Information to help get you started

Mold problems affect people from every walk of life. It’s always a problem to avoid, but when you have it in your home or business, you must eventually face it, and handle it! The longer you wait, or ignore it, the more potentially harmful it can become for you, both physically and financially. First, there is a little bit of denial that it is even a problem. Once it has sunk in though (because you keep seeing or smelling it), you’re faced with how to solve the problem.

The problem of mold itself is probably more complex than you first realized too! Mold problems usually require a strict remediation protocol be followed if you truly want to solve the problem once and for all. Not everyone (even some of those in the mold remediation business) is knowledgeable enough about mold and the problems associated with remediation to design the proper and strict protocol for your specific problem or situation. If the proper sequence of remediation steps are not followed, then cross contamination can occur. Cross contamination means the mold problem passed from wherever it was originally located to other rooms or areas, usually when the mold colony is disturbed. This is why properly constructed containments need to be built, for the right areas, and combined with either a negatively or positively charged air environment by using air scrubbers. This is how the problems are contained and don’t cross contaminate areas which aren’t affected. When cross contamination occurs, it can be a minor situation requiring no more than HEPA vacuuming and running an air scrubber, or it can be more problematic requiring more “cleaning”.

So, if you’ve decided you might have a mold problem, what do you need to do? Let me begin by explaining what the I.I.C.R.C. (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, Restoration, and Certification) recommends for proper mold remediation. Proper remediation begins with identification of the mold, and quantities in the air, through a sampling process. A simple tape sample will identify the type or species of mold when attached to the visible colony and sent to a lab. An air sample is usually taken in the areas concerned about to identify what is going on, and whether the mold is airborne or not. If the mold is there it is most likely airborne. When an air sample is taken, a second air sample is also taken outside, and this outside sample is used as a baseline for “normal” levels of mold. If your indoor air sample has much higher quantities (or even types of mold not found on the outside sample), then this is a red flag. These air samples are taken in the following way. A calibrated pump is used to pull a metered amount of air through a special cassette. The cassette has a membrane in it which captures the tiny particles as the air passes through for say, a five minute period. All the samples are taken for the exact same amount of time, and metered at the same amount of airflow from the pump. This enables us to get a scientific photograph of what is happening in the environment in your home or office. If your outdoor samples showed, for instance, a 20 count of pennicillium/aspergillus, and on the indoor sample the same type of mold showed 15,000 to 20,000, it’s obvious you have a problem.  A stachybatros type of mold might be a flag there is a longer term moisture intrusion, such as a leaky pipe or roof leak. Some molds can be more harmful than others, even toxic. Identification from sampling is beneficial to know what you’re dealing with and how to address the problem. Some of our customers have been hospitalized not knowing their health problems were associated to molds. Severe headaches, nosebleeds, memory loss, are just a few symptoms that have been found associated with troubling mold problems. Everyone has an immune system and body type differences which are affected differently too. Some may not see any symptoms where another experiences acute problems. Children have undeveloped immune systems and elderly many times have a compromised immune system. Cancer patients or survivors fit this last category.

Explanation of all this is helpful in understanding the problem and the process to solve it. Hiring a professional who also understands the problem and process enough to do the job to standard is important. If you understand enough you can be educated in hiring the correct professional. I hope this article is helping you achieve a comfortable and successful mold remediation in your home or office.

Well, the next step after testing is to have the remediation done. The person testing for mold should consult with the remediation company and combined they will develop the remediation protocol to solve the problem. The remediation company follows the instructions and remediation of the mold problem is accomplished. The tester will then come back and do “post-testing” to quantify scientifically the job was successful. These tests verify the work was done properly and scientifically validates it. This is important for a couple of reasons. For the property owner, it provides documentation to prove the mold remediation was handled properly and professionally. With this documentation, a future potential buyer for the property cannot beat you down on price. Disclosure of these problems (and water damage) is the law for real estate contracts, so handling the problem professionally gives all parties involved freedom from liability. An important benefit here too is that when you lay your head down on your pillow at night, you can rest easy. No worries about what you’re breathing!