THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A MOLD REMEDIATION
COMPANY
Certifications
General
contractors may be qualified for many areas of construction but they are not
qualified to address mold remediation. Mold remediation requires certification
to ensure that proper guidelines are followed when remediating mold. If you do
not hire a certified professional to address your mold issue you run the risk
of having the mold return as well. Having anyone other than a certified firm address
your mold damage can then turn into a costly project in the long run.
The
Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
was created to govern contractors and work practices in the restoration
industry. The IICRC has designed guidelines for restoration work such as water damage, carpet cleaning,
fire and smoke damage clean up and mold removal. Rainbow International’s mold
remediation team is IICRC certified in Applied Microbial Remediation
The IICRC S520 Guidelines for Mold Remediation are the industry standards mold
remediation. Visit
http://www.iicrc.org/consumers/care/mold-remediation/ for more
information.
Better Business Bureau
Accredited
The
Better Business Bureau (BBB) was first established in 1912. This non-profit
entity’s sole purpose is to create a fair marketplace for personal
services. The Better Business Bureau runs
background checks and maintains a complaint history on companies who are
members. A track record of zero complaints reflects dedication to the company’s
clients. Certified mold remediation contractors should maintain an “A”
rating or better through the BBB in order to ensure reputable service to their
clients. Property owners can inspect a contractor’s BBB rating at bbb.org. As of 2014, Rainbow
International of South & West Suburbs has an A+.
Mold Testing
Just doing an air sample alone does not offer the
most definitive results. A full and thorough inspection is the only way to
definitively determine if you have a mold infestation and what the extent of it
is. Sometimes you cannot see mold but you can smell it. Mold remediation
contractors should first do a visual inspection to know what they are dealing
with. Mold is usually a symptom of a
bigger problem related to inadequate ventilation or a buildup of moisture. The
source of the problem should be addressed before remediation is performed to
ensure that mold does not return after it is cleaned up.
Moisture
measurements should be taken and mold samples should be collected to know what
strain of mold they are dealing with. Air samples are taken within the home to
see if the inside air shows mold spores that are different than the spores
outside of the home. This also determines if the mold count is higher inside
the home than outside. The amount of samples taken depends on the size of your
property and if you want the whole property tested or if you have certain areas
you are concerned about.
Rainbow
International offers thorough onsite evaluations and air sampling.
Air Quality
Association (IAQA)
Rainbow
International is associated with The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA). The
IAQA provides a national forum for the development and publication of voluntary
consensus standards for the assessment, remediation and management of indoor
environments. This quality control association offers indoor environmental quality standards,
related technical information, and services having recognized quality and applicability
that promote public health and safety, and the overall quality of life. See
more information about the IAQA at http://www.iaqa.org/.
Independent Industrial
Hygienists
Not
all jobs require air sampling on the front-end. Air sampling can be done in
house but all companies should send these samples to laboratories for the
analysis.
It
is recommend that all jobs be clearance tested by an accredited third party
Environmentalist or Industrial Hygienist after the work has been
performed. This eliminates the possibility of a conflict of interest and
manipulated test results. Industrial
Hygienists may be found at: https://webportal.aiha.org/Custom/ConsultantsSearch.aspx.
Mold Report
Once
the results are returned the laboratory data is then shared with you. Rainbow
International’s operations team goes over the results with you by explaining
what strain of mold you are dealing with and what the remediation process will
consist of.
Estimate
The
cost of mold remediation varies widely, depending on numerous factors. Factors
that influence the cost of mold remediation include:
- The
size and location of the area affected by mold
- Whether
or not there is mold in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning
system
- Whether
or not moldy materials can be cleaned or must be removed, safely disposed
of, and replaced (like insulation, drywall or carpet)
- Whether
or not mold developed after flooding with water that may have been
contaminated with sewage or other hazardous substances
The EPA recommends
that you do not attempt to remove mold yourself unless it is on a surface area
of no more than a 10 foot area. Each situation is different and circumstances dictate the
outcome of every job. On average, you can expect to pay in the high end of the
$1.15 - $3.02 per linear foot range for a licensed, bonded and insured
contractor and for complex or rush projects. Timing
is critical when you suspect you have a mold issue. The longer mold is left
untreated the more expensive remediation can become since spores spread rapidly
and are often airborne. Every day you delay just allows the problem to worsen
and this will end up costing your more in the long run.
The cost of
remediation is nothing compared to the importance of your health! Long term
exposure to mold can cause severe illness so mold should be addressed before it
is out of control and causes you to have health concerns.
Homeowners insurance
typically covers mold remediation
and removal ONLY if the problem
results from a direct peril that is covered under your policy. Insurance
usually doesn't cover mold issues that have resulted from chronic moisture,
deferred maintenance, or floodwaters (unless you carry flood insurance).
Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
in necessary to prevent illness or injury during a mold remediation
project. Remediators are at risk when performing mold remediation so the
proper equipment is needed to keep them protected.
Exposure to mold can cause reactions
to people who are not typically allergic to mold. Even short-term
exposure can lead to illness. Symptoms such as skin irritation, eye irritation,
chronic congestion, lung deficiencies, respiratory problems, and high fevers
are all linked to toxic mold exposure. There are many different strains of mold
and some strains are more toxic than others.
To protect against these reactions
and illnesses, the following PPE should be used at all times during mold
remediation:
§ Individually fitted respirator masks
§ Goggles without holes
§ 2 sets of gloves, tapped at the wrist
§ Boots
§ Full body protective suit
Mold Containment & HEPA Filters
Mold
spores can cross-contaminate other areas of your property whether they are dead
or alive. Simply touching a mold colony will cause spores to travel so
they can find a safer area to grow.
Certified
mold contractors use containment chambers to create a controlled environment
suitable for remediation. This ensures that spores that are discharged during mold mitigation will be contained within
this area. Even when mold is
dead, the remains can still cause health problems. A negative air filtration unit
will catch spores that are discharged and process them through a
commercial-grade HEPA filter. HEPA filters and air scrubbers are used to clean
spores and other particles out of the air. This is a standard process in Rainbow
International’s mold mitigation services.
EPA Mold Removal and Disposal
Practices
Many
people often wonder what happens to the contaminated materials after mold has been
removed. These questions are answered by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Like the IICRC, the EPA has
created a unique set of guidelines designed to protect those who are exposed to
mold. Certified mold remediation contractors must adhere to these EPA mold guidelines to ensure
the safety and health of their technicians and their clients. See more
information on mold on the EPA’s website: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/.
Since mold is a living organism and deeply
ingrains itself into materials to survive, it is best to dispose of any porous
building materials and personal belongings. Nonporous materials can be cleaned
with antimicrobial cleaners, and sealants may be used to make treated areas
more resistant. Rainbow International is able to determine which items are
salvageable and which need to be disposed of. Please note you may need
to have your heating and air conditioning systems professionally cleaned as
well too.
Reconstruction
The reconstruction process will begin after all
contaminated materials are removed and the spore counts inside your home are
the same as outside the home. In addition there shouldn't be mold in the home that isn't outside. Clean,
mold-free materials will replace what was previously contaminated.
Drying
Cleaned and repaired items should remain
thoroughly dry. Remember, excessive moisture is how the issue started. As a
result, your Rainbow International’s mold removal specialists will discuss
moisture management strategies to ensure your home doesn't encounter future
issues.
DID
YOU KNOW…..
It is impossible
to get rid of all mold spores indoors? Mold spores can always be found floating
through the air and in house dust. These mold spores are not a great cause for
concern and will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth
can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture
indoors.
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