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You already know that mold carries with it serious health risks, especially if someone in your family has asthma, breathing difficulties or even a compromised immune system. But what about air scrubbers for mold? Are they effective? Is purchasing a small one for your home worth the investment?
We’ll break down the facts concerning air scrubbers for mold, the pros and cons, and when you should contact a professional restoration company like First Call.
Our commitment to the community extends back to 1989, when we began offering remediation services to businesses, homes and schools throughout the Triangle and Triad areas. We’re proud to continue this commitment with fair and transparent pricing, trustworthy employees and stellar customer service. Make the right call with First Call.
Do Air Scrubbers for Mold Really Work?
The short answer: Yes and no.
They are effective for capturing any airborne spores. They can also prevent cross-contamination during remediation.
However, mold scrubbers don’t kill surface mold. And since they don’t address the underlying moisture problem, they can’t offer a lasting fix because the root cause remains untouched.
In short, the key to controlling mold is controlling moisture, and that’s where a mold remediation company like First Call can help. It’s critical to do the job thoroughly, and that often requires using more than one device or strategy. We don’t want to just help you clean up mold; we want to prevent it from coming back by addressing the core issue.
What Is an Air Scrubber?
These are not household appliances. They are HEPA-based air filtration units. They’re typically used in professional cleanup. It’s very effective at removing dust, airborne mold and recirculating clean air back into the room.
However, it’s important to note that there is a big difference between the industrial-grade scrubbers you’ll see used by professional remediation companies and the smaller devices designed for consumers.
How Does an Air Scrubber Help With Mold Remediation?
Air scrubbers help us eliminate the potential hazard caused by airborne mold particles. It establishes a negative pressure so these mold spores don’t spread to other parts of the building or home. Mold can be disturbed through basic remediation measures like cutting drywall or tearing out insulation.
Remember: While air scrubbers can be effective, they are only one part of the remediation process. All elements must work in perfect sync to establish a safe, clean home.
When Are Air Scrubbers Used?
Air scrubbers are used:
- During demolition and tear out of materials such as drywall, insulation or flooring.
- During setups for larger jobs.
- After treatment for water damage, used with drying equipment.
- During final cleanup as a complement to HEPA vacuuming
How Is an Air Scrubber Different From an Air Purifier?
It can be easy to get the two confused. Therefore, we’ve compiled this useful table:
| Air Scrubber | Air Purifier | |
| Setting | Large jobs/containment zones | Daily, continuous use in homes |
| Airflow volume | High, often utilizing industrial fans | Lower, more appropriate for areas the size of a room |
| Pressure control | Creates negative air pressure | Recirculates the air in one room |
| Uses | For extensive remediation, disaster cleanup or demolition sites | Everyday use in a home, generally purifying the air for one room. |
| Duration | Only to the extent of the project; the air scrubber stops when the job is completed | Long-term, passive use. |
Considering Air Scrubbers for Mold? Contact Our Family-Owned and Operated Company
We’ve reviewed the differences between air scrubbers for mold and air purifiers …as well as which one you need to get the job done.
Air scrubbers for mold are typically large, industrial-grade units used during remediation work. Air purifiers can be useful in other contexts, but they aren’t powerful enough to clean the air to the standard required when dealing with mold contamination.
And when it comes to mold remediation, make the right call with First Call.
What sets us apart goes far beyond experience. We believe in honesty, transparency, dependability and fairness.
Not just as an idea. Not just as a principle. But in every interaction we have.
Concerned about the air quality in your home? Worried that mold is slowly infiltrating your building? Contact us for a reliable assessment today.
Key Takeaways
- Air scrubbers are effective at capturing airborne mold spores and preventing cross-contamination, but they don’t kill surface mold or fix the underlying moisture problem.
- True air scrubbers are professional-grade, HEPA-based filtration units, distinct from the smaller consumer devices often marketed under the same name.
- Air scrubbers work by creating negative air pressure, which keeps disturbed mold spores from spreading during demolition or remediation work.
- They’re typically used during demolition/tear-out, large job setups, post-water-damage drying, and final cleanup alongside HEPA vacuuming.
- Air scrubbers differ from air purifiers in scale and purpose: scrubbers are high-powered, temporary, and used for containment zones, while purifiers are lower-volume, passive, and meant for continuous everyday home use.
- Because air scrubbers only address airborne spores and not the root moisture cause, lasting mold control requires a full remediation strategy, not just this one device.
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Sources:
Environmental Protection Agency, “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings,” https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-08/documents/moldremediation.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency, “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home,” https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home
Environmental Protection Agency, OSHA, et. al. “Mold: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls,’
