IN SHORT
- Containment uses physical barriers to limit cross-contamination.
- Source containment covers a small, limited patch.
- Local containment builds a small sealed work zone under negative pressure.
- Full containment seals off a whole area, with a separate decontamination chamber.
If an affected area is larger than about one square metre, professional advice is recommended. Here is how the three levels of containment generally work.
1. Source containment
Used for small, limited patches of visible mould where hidden growth isn't expected. The affected surface is covered with plastic sheeting and tape before it is disturbed, so spores and fragments stay put.
2. Local containment
Used for moderate growth, or where hidden growth inside the structure is suspected. A small, temporary, sealed work zone is built from plastic barriers to separate the work from the rest of the room.
The key is negative pressure. A HEPA-filtered air filtration device draws air into the zone and filters it, so spores don't drift into clean areas.
3. Full containment
Used for significant or extensive growth affecting large sections or a whole room. The whole affected area is sealed (walls, floor and ceiling) with plastic barriers, and a separate decontamination chamber is set up at the exit so workers don't carry spores into clean parts of the building.
Containment is only part of the job
Containment limits spread while the work is done. It doesn't deal with the moisture, and if the water problem stays, mould can return. And never point household fans at mould, which can spread spores and fragments widely.
WHERE DRYSAFE FITS
Every DrySafe job starts by setting up the work area, and DrySafe Care adds furniture protection and an air filtration device.