Mold remediation Includes 3 major phases

• DEMOLITION

• DECONTAMINATION

• DRY OUT

Step 1. Initial Mold Inspection

100% of mold remediation projects begin with a inspection.  Consequently this step cannot be skipped as it provides a mold removal expert with details needed to begin.

Critical information about effected areas is gathered during a mold inspection such as: primary and secondary mold damage.

• Primary damage includes the building materials of an effected area.

• Secondary damage includes the contents of an effected area.

Mold damage is not always easy for a homeowner to detect.

Damage behind walls and under cabinets is considered primary damage but is not always apparent. Secondary mold damage, like primary damage, is both subtle and apparent. For example, a dress can be obviously ruined by category 3 water. Likewise, a dress can have mold growing subtly along its seam.

Any damage discovered is recorded in both picture and video form. These notes are used to prepare an estimate.

• Industry standards do not require mold testing when mold appears to be present. Therefore, If a substance is believed to be mold, it is treated as if it is mold. This is a general standard and remains in effect unless mold testing confirms.

Common two common reasons why customers may request mold testing are:

• High Risk Health Occupants

• Disputes between tenants and property owners

Step 2. Create Mold Remediation Protocol

During the initial mold inspection measurements, a minimum of ten photos will be taken. However, it is more common for a mold expert to capture 20-30 photos, plus 1-2 videos of the affected area.

• Subsequently these photos and videos are used as evidence to support mold remediation recommendations and as notes used to create a mold removal protocol.
• Furthermore, pictures of what is affected and what is not affected will be taken, both inside and outside the home or office.  The main reason for these types of photos is professional liability.

Measurements, photos, and videos are used to reconstruct the effected zones. 

• Sketches of the contaminated areas are computer drafted and included with the estimate. 
• Organizing this information allows the mold inspector to present it to a customer in the easiest to understand format.

In other words, communication with a customer is key and helps to establish expectations for the completion of a mold remediation project.

Step 3. Mold Removal Containment

1. Mold remediation professionals should always take time to apply floor protection.

2. Relocate customer belongings to a safe zone.

3. Setup mold containment.

The points outlined above are quality assurance keys to success.  In fact, no mold remediation project should begin unless these preliminary actions have been taken.

• PROPER

• PREPARATION

• PREVENTS

• POOR

• PERFORMANCE

In addition to mold removal quality assurance, health and safety is also optimized.

At Mold Metrix our overall mission is to move a customer from Stress To Satisfaction.

Step 4. Air Quality Control

Air quality control is the number one safety concern of all mold remediation projects. 

There are two mold concern classifications:

• Structural Integrity

• Health

Air born mold levels less than 10% of the air born mold outside are not considered at risk.

This remains true, unless the customer falls into a high-risk group:

• Over age 65

• Asthma and Allergies

• Heart or Lung Issues

• Under age 2

• Pregnant

• Recovering from surgery

Preventing the spread of mold contamination to non-effected areas is the burden of the majority mold remediation company.   Therefore, proper air quality control measures must always be used in mold remediation.

Step 5. Demolition

Demolition is the mold removal aspect of mold remediation.

This involves surgical removal finishing construction such as:

• Drywall

• Cabinets

• Shelves

Content manipulation can also be included as part of demolition.  One example of this is removing and discarding moldy books, furniture, or other related items.

Step 6. Decontamination

After moldy materials have been safely removed from a work zone, structural decontamination can begin. 

“Fogging” the air with a mold killer is a violation of industry standard. 

• Surfaces must be wiped down and HEPA vacuumed

• Wooden surfaces must be exfoliated

• Mold staining addressed

• Maintain air quality standards under negative pressure

Step 7. Structural Drying

Structural drying is half the battle of mold remediation quality assurance. Likewise, this is also where many mistakes are made. 

After all the moldy material have been removed and the area has been decontaminated, the area must then be dried. 

If this important step is skipped or done improperly:

1. Mold infestation will continue

2. Remediation will fail

Step 8. Post Remediation Inspection and Testing

A mold remediation project manager should always thoroughly inspect a project upon completion for quality assurance.  All dry goals should be met such as:

• moisture content levels

• relative humidity

In certain cases, post mold remediation clearance testing is conducted and can be covered by insurance.

In mold removal projects where post remediation testing is requested, testing must be conducted while containment remains in place. 

Air samples taken after containment has been broken down cannot reflect the true microbial levels within the remediation zone. 

Samples may be collected by the hired remediation company but should be tested by an independent laboratory. 

Step 9. Final Mold Cleanup

The final mold cleanup is not a “white glove maids cleaning”, it is a final “construction cleanup.”

IICRC standard s520 states that the goal of this step is to achieve a clean dust-free environment. After the last cleanup is finished, the area can once again be inspected, and a certificate of mold remediation completion can be issued.