Mold Remediation.
It's a term that's thrown around and used too casually. Unfortunately for consumers, that leads to confusion and room for misinformation. In an effort to simplify and clarify what mold remediation is (and is not), let's refer to the most trusted standard in the mold remediation industry, the IICRC S-520.
Mold remediation includes four primary steps, each with specific sub-steps to ensure understanding, safety, protocol and results. The steps are:
No. Understanding the definition of mold remediation allows you to discern between services and their value. As you can probably tell, by definition, mold remediation is an expensive process because it is exceptionally detailed, precise, and measurable. However, everyone has different goals and limitations which may be impacted by budget and time.
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The following sections of this page will help you understand everything from traditional mold remediation services through very specific and budget-minded mold services to help you zero in on the right services for you.
Does this mean that other mold services have no value?
A Quick Word on "killing mold".
Killing mold is not the goal of remediation. The goal of remediation is to produce an environment with visibly clean and dust free surfaces, where moisture driver have been eliminated in order to maintain the space as a Condition 1 environment. While antimicrobial products can be used to help accomplish this goal, the most important principle is "clean under control".
Download this comprehensive guide to selecting a remediation contractor for your home.
CONDITION
The first step in assessing your property is to determine "Condition". The term Condition is not the state of your property; but rather, it is a technical term that drives remediation procedures and results. There are three possible Conditions.
By understanding Condition, it's fairly simple to make sense of recommended remediation procedures following your inspection.
Mold Severity Index™
Once the Condition of an environment is determined, the next step is determining its Mold Severity Index™. An environment can have a single Mold Severity Index or multiple. Your Enviroguard Certified Firm will map out and share your unique Mold Severity Index™ with you upon the completion of your inspection.
Conducive Conditions
In simple terms, Conducive Conditions are defined as any variable contributing to the problem. In terms of mold, Conducive Conditions include variables like:
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Moisture - water damage, leaks, water intrusion, condensation, humidity, dew point, and moisture content
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Soil load - organic contamination supporting current/future mold growth
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Obstructions - debris, building materials and/or landscaping that restricts airflow, restricts drainage or that attracts moisture
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Structural Defects - issues pertaining to deteriorated or missing building materials, exterior grading, drainage, ventilation, moisture release, thermal bridging, insulation, air intrusion and foundation deformations
Following Inspection
Take the time to sit down with your Systems Specialist to understand the images, reading and illustrations that have been prepared for you. The more you understand, the more confident you'll feel in making final decisions regarding service levels as compared to your accomplish list.
Selecting Mold Services
Below, we'll walk through various mold services. As we discussed above, some of them are specifically aimed at aesthetics or short term control, while others are comprehensive and long term. A Systems Specialist will consult you to determine the best value for your property and unique circumstances.
Oxidizing Settled Mold Spores in Condition 2 Environments
Chlorine dioxide is an oxidative gas that has an incredible ability to destroy bio film and organic contaminants. In studies by the EPA, it has been shown to disintegrate mold spores under specific and controlled dwell times.
EPA registered Dutrion chlorine dioxide is available in two powder kit sizes making it simple and convenient to adjust to small and large jobs alike without waste.
Mold Stain Removal
Condition 3 Environment
While mold stain removal isn't mold remediation, it is budgetarily friendly and effective in producing a surface that appears to be restored. It should be known that mold stain removal does not eliminate spores, bio-film or soil load which may be conducive conditions that support future mold growth.
OxyPrep is an instant mold stain remover that when applied to the point of saturation, works within 10-30 seconds.
Mold Severity Index 1 Condition 3 Environment
Light sporadic growth requires a complete cleaning procedure. This is because once a Condition 3 environment exists, microscopic mold spores have proliferated the environment in addition to the visible growth.
Oxypar LR is a hydrogen peroxide based cleaner that reacts with mold on contact. The reaction results in a visible agitating foam that identifies, lift and suspends the contaminant from the surface for thorough cleaning and extraction.
Mold Severity Index 2
Condition 3 Environment
Light sporadic growth and staining requires complete a stain removal and cleaning procedure. This is because in addition to the Condition 3 environment, embedded pigmentation staining inhibits surfaces from appearing as "pre-loss".
REACT | EXTRACT, the process of using OxyPrep as a pretreatment for stain removal followed by Oxypar LR as the reactant, create a neutralization reaction that not only agitates, lifts and suspends contamination for extraction but also leave the surface with a neutral pH to prevent against degradation of like wood but also corrosion of metal construction materials.
Once surfaces are clean, a 400ppm solution of Dutrion is applied to all surfaces to eliminate any remnant mold, bacteria, algae and bio-film.
Mold Severity Index 3
Condition 3 Environment
Consistent embedded growth and sporadic staining requires a dual REACT | EXTRACT™ cleaning procedure. The second reaction ensures that any remnant soil load within the surface is extract for a truly "visibly clean and dust free surface" per IICRC S-520.
REACT | EXTRACT, the process of using OxyPrep as a pretreatment for stain removal followed by Oxypar LR as the reactant, create a neutralization reaction that not only agitates, lifts and suspends contamination for extraction but also leave the surface with a neutral pH to prevent against degradation of like wood but also corrosion of metal construction materials.
Once surfaces are clean, a 400ppm solution of Dutrion is applied to all surfaces to eliminate any remnant mold, bacteria, algae and bio-film.
Mold Severity Index 4
Condition 3 Environment
Both consistent embedded growth and staining defines Mold Severity Index 4. In this case, a triple REACT | EXTRACT™ cleaning procedure is recommended for producing a clean and restored surface that, besides some possible rot, appears "pre-loss" and is structurally sound.
REACT | EXTRACT, the process of using OxyPrep as a pretreatment for stain removal followed by Oxypar LR as the reactant, create a neutralization reaction that not only agitates, lifts and suspends contamination for extraction but also leave the surface with a neutral pH to prevent against degradation of like wood but also corrosion of metal construction materials.
Once surfaces are clean, a 400ppm solution of Dutrion is applied to all surfaces to eliminate any remnant mold, bacteria, algae and bio-film.
Recurrence Prevention
On average, we sell our homes every seven years. The goal of proper remediation and necessary moisture controls centers on three big picture items:
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Preserving your property’s value
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Eliminating non-disclosure liabilities
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Limiting price negotiations when it comes time to sell
Preventing the recurrence of moisture issues is sometimes solved with repairs and at other times, the proper installation of active and/or passive moisture controls. Talk with your Enviroguard Certified Firm about a permanent recurrence prevention strategy for your property.
