Mold Remediation Services
Mold remediation is one of the most misunderstood maladies a home or business owner can face. Despite the fact that mold has been around forever, it has only recently become the focal point of increased claims and litigation, as well as a degree of media sensationalism and consumer angst.
Construction techniques have changed greatly over the last few years and structures now are sealed tighter to prevent energy loss. This in turn has reduced air movement within those structures and increased the risk of mold growth due to stagnant air.
The end result is that property owners face increased exposure to a health risk that was relatively insignificant in the past. In addition, rental property owners and real estate management companies have greater liability risks from tenants who may be affected by mold growing in a home, and business owners are left exposed to potential claims by customers and employees.
Compounding the problem is that mold remediation is a completely unregulated industry. There are no mandated standards of care from any governmental agency, which means that property owners uneducated in the proper way to remediate mold have no way to ensure that the job has been done correctly.
While there are no mandated standards of care for the mold remediation industry, the following government agencies and trade groups have published guidelines for proper remediation procedures. Reputable firms will follow these standards of care to assure your safety and we encourage you to educate yourself on the remediation process:
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments (PDF)
United States Environmental Protection Agency:
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home (PDF)
Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings (PDF)
Mold Remediation Guide for Professionals (PDF)
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification:
S520 Mold Remediation Standard (Web link)
Indoor Air Quality Association:
Official Website (link)
Mold Remediation Procedures
When performed correctly, the remediation of any significant amount of mold is a four-step process:
- An independent, third-party industrial hygienist should perform initial testing and write a remediation protocol.
- A remediation contractor should perform the remediation according to the guidelines set forth in the hygienist’s protocol.
- The industrial hygienist should perform clearance testing to ensure that the remediation has been completed satisfactorily.
- The affected area can now be rebuilt.
Things to remember when choosing a remediation contractor:
Always retain the services of an independent, third-party industrial hygienist. It is a conflict of interest for any remediation company to tell you that you have mold, perform the remediation, and then tell you the job is done correctly. Even if they send samples out to a laboratory, the results can be biased. An industrial hygienist works for you, not the remediation contractor, and will provide you with unbiased scientific proof that the job is done correctly. Mold spores are too small to be seen with the naked eye. A good remediation contractor like PuroClean knows this and will require that a hygienist be used to ensure that they have performed their duties satisfactorily and that your house is safe.
The goal of mold remediation is NOT to kill the mold, it is to REMOVE the mold. Many companies will tell you that their chemical will kill or encapsulate the mold. This does not remove the mold spores. The only way to remove the danger is to remove the mold by air filtration, HEPA vacuuming, wiping, sanding, and soda or dry ice blasting. The application of an anti-microbial is not usually recommended in a protocol because it should not ever be needed. If the mold has been removed, what is there left to treat?
A company that only performs mold remediation has a very large disincentive to tell you that their services are not needed. The guidelines state that most mold remediations can be performed by the homeowner or building maintenance personnel. PuroClean will advise you if this is the case and give you honest opinions and multiple options for the proper handling of your mold infestation.
We specialize in the following services:
- Containment and removal of affected materials
- HEPA negative air filtration and vacuuming
- Site preparation for replacement of affected material
- Professional deodorization
Our proven mold remediation techniques and professional staff make PuroClean your first and best choice if you suspect mold contamination.
Call the PuroClean office in Columbia, S.C., to put your loss behind you as quickly as possible.
