What Does Mold Remediation Mean

Matthew Fournier 12/15/22

Mold growth in your home or business can be a serious problem. Not only can it cause structural damage, but it can also affect the health of those living or working in the space. It's important to address mold growth as soon as it's discovered to prevent further damage and protect the health of those on the property.


At Mattra Inc, we understand the importance of mold remediation. As a mold remediation company specializing in residential jobs in Maine, we have the knowledge and equipment necessary to safely and effectively remove mold from your property.

Inspection and Assessment: What Mold Remediation Means


Our inspection and assessment process is critical in identifying the type and extent of mold growth in your property. Our team of certified professionals will conduct a thorough inspection of the affected area, including hidden spaces, to determine the best course of action for removal. Once the inspection is complete, we will provide you with a detailed report of our findings, including the type of mold, the extent of the growth, and our recommended plan for remediation.

Containment: What Mold Remediation Means


Once we have identified the affected area, we will contain it to prevent the spread of mold spores. This includes setting up physical barriers, such as plastic sheeting, to isolate the area and using negative air pressure to ensure that contaminated air doesn't spread to other parts of the building. Our containment measures will also protect the occupants of the property from exposure to mold spores during the remediation process.


Removal: What Mold Remediation Means


Using specialized equipment such as HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers, we will remove the mold from the affected area. Our team of certified professionals are trained in the proper techniques for removing mold, and we take all necessary precautions to ensure that the mold is removed safely and effectively.


Cleaning: What Mold Remediation Means


After the mold has been removed, we will clean and disinfect the affected area to remove any remaining mold spores. This process is critical in ensuring that the mold doesn't return and that the area is safe for reoccupancy. We use only the highest-quality cleaning solutions and techniques to ensure that the area is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.


Preventing Mold in Your Home


The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some steps you can take to prevent mold growth in your home:


  • Keep indoor humidity levels low. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioning to reduce humidity levels.
  • Fix any leaks or water damage as soon as they occur.
  • Use exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room to remove moisture from the air.
  • Properly ventilate your attic and crawl spaces.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent water damage.


Our Guarantee for Mold Remediation


We are confident in our ability to effectively remove mold from your property, and we offer a guarantee on our work. If the mold returns within a certain period of time, we will come back and address it at no additional cost to you.


Don't let mold growth continue to affect the health and structure of your property. Call us today at (207) 777-6020 or visit https://www.mattrainc.com/mold-remediation to schedule your mold remediation services with us.

Maine Attic Nightmares: Condensation, Mold, and Protecting Your Home

By Mattra Inc • August 18, 2025
That musty smell. The faint water stains on your attic ceiling. Maybe you’ve even spotted some unwelcome dark spots. If you’re a Maine homeowner, especially in our older homes, these could be signs of a serious problem brewing in your attic: condensation leading to mold growth. It's a more common issue than you might think, and it can have significant consequences for your home’s health and your wallet. Why is your Maine attic suddenly feeling like a rainforest? The culprit is often a perfect storm of factors we see frequently here at Mattra: a lack of proper air sealing and insufficient insulation. Think of your warm, humid indoor air rising into the colder attic space. Without proper air barriers, this warm, moisture-laden air sneaks through cracks and openings around wiring, plumbing, and light fixtures. Once this warm, moist air hits the cold surfaces in your uninsulated attic – like the roof sheathing – it cools rapidly. Just like water beading on a cold glass on a summer day, this cooling air releases its excess moisture in the form of condensation. And in a Maine winter, those surfaces stay cold for a long time! Several other common issues exacerbate this problem. That uninsulated attic hatch? It’s a direct pathway for warm, humid air to escape. An uninsulated chimney acts as another cold surface where condensation can form. And those bathroom and dryer vents that aren’t properly ducted to the outside? They’re pumping even more moisture directly into your attic – a recipe for disaster. So, what happens when all this condensation builds up? That’s where mold enters the picture. Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and out. They thrive in damp, dark environments with organic materials to feed on – like the wood in your attic. Consistent condensation provides the perfect breeding ground. As mold grows, it doesn't just create unsightly stains and that telltale musty odor. It actively deteriorates the materials it grows on. Over time, mold can weaken the structural integrity of your roof sheathing and rafters, leading to costly repairs. It can also damage any stored items in your attic. Beyond the structural damage, mold growth can also impact your indoor air quality. Mold spores can become airborne and circulate throughout your home, potentially triggering allergic reactions, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory issues for you and your family. As a licensed vendor with Efficiency Maine , we understand the importance of a healthy home environment. The good news? These attic issues are often fixable! Proper air sealing prevents that warm, humid air from entering the attic in the first place. Adequate insulation helps maintain a more consistent temperature in the attic, reducing those cold surfaces where condensation forms. Insulating the attic hatch and chimney are crucial details often overlooked. And ensuring your bathroom and dryer vents are correctly ducted to the exterior is essential for removing excess moisture from your home. Addressing attic condensation and mold growth is an investment in your home's long-term health and your family's well-being. If you suspect you have an issue in your Maine attic, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Contact the experts at Mattra right here in Lewiston. We can assess your attic, identify the sources of condensation, and recommend the best solutions for mold remediation and preventing future problems through proper air sealing and insulation. Protecting your Maine home starts from the top down!

Blower Door Test

By Mattra Inc • April 3, 2025
Is Your Home Under-Insulated and Leaky? A Blower Door Test Can Tell You Many Maine homeowners don’t realize just how much money is flying out the window—literally. Drafty rooms, cold floors, and rising energy bills are often signs of poor insulation and hidden air leaks. But how do you know where your home is losing heat? A blower door test is one of the most effective tools to identify under-insulated and under-sealed areas in your home. Let’s explore how it works, why it matters, and what steps you can take to improve your home’s energy efficiency—and unlock valuable Efficiency Maine rebates in the process. What Is a Blower Door Test? A blower door test uses a powerful fan, mounted into an exterior doorway, to pull air out of your home and lower the indoor air pressure. This forces outside air in through any cracks or gaps in the building envelope. The result? A clear picture of where your home is leaking air. This test measures air changes per hour (ACH) and identifies weak points in insulation and air sealing. It helps assess how well your home keeps conditioned air in—and the outdoor elements out. An experienced technician can use this data to recommend targeted upgrades, saving you money on heating and cooling costs. How to Pass a Blower Door Test: Key Air Sealing Tips Passing a blower door test doesn’t require a full renovation—it’s about sealing the right places effectively. Here are the most common areas to focus on: 🪟 Windows and Doors Install weather stripping Use caulk or foam sealant around frames Check for gaps in thresholds or broken seals 🧱 Attics and Ceilings Seal around light fixtures and access hatches Insulate attic floors and rafters Use foam board or spray foam in hard-to-reach corners 🧰 Basements and Crawlspaces Seal rim joists with spray foam Insulate basement walls and floors Cover and seal crawlspace vents and doors 🧹 Floors and Walls Fill gaps around pipes, wiring, and ducts Seal baseboards and floor edges Add insulation in wall cavities if accessible By addressing these common problem areas, you can drastically improve your blower door test results and the overall comfort of your home. Why Blower Door Testing Matters Blower door tests aren’t just for code compliance—they’re a diagnostic tool to understand your home's efficiency. When performed by professionals, these tests: Reveal hidden air leaks Provide data for insulation and air sealing improvements Help reduce energy bills Improve indoor comfort and air quality Support home energy audit documentation During the test, technicians record the building's air leakage rate using calibrated gauges. Smoke pencils or infrared cameras may also be used to visualize the leaks. This ensures your energy upgrade dollars go exactly where they’re needed most. Mattra Handles It All—Testing, Air Sealing, and Insulation Ready to make your home more energy-efficient? Mattra offers professional blower door tests. At Mattra, we don’t just tell you what needs to be fixed—we do the work for you. As a licensed insulation and air sealing contractor, we can take your blower door test results and turn them into real improvements. From sealing drafty basements to upgrading attic insulation, our team handles every step in-house. That means fewer headaches for you—and faster results. Plus, we’ll help you navigate the Efficiency Maine rebate process , so you can maximize your savings without lifting a finger. One test. One team. One solution. Let Mattra make your home warmer, tighter, and more energy efficient—starting today.