Mold Removal from Wood and Drywall
Specialized Mold Removal from Wood and Drywall in Portland, OR
Wood framing and drywall are the most common hosts for significant mold growth in Portland properties, largely due to moisture penetration through leaks or chronic high humidity. Because these materials react differently to contamination, a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. Wood is semi-porous and often salvageable; drywall is highly porous and, once saturated or contaminated with mold, is rarely salvageable and must be removed.
Our Mold Removal from Wood / Drywall service ensures the proper material-specific treatment. We strictly follow IICRC S520 guidelines, meaning we safely cut out and dispose of all contaminated drywall. For exposed wood framing (studs, joists, sheathing), we perform mechanical abrasion and deep cleaning to physically remove the mold, followed by fungicidal treatment. This dual approach ensures that non-salvageable materials are removed safely, and valuable structural wood is restored to a clean, safe, and sound condition.
REVIEWS
Our 3-Step Material-Specific Removal Process
Safe Demolition and Material Isolation
We safely establish containment. All heavily contaminated porous drywall is carefully cut out, double-bagged, and removed from the premises. This exposes the underlying structural wood for cleaning.
Wood Structure Deep Cleaning and Treatment
Exposed wood framing, joists, and sheathing are cleaned using mechanical abrasion (sanding or wire brushing) to remove embedded mold roots. The wood is then treated with a professional, wood-safe fungicidal agent.
Post-Remediation Verification and Sealing
The treated wood is HEPA vacuumed and prepared for a final clearance test. We apply a protective, mold-resistant encapsulant to the cleaned structural wood before the rebuild process begins.
Q&A
Why must moldy drywall always be removed, while moldy wood can sometimes be saved?
Drywall has a paper facing and a gypsum core, both of which are highly porous food sources for mold. Mold roots (hyphae) penetrate deep into the material, making it impossible to clean effectively. Wood, being much denser, is only semi-porous. The mold usually grows on the surface layer, allowing the underlying, structurally sound wood to be cleaned and salvaged through mechanical removal techniques.
If the wood framing is lightly charred from a fire, and has mold, how is it cleaned?
If the wood is structurally sound but has light charring and mold, the mechanical cleaning process (sanding or wire brushing) is often highly effective. This abrasion simultaneously removes the surface layer of mold, the embedded spores, and the charring, preparing the wood for the necessary structural sealant and reconstruction.
How far beyond the visible mold do you cut out the contaminated drywall?
Industry best practice (IICRC S520) requires removing drywall to a minimum of 12 to 18 inches past the last visible sign of mold growth. This ensures that any hidden spores or root growth that have traveled through the material are removed entirely, preventing the mold from simply creeping back once new drywall is installed.
Does your service include the disposal of the contaminated drywall and wood debris?
Yes. Contaminated debris is considered hazardous waste. We handle the entire disposal process, including carefully double-bagging the material while still in the containment zone, transporting it safely from the Portland property, and disposing of it at an approved waste facility according to local regulations.
After the wood is cleaned, should I apply a waterproofing agent to the framing?
Instead of a waterproofing agent, we recommend applying a fungicidal encapsulant to the structural wood. This sealant locks in any final residual spores, brightens the wood, and provides a barrier that prevents new mold from colonizing the wood surface. The best waterproofing is fixing the initial leak or moisture source.
