Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing
more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
What is Mold?
Mold is found everywhere- both outdoors and indoors. It can easily ride the air current into a home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. The airborne spores outside can also attach to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets, and be brought inside a home.
The problem occurs when these spores come into contact with moist environments, like a leaky roof or flooded area inside. If they find these conditions, they can colonize. Molds’ versatility allows them to grow well on almost any surface and ingest a wide range of compounds, like dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, fabric, cardboard, and carpets.
What does that mean for you?
1.
Moisture is pretty much the only necessity spores are missing to start growing in your own home.
2.
Mold species come in a variety of colors and have different properties. Some are toxic inherently and some can produce microscopic toxins called mycotoxins. Exposure to these compounds can also negatively impact your health.
3.
If you can see mold or smell a musty odor, you have a health hazard in your home. The effect of mold exposure on individuals can vary greatly, so matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it.
4.
For those without a current mold situation, taking preventative measures now can help stop mold growth before it starts.
How big is mold?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Types of mold
Alternaria
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquat enim ad minim veniam nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Aspergillus
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquat enim ad minim veniam nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Chaetomium
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquat enim ad minim veniam nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Where/How does mold grow?
Video of mold as seed, highlight fact that most mold is hidden.
highlight fact that most mold is hidden
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Lorem Ipsum is simply
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Lorem Ipsum is
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
What are Mycotoxins?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
But no one wants to read that much text! If that's something you're worried about with a sales page like this, keep in mind that the closer someone gets to making a purchase decision, the more likely they are to hunt for specific information. Your most valuable prospects are more likely to leave when there's not enough information than if there's too much
By the way: short paragraphs and highlight boxes like the one above are a great way to keep the text light and easy to read. Don't overwhelm your visitors with a "wall of text".
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Some of your visitors will be readers and others will be scanners. The readers will start at the top and read every. single. word. until they reach the end of the page (or until they can't wait any longer and decide to buy). The scanners, on the other hand, will skip about looking for things that catch their attention.
Keep in mind: the scanners want to be convinced just as much as the readers do, they are just looking for information in a different way.
What you're reading right now a text block consisting of a heading and a section of text. Break up all of your content into blocks like this to make everything easier to read, easier to understand and easier to navigate. You'll also notice that none of the paragraphs here are more than 4-5 lines high (on a large screen, anyway. Yes - this page is fully mobile responsive).
What are bacteria?
Bacteria and its byproducts are often overlooked during remediation protocols, but it’s a massively important part of detoxifying a home. Leaving these contaminants in a home means adverse health reactions can and will continue.
The proof is in the research. The University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, for example, identified that bacterial contamination in water-damaged buildings can cause health problems like infections and respiratory conditions. When combined with the potential side effects from mold and toxin exposure, it’s easy to see why bacteria should be included in home remediation!
Lorem ipsum #1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, duius consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, duius consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum 3
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, duius consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
How do you find mold?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
History of Mold and Water Damage
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
But no one wants to read that much text! If that's something you're worried about with a sales page like this, keep in mind that the closer someone gets to making a purchase decision, the more likely they are to hunt for specific information. Your most valuable prospects are more likely to leave when there's not enough information than if there's too much
Health Impacts of Mold and Water damage buildings
(Why should I care
about mold and water
damage?)
- 1A 2007 EPA report concluded that mold in indoor environments was the direct cause of over 4.6 million cases of asthma in the United States.2
The report found that the economic cost of asthma attributed directly to indoor dampness and mold exposure was approximately $3.5 billion.2-A study reported a presentation given by Dr. Jordan Peccia of Yale University in March 2021 found that 47% of homes in the United States have visible mold/water damage.3 - 2A 2016 study by Dr. Karen Dannemiller of The Ohio State University found that 6.8 million children in the U.S. suffer from asthma. In addition, they found that a majority of people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors.
- 3Reviews from Europe and the United States also concluded that there is sufficient scientific evidence to conclude that there is an association between dampness and mold in buildings and an increased risk of health effects for building occupants.
Where do I start if I have or suspect water damage?
Step 1.
What most people are trying to determine is if they have an indoor mold source. So, you want to determine if you have normal fungal ecology INSIDE your home – an environment that has only been affected by mold from OUTSIDE..
Step 2.
There is no such thing as a mold free home! Mold is going to exist outside/inside BUT the type of mold and its location matter(you do not want ANY active or dormant mold growth inside your home.)
Step 3.
There are NO perfect tests or tools. Each test has specific purposes and limitations. Therefore, a multipronged approach is best in your investigation!
Step 4.
There is NO set or defined criteria saying how much of a certain type of mold is safe. For example, 13 spores of mold X is safe but 14 is going to cause health problems. (What is safe for you is going to be different than what is safe for someone else. Your body, genetics, exposure level, overall toxicity, preexisting conditions, sensitivities, etc., means finding a “safe” home is going to vary by person. Not sure how to phrase this concept)
Step 5.
A proper sampling plan includes a combination of source sampling and cross contamination sampling. Source sampling is intended to identify where the physical mold growth is occurring. Cross contamination sampling is intended to understand how source areas have contaminated the rest of your home, belongings, and HVAC system. (like building a sampling plan from Brian Karr’s pocast)
Step 6.
Most importantly, the environment created by water damaged buildings is complex. Mold is not the only thing to worry about. Mycotoxins, mVOCs, bacteria and endotoxins are some of the potentially harmful products that grow in a water damaged environment. If you are sensitive, consider working with an IEP that understands the importance of testing for each one.
Pros and Cons of the ERMI
(Note: This is all based on my opinion. I am NOT an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP), so please defer to a trusted IEP before making any decisions on the safety or remediation needs of your home.)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Resources to find a quality IEP/IH
Questions to ask when interviewing an IEP/IH.
Question 01
What do you do for post remediation verification? What constitutes a pass/fail for a remediation company?
Question 02
What types of testing do you do? How do you perform each type of test? How do you use that testing to inform your recommendations?
Question 03
Have you worked with sick and sensitive individuals before? Does your process/recommendation change in that case? If so, how?
Question 04
How do you take into account the previous history of the home?
Question 05
What does a remediation protocol that you write typically entail? What standards or guidelines do you write your protocol around?
Question 06
Do you test for and address cross contamination in the rest of the home? If so, how?
Question 07
What do you do for post remediation verification? What constitutes a pass/fail for a remediation company?
Question 08
What information can I expect in my report? Are pictures included? Is a remediation plan included that I can give my remediation company or is that an extra fee?
Question 09
Do you communicate with the remediation company if questions or issues arise?
Question 10
What does a typical mold inspection look like? Is there anywhere you won’t look during your investigation? Does your investigation include the entire home (including exterior areas as well as attics/basement/crawlspace/HVAC? How do I prepare my home for your visit?
click to see presentation
What does good remediation look like?
Overview of steps like (set up proper containment, establish proper pressure and engineering controls, demolition/removal of moldy/water damaged area, cleaning inside containment…)
Why cleaning the rest of your home matters (including addressing
HVAC and ducts)/how to do it
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
What does good remediation look like
The decision to remediate is complicated. Just because you can remediate doesn’t always mean it’s the best choice. There are physical, financial, emotional, and logistical considerations. You need to be sure you have a full understanding of the scope of the work and access to the right professionals to complete it. Should you decide to remediate, finding a *quality* remediation company is key.
Mold remediation is not a very regulated business. It doesn’t take much for a company to go into the business. The biggest mistake you will make is not hiring a qualified company who understands the dangers of mold/toxins and takes proper precautions. Most remediation fails, in part, from poor practices. If proper containment, air pressure, PPE, removal, cleaning, etc. aren’t done correctly, you could end up spreading millions of spores and mycotoxins throughout your house. That means you and your family could get sick(er).
The best mold companies often aren’t the fastest or cheapest (they aren’t necessarily the most expensive either!) And that is because it takes time, skill, desire, and proper materials to do it effectively. If you find mold, don’t panic and hire the first company you call because they can get you in the fastest or cheapest. Vet the company thoroughly.
The remediation company you hire should follow at a minimum the ANSI IICRC S520 standards. Hopefully, you already worked with an IEP/IH to write a remediation protocol following these standards and outlined the scope of the work. If not, see Guide #1 on finding an IEP.
A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS ON MOLD:
THE ANSI IICRC S520 STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL MOLD REMEDIATION
There are little to no laws on mold remediation. This means that just about anything can be called remediation. Unfortunately, ineffective practices are the norm. So, what constitutes good remediation practices? For starters, the information laid out by the ANSI IICRC S520. Training in and implementing these standards can be time consuming. Following these standards of practice is voluntary. Not ever company cares about what is safest for you. They focus on what’s easiest, fastest and cheapest for them. This is one reason it can take a lot of work to find a company who will is willing to follow these standards. To be frank, as person whose health was negatively impacted by mold, I am not alone in arguing that those sensitive or sick from mold may need to go even further than these standards by addressing the entire rest of the home, not just the area impacted by mold and water damage. I’ll address this in more detail at the end.
A few highlights from the S520 on why physical mold removal is preferred over other practices (spraying, bleaching, encapsulating, fogging, etc.)
Feature headline
“Physically removing mold contamination is the primary means of remediation. Mold contamination should be physically removed from the structure, systems and contents…. Attempts to kill, encapsulate or inhibit mold instead of proper source removal generally are not adequate.” [Section 4.4 – Principles Of Mold Remediation; page 18]
Feature headline
“Source removal of mold contamination should always be the primary means of remediation. Indiscriminate use of antimicrobials, coatings, sealants, and cleaning chemicals is not recommended.”
[Section 5.8.1 – Chemicals (Antimicrobials & Biocides); page 20]
Feature headline
“Porous building materials (e.g., drywall, insulation and ceiling tiles)… should be removed and discarded. Remediators should remove mold growth on wood framing members by HEPA-vacuuming followed by damp wiping, wire brushing, sanding, or other appropriate method.”
[Section 12.2.6 – Demolition & Surface Cleaning; pages 47-48]
Feature headline
“Using antimicrobials, fungicidal coatings, mold-resistant coatings, or sealants… during mold remediation as a substitute for proper source removal is discouraged. If [they are used], remediators should apply them after completion of remediation, and after completion of post-remediation verification, when necessary .”
[Section 12.2.9 – Clean-Up; page 50]
WHAT GOOD REMEDIATION DOES and DOES NOT LOOK LIKE:
This is video clip is worth watching in its entirety. David Myrick, owner of Valor Mold Remediation, begins by discussing why you don’t need harsh chemicals and common misconceptions about mold. Starting around minute 27 he goes through the 4 stages of remediation according to the s520. They are eight really informative minutes!
OVERVIEW OF REMEDIATION STEPS:
This is a very general explanation of a complex process. Always follow at a minimum the IICRC S520 Standards for Professional Mold Remediation and consult with the appropriate professionals.
Step 1 : SET UP PROPER CONTAINMENT
This step is critical to minimize the spread of spores, fragments, mycotoxins and other contaminates outside the work zone. Sloppy containment puts you and your family at risk! It is imperative that you minimize cross contamination from to the rest of your home. This is why you want these details spelled out clearly in your contract AND you as the client want to review and verify the day of remediation. These links are REALLY informative with great pictures showing good vs. bad containment.
Example #1: Our Doorframe Containment (The Right Way)
Example #1: Competitor Doorframe Containment (The Wrong Way)
Example #2: Our Doorframe Containment (The Right Way)
Example #2: Competitor Doorframe Containment (The Wrong Way)
Step 2 : SET UP PROPER AIR PRESSURE(usually negative air pressure).
This is also critical because mold spores and fragments are so tiny and no containment is 100% effective no matter how well its built. You need to be sure that the right pressure is establish inside the containment, so the air is brought outside. This is done with the use of a HEPA-filtered Air Filtration Device (AFD). There are two ways to use it:
Air filtering through the window via negative air pressure.
Step 3 : DEMOLITION
Workers should be in FULL PPE. Remove and discard moldy, wet, damaged materials. Move at least 2 feet beyond what is visibly damaged. For anything that can’t be removed, use appropriate abrasive measures like wire brushing, HEPA sanding, soda blasting, etc., to remove the mold and it’s roots. Be sure to discuss how moldy materials will be safely removed from containment to the outside. IMPORTANT: Do not rely on harsh chemicals or encapsulate over mold! They are almost NEVER needed. See the IICRC S520 or the video above for more detail.
IMPORTANT: Do not rely on harsh chemicals or encapsulate over mold! They are almost NEVER needed. See the IICRC S520 or the video above for more detail.
Step 4 : CLEAN UP
all the mold spores inside containment. This is the most time consuming part. HEPA vacuum, Damp wipe and then *possibly* HEPA vacuum again every square inch inside containment. Damp wiping doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals. For example, 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with 2% unscented 7th generation dishwashing soap will work. This combination allows the soap to be a surfactant and helps remove spores. The isopropyl alcohol is to denature the proteins in the mycotoxins and make them "unsticky" so they're easy to wipe up or vacuum up. (*It is debated wether a second HEPA vacuuming should be performed - see Greg Weatherman’s link below)
IMPORTANT: You must address cross contamination in the rest of the house. Listen to podcast below and see Guide #8.
POST REMEDIATION VERIFICATION/TESTING (PRV):
Important Do not skip this step! PRV should include a thorough visual indirection combined with air AND swab/tape samples. This is an instance air sampling inside your containment (AFTER remediation) but BEFORE to the containment being removed is a good idea. Taking an air sample outside containment to check for cross contamination may also be warranted. If proper procedures were followed then the air inside that space should be pretty pristine. After all, they theoretically removed all mold and toxins, cleaned, and ran air scrubbers for a significant period of time. The air samples taken inside the containment should be done in conjunction with physical swab/tape tests of the surfaces. The air might be clean but a swab/tape test will show if the mold remains on the physical surfaces. If you remove the containment then test, you’ve exposed your home to anything that may have been missed. DO NOT do this! Wait for clearance. There aren’t established guidelines on what is a “pass” or “fail.” Its important to discuss this AHEAD of time with your IEP and remediation company exactly what will constitute a pass or a fail.
IMPORTANT: No two remediation projects will look the same. This is a general overview. *There are key specifics that need to happen in each of these steps that are not addressed here. This is why you want details spelled out clearly in your contract!
Tip from personal experience: On the day remediation starts, you should review and verify with the crew on sight that day the details of your remediation project. Take the time to make sure everyone is still on the same page. I personally had one issue where the crew was NOT going toconstruct a decon chamber despite the fact it was written into the contract. If I had not taken the time to go over the plan with the remediation
team, we would not have had this crucial step.
4 Tips for Proper Mold Remediation
WRITTEN DISCLOSURE:
Remediation professionals must disclose, in writing, that they are deviating from the standard. This includes if they do both testing and remediation, as that is considered a conflict of interest. (What is their incentive to tell you that they did a bad job and the mold isn’t actually gone or worse?)
NO COATINGS IN LIEU OF MOLD REMOVAL
All testing must be done before any coatings are applied. Coatings do NOT provide a barrier to mold spores or their very toxic by-product, called ‘mycotoxins’.
NO FOGGING IN LIEU OF MOLD REMOVAL
Also, remediators should NOT mist or fog in an attempt to kill mold, in lieu of source removal.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE IN WRITING
Remediation and testing done by the same company presents a ‘complexity,’ which is required to be disclosed in writing per the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard. This is mentioned in the ANSI/IICRC webinar, as a ‘conflict of interest’. The person or company that does the testing should not be the same as the one who does the work, without proper disclosure. An unbiased confirmation of air quality status and successful remediation is always preferred and required by the ANSI, unless otherwise disclosed in writing.
10 Tips for Proper Containment
The EPA recommends full containment is recommended for the cleanup of mold contaminated surface areas greater than 100 square feet or in any situation in which occupants have reported health symptoms and it appears likely that the occupant space would be further contaminated without full containment.
Double layers of polyethylene should be used to create a barrier between the moldy area and other parts of the building. Install appropriate and full complete containment around the work areas, typically using 6-mil polyethylene sheeting to separate the mold abatement work area from other uncontaminated or occupied areas of the building, with access to a window or door included in the containment for exhausting air scrubbers. A double barrier is recommended, in which the contaminated inner layer can be removed after cleaning but before clearance approvals.
A decontamination chamber or airlock should be constructed for entry into and exit from the remediation area. An air-lock type vestibule is recommended for workers to remove contaminated protective gear and double bagged debris for proper disposal.
The entryways to the airlock from the outside and from the airlock to the main containment area should consist of a slit entry with covering flaps on the outside surface of each slit entry.
Ask these questions when hiring a mold remediation company!
FAQ
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et nam dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco nam laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et nam dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco nam laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et nam dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco nam laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et nam dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco nam laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.