Car Mold Remediation
Car Mold Removal is Our Specialty
We are your mold and water damage specialist! You can ease your mind, if you discovered mold in your vehicle is can be 100% remediated, no matter how bad it is. Car interior mold remediation is a matter of science and we use proven remediation methods. Our professional car mold removal process will effectively make your vehicle safe again.
Car Mold Removal Services
We don’t simply remove the visible mold and call it mold remediation; we eliminate all of the mold seen and unseen. This includes mold behind the dash, behind the door panels, behind the trim, in the ventilation system, the seat foam, the carpet padding, etc.
What makes Lonadier’s Mobile Detailing the logical choice for car mold removal?
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Over ten (10) years performing car mold removal
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Over two thousand (2,700) successful vehicle mold jobs completed
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Professional mold remediation best practices followed
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Expert leak detection and water damage repair (critical to eliminate the source of moisture)
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90 day guarantee against return of mold
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Unparalleled professional reputation (perfect 5 star rating on Google) of mold detection companies
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Professional tools used i.e. moisture meter, ozone meter, air quality meter, wire camera, high-capacity hot air dryers, etc.
Note: inadequate/improper mold remediation processes can have serious health consequences. Make sure you hire a professional mold remediator, and not just a car detailer.
Why air quality is often worse inside of a car than outside of a car
What is mold?
Mold is a multicellular, microscopic organism belonging to the kingdom Fungi. It reproduces through the release of tiny spores, which become airborne and can settle on virtually any surface. When these spores encounter a suitable environment, they begin to grow and multiply, forming colonies. Mold can come in various colors, including black mold, green, white, and orange, and may have a fuzzy or slimy appearance. Even though not all mold is considered to be toxic, even the most benign strains can cause adverse allergic reactions in some people.
One Stop Car Mold Remediation
Professional car mold removal is serious business. We are a true one stop shop for car mold remediation. Our services include: mold prevention, finding and fixing leaks, drying out vehicles, chemical remediation, gas remediation, ventilation purge, cabin filter replacement, etc. This makes us unique in the auto mold remediation space.
Mold Prevention
Just like mold in a home, car mold needs moisture to grow. Occasionally high humidity alone provides enough moisture for mold growth. This is especially true when a vehicle sits sealed up for extended periods of time in high humidity. However, nearly all mold problems in vehicles are caused by leaks.
The most common leak is sunroof drain tube leaks. Leaky door and trunk rubber seals also leak often. There are several additional common leak sources. Once a vehicle gets wet and develops a mold problem it becomes an expensive and time consuming process to remediate.
Our mold prevention service is designed to prevent mold growth by targeting common leak sources and clean, lubricate, and examine and if necessary repair them. We also educate the vehicle owner on ways to prevent mold growth, focusing on controlling excess moisture.
Finding and fixing leaks (hydro testing)
Finding leaks can be complex and time consuming. Experience is the name of the game here. It takes time to learn all of the tricks that come with finding leaks. Over the last seven years we have become true experts in finding leaks. We provide this service as a stand alone service, and as a part of our comprehensive mold remediation process.
Some leaks can be quite laborious and complicated like door vapor barrier leaks
We can fix nearly every leak. A few we can’t fix are: improperly sealed windshields, panel misalignments (typically due to an accident), soft top misalignments. We provide a twelve ninety (90) day warranty on all repairs.
Drying Out Vehicles
Drying out the vehicle can be challenging due to the carpet padding being thick, dense, and sealed off. We use heated blowers to force hot air up under the padding. We can provide this service as a stand alone service. However, this service is typically part of our comprehensive mold remediation process.
We use moisture meters to ensure the moisture content is below 7%
Chemical and gas remediation
Every square inch of the interior that can be physically touched is chemically remediated with Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2) a safe yet effective chemical. Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2) gas is used to remediate the areas that can not be physically accessed i.e. ventilation, behind the dash, behind the door panels, the seat foam, carpet padding, etc.
Ventilation Purge
It’s very important to ensure the ventilation ducting is properly and thoroughly remediated.
The ducting is blown out with compressed air, and then filled witha mold killing remediation foam.
Cabin air filter replacement
All of the air that comes into a vehicle passes through the cabin air filter first. If there is mold in a vehicle, the cabin air filter will be contaminated.
A new cabin air filter must be installed following the ventilation purge. We install a MERV 13 electrostatically charged cabin air filter. Unfortunately, a HEPA rated cabin air filter would restrict air flow too drastically to be considered.
Air quality testing
At the end of the remediation process, the air quality is tested for VOCs, Total air Quality, and Particulates in the air.
Important car mold information
There are several common types of mold that grows in cars. The most dangerous being Stachybotrys (black mold). There is a huge difference between detailing and car mold remediation. Detailing not only doesn’t kill the mold is many areas within the vehicle (ventilation system, behind the dash, behind the door panels, in the carpet padding, in the seat foam, etc. etc.), it also doesn’t address two additional critical areas:
If these two steps are not performed the mold will return within a relatively short period of time.
Mold needs moisture in order to grow and thrive. Although mold can develop in a vehicle due to the humidity in the air alone, it’s almost always the case that the mold growth is caused by a leak in the vehicle. Leaks in vehicles are actually very common. A few common vehicle leak areas include: Sunroof drain tubes, air conditioning condensate drain tubes, rubber door/trunk seals, tail lights, 3rd brake light, etc.
Backseat Before Remediation
Mold loves organic material like leather seating.
Backseat After Car Mold Remediation
The longer mold sits on a surface the deeper the roots penetrate and the more damage it causes.
It can not only stain, but it can also destroy leather, fabric and other surfaces within a vehicle. Time is of the essence when you discover mold to prevent staining and damage.
Summary of Auto Mold Removal Process
- Perform hydro test to find leak(s)
- Repair leaks (we can repair most leaks, however, some leaks like windshield leaks have to be repaired by a 3rd party vendor)
- Dry out vehicle
- Remove and replace carpet padding
- Remove all contents from the vehicle (all compartments including spare tire and all items in the spare tire compartment)
- Remove cabin air filter
- Remediate every square inch of the interior with remediation chemical
- Purge the ventilation system (compressed air and biocide fog)
- Gas vehicle with chlorine dioxide (CLO2)
- Evacuate CLO2 gas out of vehicle
- Install new cabin air filter
- Certify vehicle is dry, mold free, and safe to occupy
Before and After Remediation Comparison
Pricing
Please call for the Lonadier’s Mobile Detailing and Mold Remediation for Car Mold Removal Services pricing. 770.568.1982
Car mold remediation has too many variables to provide a price without an in-depth conversation. Please keep in mind, we do not simply remove the visible mold and call it mold remediation. This is professional car mold remediation. There is a big difference. We would be happy to explain the differences between traditional interior detailing, and professional mold remediation.
As a baseline, prices start for sedans, trucks, and two row SUVs at $1,000. Three Row SUVs start at $1,200. The process takes 10 to 12 hours to complete
Variables that impact car mold removal service cost:
- If the vehicles has a leak that needs to be found, fixed, and tested
- If the carpet padding needs to be removed and replaced
- How wet the vehicle is
- How many areas are wet
- The condition of the vehicle
Moldy carpet padding can not be remediated. It must be removed and replaced.
Video of 2008 Acura MDX before mold remediation
Video of 2008 Acura MDX after mold remediation
Mold rermediation 2017 Honda Odyssey. Removed padding. Leak caused by clogged front driver’s side drain tube
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER