Mold Remediation
Dealing With Mold
Mold remediation is an important consideration when dealing with almost any type of structural
damage. Although standards and procedures have been hotly debated and still vary, a
framework of basic standards is beginning to emerge. The prices in this chapter are primarily
based on the standards developed by the city of New York (recently updated) and by applying
the EPA's guidelines for mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings to residential
buildings. Accepting these guidelines as the basis for a mold remediation program seems to
be the closest thing to a standard in the industry. However, nearly everyone agrees that more
needs to be done to set widely recognized standards and procedures for mold remediation.
Mitigation
Mold issues point out the importance of immediately removing any source of invading
moisture. Mold can begin to grow immediately and can become a problem even when moisture
is removed within 24 to 48 hours. Paying for after-hours mitigation work to remove the source
of any moisture, dehumidifying, and aggressively drying items that sponsor mold is well worth
the cost.
Testing
Not all molds are judged to be as harmful as others. Most of the harmful types of molds have
been generally classified as "black molds." Black molds include aspergillus (more than 50
species), cladosporium, fusarium, stachybotrus chartarum, trichoderma, memnoniella, and
penicillium. Molds may emit both spores and gas and many are still hazardous even when they
are not alive. To get a clear picture of the types of molds present and the hazards they
present, testing may be necessary.
Mold Specialists
Mold remediation has reached a level of complexity where it is now generally considered that
only firms who specialize in mold should handle remediation. All workers involved in mold
remediation should be well trained and, when possible, certified. In many cases it is
advantageous to hire an environmental consultant to help determine the best process and to
oversee the work. The prices in this chapter assume that all work is done by qualified and
certified staff supervised by an environmental consultant or someone on staff with similar
credentials and abilities.
Containment
Severely mold-contaminated areas must be contained in ways that are similar to procedures
used when dealing with asbestos and other types of hazardous materials. Contaminated areas
must be sealed off from noncontaminated areas. Negative air pressure should be maintained
in the contaminated area so air-borne mold spores and gas will not escape. Ventilating fans
must filter any possible mold spores and gas from the air before it is ventilated to the exterior
of the contaminated areas. Entry and exit from the contaminated area must be done through a
decontamination area.
Personal Protection Equipment
All workers involved in mold remediation must wear personal protection equipment. Although
the level and type of the mold involved may change some aspects of the personal protection
equipment needed, in general, this chapter assumes workers wear a fit-tested half- or
full-force respirator with a HEPA, organic/chemical cartridge. Although the New York standards
suggest an N-95 rated mask in some circumstances, many specialists feel a better standard
for their employees is to always require a respirator. If an N-95 mask is judged to be sufficient,
care must be taken to ensure that the mask is actually N-95 rated. The N-95 mask looks very
similar to other types of masks often worn when doing routine demolition. However, the N-95
mask is substantially more effective than standard masks.
Mold remediation specialists should also wear nitrile disposable gloves or, when working with
debris that contains sharp edges, puncture-proof gloves. Workers should also wear level-B
protective clothing that covers both the head and feet.
Levels of Remediation
The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental &
Occupational Disease Epidemiology has issued a document called Guidelines on Assessment
and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments
(http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml). We highly recommend reading this
document and using it as a guideline. A key part of this document is the section titled
Remediation. This section discusses the types of remediation recommended for different
levels of mold growth. The prices in this chapter are based on this document's description of
Level III mold growth and above, although some items also apply to Level II.
TestingTestingCraft@Hrs Unit Material Labor Total
__________________________________________________________________________
For More Information
A large body of information about mold remediation is now available on the Internet. Typing
"Mold Remediation" in Google or a similar search engine will yield a wealth of results. We
recommend viewing the New York City standards
(http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml) and visiting the EPA's web site
(www.epa.gov/mold) as two excellent places to start.
Dealing With Mold
Mold remediation is an important consideration when dealing with almost any type of structural
damage. Although standards and procedures have been hotly debated and still vary, a
framework of basic standards is beginning to emerge. The prices in this chapter are primarily
based on the standards developed by the city of New York (recently updated) and by applying
the EPA's guidelines for mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings to residential
buildings. Accepting these guidelines as the basis for a mold remediation program seems to
be the closest thing to a standard in the industry. However, nearly everyone agrees that more
needs to be done to set widely recognized standards and procedures for mold remediation.
Mitigation
Mold issues point out the importance of immediately removing any source of invading
moisture. Mold can begin to grow immediately and can become a problem even when moisture
is removed within 24 to 48 hours. Paying for after-hours mitigation work to remove the source
of any moisture, dehumidifying, and aggressively drying items that sponsor mold is well worth
the cost.
Testing
Not all molds are judged to be as harmful as others. Most of the harmful types of molds have
been generally classified as "black molds." Black molds include aspergillus (more than 50
species), cladosporium, fusarium, stachybotrus chartarum, trichoderma, memnoniella, and
penicillium. Molds may emit both spores and gas and many are still hazardous even when they
are not alive. To get a clear picture of the types of molds present and the hazards they
present, testing may be necessary.
Mold Specialists
Mold remediation has reached a level of complexity where it is now generally considered that
only firms who specialize in mold should handle remediation. All workers involved in mold
remediation should be well trained and, when possible, certified. In many cases it is
advantageous to hire an environmental consultant to help determine the best process and to
oversee the work. The prices in this chapter assume that all work is done by qualified and
certified staff supervised by an environmental consultant or someone on staff with similar
credentials and abilities.
Containment
Severely mold-contaminated areas must be contained in ways that are similar to procedures
used when dealing with asbestos and other types of hazardous materials. Contaminated areas
must be sealed off from noncontaminated areas. Negative air pressure should be maintained
in the contaminated area so air-borne mold spores and gas will not escape. Ventilating fans
must filter any possible mold spores and gas from the air before it is ventilated to the exterior
of the contaminated areas. Entry and exit from the contaminated area must be done through a
decontamination area.
Personal Protection Equipment
All workers involved in mold remediation must wear personal protection equipment. Although
the level and type of the mold involved may change some aspects of the personal protection
equipment needed, in general, this chapter assumes workers wear a fit-tested half- or
full-force respirator with a HEPA, organic/chemical cartridge. Although the New York standards
suggest an N-95 rated mask in some circumstances, many specialists feel a better standard
for their employees is to always require a respirator. If an N-95 mask is judged to be sufficient,
care must be taken to ensure that the mask is actually N-95 rated. The N-95 mask looks very
similar to other types of masks often worn when doing routine demolition. However, the N-95
mask is substantially more effective than standard masks.
Mold remediation specialists should also wear nitrile disposable gloves or, when working with
debris that contains sharp edges, puncture-proof gloves. Workers should also wear level-B
protective clothing that covers both the head and feet.
Levels of Remediation
The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental &
Occupational Disease Epidemiology has issued a document called Guidelines on Assessment
and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments
(http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml). We highly recommend reading this
document and using it as a guideline. A key part of this document is the section titled
Remediation. This section discusses the types of remediation recommended for different
levels of mold growth. The prices in this chapter are based on this document's description of
Level III mold growth and above, although some items also apply to Level II.
TestingTestingCraft@Hrs Unit Material Labor Total
__________________________________________________________________________
For More Information
A large body of information about mold remediation is now available on the Internet. Typing
"Mold Remediation" in Google or a similar search engine will yield a wealth of results. We
recommend viewing the New York City standards
(http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml) and visiting the EPA's web site
(www.epa.gov/mold) as two excellent places to start.
MOLD REMOVAL PROCESS
We get rid of it forever!!!!!
We get rid of it forever!!!!!
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- First first part of our process (Customer Satisfaction). Meaning we
will be with you all the way. Walking you through the project from contents
protection to temporary housing and finally helping you get back into your mold free
home. - Mold inspection will include testing(air quality test), Air cleaning
to insure safety of your home while drywall removal is being
done. We will remove and store all your contents (cabinetry,
counter tops, fixtures, doors, and all items not contaminated. - We will protect all flooring and electrical. Remove all
Contaminated drywall and framing. (framing removal will only be
needed were wood has been wet for long periods of time). - Air scrubbing making sure that air quality is mold free.
- Install new mold resistant drywall to insure homes future.
- Repainting home using low VOC for better air quality and better
radiant factor(help you save money on your electrical bill). - Reinstall cabinetry, counter tops, doors and fixture. If removed
replace all of homes contents. Take final air quality test(to make
sure everything is mold free). - Finally making sure we and you have followed the process from
customer satisfaction through bringing you home to a mold free
living enviroment.
P.S We live in and work daily in these homes. Are job is to clean
them up and make them a home again.
Below we have explained our process in more detail. We follow these
practices so that we follow the same industry guide lines or protocol
as our competitors.