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Subfloor Mould Remediation in Wollstonecraft: The PPE Our Team Wears and Why
By Michael Nguyen | Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) | IICRC WRT, AMRT, ASD (69486970) | Mould Testing Technician (NAT10913005) | Licensed Builder NSW 392154C (Supervisor, KBL+RENO)
Subfloors are one of the dirtiest places we work. They are tight, dark and dusty, and once you start sanding mouldy timber the air fills with spores and fine particles. Last week we carried out a subfloor mould remediation in Wollstonecraft on Sydney's Lower North Shore, so this post shows the job and the personal protective equipment (PPE) our team wears to do it safely.
The Job: Bathroom Leak Into the Subfloor
The bathroom's waterproofing membrane had failed, and water had been leaking down through the floor into the subfloor timbers and substrate underneath. Over time the wet timber became water damaged and mould grew on it.
If your bathroom is above a subfloor and you notice a musty smell, damp or stained timber under the house, or mould coming back after cleaning, a mould and moisture inspection will find the source.
Why Full PPE Matters in a Subfloor
Mould remediation disturbs mould on purpose: we sand, scrape and vacuum it off. That releases spores and fragments into the air, and in a subfloor there is very little room for it to clear. Sanding also creates fine timber dust. The right PPE protects the technician's lungs, eyes and skin, and stops contamination being carried out of the subfloor and into the house on clothing and boots.
The PPE Our Team Wears
Full-face respirator with twin filter cartridges. Protects the lungs from spores and dust, and the eyes from dust and treatment spray. A half-face mask leaves the eyes exposed, which matters when you are working overhead.
Disposable hooded coveralls. Cover the body and hair so spores and dust don't settle on clothing and get carried back through the home. They are removed before leaving the work area.
Gloves taped at the wrists. Taping closes the gap between glove and sleeve, so dust can't get in when reaching up into floor joists.
Boot covers taped at the ankles. Stop contaminated dust being tracked out of the subfloor and through the house.
Head torch. Keeps both hands free in a dark subfloor, which is safer when sanding and handling equipment.
Wearing PPE properly is part of following the IICRC S520 Standard for professional mould remediation, which puts worker and occupant safety first.
Our Subfloor Mould Remediation Process
Step 1: Mechanical Sanding of the Subfloor
We mechanically sanded the mould-affected subfloor timbers to physically remove the mould growth from the surface of the wood. Mould has to be removed, not just sprayed, so sanding is the main step on timber that can be reached.
Step 2: Treating Areas That Can't Be Reached
Some areas of a subfloor can't be sanded, such as tight gaps, joints and the underside of the substrate. We treated these non-accessible areas with Actichem Percide, an antimicrobial treatment, to deal with mould where mechanical removal isn't possible.
Step 3: HEPA Sandwich Clean
Next we used the HEPA sandwich method: HEPA vacuum, damp wipe, then HEPA vacuum again. This collects the spores, sanding dust and residue left behind. Read more about why HEPA vacuuming is a critical step.
Step 4: Drying With Fans and Dehumidifiers
Finally we set up fans and dehumidifiers to dry the subfloor timbers and substrate. Drying is what stops the mould coming back, along with fixing the bathroom waterproofing so the leak doesn't return.
Mould Removal on the Lower North Shore
We carry out mould remediation and water damage restoration in Wollstonecraft and across the Lower North Shore. See also our planter box leak and structural drying job in Lane Cove and our subfloor mould remediation in Leichhardt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean subfloor mould myself?
We don't recommend it. Sanding or scraping mould in a confined subfloor releases a lot of spores and dust, and without a full-face respirator, coveralls and HEPA equipment you can breathe it in and spread it through the house.
Why wear a full-face mask instead of a dust mask?
A disposable dust mask doesn't seal well and doesn't protect the eyes. A fitted full-face respirator with filter cartridges seals to the face and protects both the lungs and eyes.
Why tape gloves and boot covers?
Taping closes the gaps at the wrists and ankles, so dust and spores can't get onto skin or clothing while working in the subfloor.
What causes mould in a subfloor?
Usually moisture: leaking bathrooms or pipes above, poor subfloor ventilation, or ground water. In this Wollstonecraft home it was a failed bathroom waterproofing membrane.
About the Author
Michael Nguyen is the director of AAA Mould Removal and leads our water damage and mould remediation work across Sydney. His qualifications include:
Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) – Testing Water-Damaged Buildings, Australian College of Environmental Studies (RTO 21740), 2026. Includes nationally recognised units NAT11429003 Conduct a comprehensive mould and moisture assessment and NAT11429007 Conduct post remediation verification mould testing (11429NAT Advanced Diploma of Building Biology)
IICRC Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT)
IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT)
IICRC Applied Structural Drying (ASD), IICRC no. 69486970
Mould Testing Technician (NAT10913005)
Licensed Builder NSW 392154C (Supervisor, Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry and Renovation)
Carpentry Licence
Worried About Mould or Water Damage?
Call AAA Mould Removal on 1300 739 783 or contact us online. We will find the moisture, remove the mould properly and dry your home to IICRC standards.
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