptoms in individuals who have sensitivity to that type of mold. Allergenic molds usually cause mild symptoms and discomfort, including runny eyes and nose, coughing, scratchy throat, skin rashes, and sinus trouble. They rarely cause life-threatening responses.

Also known as: allergens, allergic reaction to mold, allergy-causing mold

antimicrobials
Cleansers and microbe-killing surfactants that suppress, slow or kill microorganisms on contact. Many mold mitigation companies use antimicrobials to kill mold and mold spores during mold removal services.

Also known as: disinfectant, mold killer, antimold spray

containment
Mold removal companies often use containment methods to prevent mold spores from moving throughout the home or business during removal. Common types of containment include barriers, seals, air locks, negative air filtration systems, plastic sheeting and HEPA filters. These methods can prevent secondary contamination and the spread of mold.

Also known as: containment barrier, mold containment system, mold spore containment

disinfectant
Cleansers, antimicrobials, and other solutions that kill mold/mold spores and disinfect areas that are prone to mold. Disinfectants are rarely 100 percent effective, but they do limit the amount of mold and spores that exist in a home or business.

Also known as: disinfectants, mold disinfectant, disinfectant spray

HEPA filtration
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can capture and remove up to 99.97 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns and larger. HEPA filters are often used by mold remediation companies to remove mold spores from the air to prevent mold from spreading throughout a home or building.

Also known as: HEPA filters, HEPA, HEPA mold filters

hidden mold
Mold that grows in areas that aren’t easily accessible or seen. This type of mold can be found in walls and insulation, under carpeting and carpet padding, behind cabinets or shelves, between the rafters and the ceiling, in crawl spaces and attics, above drop ceilings, and in HVAC ducts or venting. Hidden mold is dangerous because residents may not know it’s present, so it can cause allergic responses, illnesses and other health problems.

Also known as: invisible mold, unseen mold, mold behind walls, mold under carpeting, mold behind cabinets, mold in HVAC system, mold in insulation, mold in attic, mold in ceiling

microbes
Microorganisms such as fungus and bacteria that cause indoor air contamination. Microbes (including mycotoxins released by toxic mold) can be invisible to the naked eye and thus difficult to locate without mold testing.

Also known as: mold microbes, mycotoxins, MVOCs, Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds

mycotoxins
Mold can release mycotoxins, which affect the cells and body tissue of people and animals who breathe it in. They can cause serious health problems that range from allergic responses to organ failure.

Also known as: mycotoxins, microbes, allergic response to mold

remediation
The act of removing mold from buildings and repairing any damage caused by the mold. Mold remediation may also include removing all contaminated materials, eliminating excess moisture and the causes of excess moisture, preventing moisture and wetness from building up in mold-prone areas, and rebuilding areas affected by mold.

Also known as: mold remediation, mold removal, mold repairs, mold mitigation services

spores
The reproductive cells of mold. They’re very tiny and can’t be seen by the naked eye. They travel easily in air, on clothing and material, and even on pets and human skin. Mold spores can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time, so they can move from room to room through air movement and clothing/skin transfer. Mold removal contractors must take care not to spread mold spores while they’re working. Barriers and filtration systems should be set up to prevent mold from spreading.

Also known as: mold spores

toxic mold
A type of mold that creates serious health problems in humans and animals. The results of toxic mold can include everything from allergic responses and irritation to compromised immune systems, cancer and even death. Toxic mold must be carefully and completely removed from buildings where humans are present, and people who’ve been exposed to toxic mold should be under the care of a physician to rule out long-term health problems.

Also known as: toxic black mold, toxic molds, toxic mold removal, toxigenic mold