Mold in your Sullivan, MO home or business

7/18/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Damage Sullivan, MO

Do you suspect mold in your Union, MO home or business?

A green fuzzy film on the wall or a stale musty smell. These are all signs that your house or business probably has mold.

When someone suspects mold we suggest a visual inspection first. In addition we will use our moisture meters to search for a moisture source. Often we are successful with this method in identifying the existence of mold and the proper remediation plan. If a visual inspection is not successful or the situation requires additional confirmation we can test for mold. The most common method of testing is air sampling. A canister traps air and than is tested by the lab. This will determine the existence of mold, the amount of mold, and the type of mold. In addition swab or tape lift samples can be taken which are helpful In identifying mold in a more focused or central area. The down side to testing is it can be expensive. Outside testing firms charge at a minimum between $800-$1500. We charge considerably less but it still can be costly.

Once mold has been identified either visually or by test, a mitigation protocol is developed. The protocol outlines the remediation work to be done and the areas that are affected. The protocol is usually followed to the letter. The first protocol requirement is always to set up containment. Heavy 6 mil plastic is used to contain the affected area and protect the unaffected area. Next we place the affected area under negative pressure with air scrubbers. This creates a sort of vacuum keeping stray mold spores from affecting other areas. Later those same air scrubbers are used to scrub the air. Since most porous items cannot be effectively cleaned, they are removed and properly disposed of. An example of porous household items would be carpet, pad, drywall, insulation , upholstered items, mattress, stuffed animals, etc. Porous items can only be cleaned on the surface and mold roots can burrow deeper making it impossible to completely remove all of the mold.

After all of the porous items are removed we can focus on the cleanable non porous items. Some examples of non porous household items are subfloor, hard flooring, floor joists, wall studs, concrete walls and floors, wood furniture, etc. Under negative pressure all of these items are HEPPA vacuumed than cleaned with a EPA approved disinfectant. A lot of time the affected areas will need to be agitated using brushes, sanders, or even multimedia machines such as ice or soda blasting. This ensures that the mold and its root are removed. The process is HEPPA Vacuum, clean and repeat. Usually this process repeats at least three times. Remember this is all performed in contained areas, under negative pressure by highly trained crew members wearing personal protection equipment such as protective suits, eye protection and respirators.
Once the structure and any non porous items are properly cleaned usually the hvac system and air ducts are cleaned. This prevents contaminants from being recirculated throughout the newly remediated building. Lastly as a preventative option, the structure can be sealed with a EPA approved sealer/mold inhibitor. The sealer serves as a final protection against the reoccurrence of mold.

Next to the question “Do I have mold?”, the most popular question is “How much is it going to cost to remove the mold?” The answer is not so simple.
Because every situation is unique there is no square foot price for estimating. Every job has to be inspected and uniquely estimated. On every job we must determine how much labor, how much equipment, how much chemical
and if any specialized equipment or final testing would be required. Based on these factors we put together a time and material estimate and present it to the customer making sure they have a full understanding of what to expect.
Hopefully this short article spreads some light on the mysteries of mold and mold remediation.

If you or your client suspects mold, don’t let it continue to grow. Give us a call we would be happy to inspect, test and provide a estimate if necessary.