Mold Remediation
About the Activity Sheet
This activity sheet does not provide an in-depth analysis of OSHA standards and regulations and cannot address all hazards. It does not increase or diminish any OSHA requirement or employer obligation under those requirements. It is intended as a guide and quick reference for employers and response and recovery workers. The Matrix captures major activities involved in hurricane response and recovery, highlights many of the hazards associated with them, and recommends beneficial work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other exposure control methods. Employers must evaluate the specific hazards associated with the job/operation at the site where the work is being performed.
The Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work provides a general overview of particular topics related to current OSHA standards. It does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, or the equivalent State Plan standards and requirements. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, you should consult current OSHA/State Plan administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements. Employers should modify their procedures as appropriate when additional, relevant information becomes available.
MOLD/WATER DAMAGED MATERIALS
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
Discard all water-damaged materials, materials that are visibly coated with mold that cannot be properly cleaned, such as porous materials (e.g., carpeting, drywall, insulation), and materials that have been wet for more than 48 hours
Wrap and seal the items that will be discarded in plastic bags or sheets to reduce the spread of spores. These materials can usually be discarded as ordinary debris
Minimize dust disturbance to reduce the spread of fungal spores
Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas
Provide natural or local exhaust ventilation during all cleaning steps
Clean hard and non-porous materials using a detergent. After rinsing, if needed, disinfect with an appropriate biocide such as bleach. Don’t mix bleach with ammonia-containing products
After an area has been cleaned and is completely dry, vacuum the area with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum. HEPA vacuums are also recommended for cleaning up dust that may have settled on surfaces outside the work area
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
N, R, or P95 respirators; either a half-face or full-face N, R, or P 95 respirator for areas smaller then 100 square feet. For areas greater than 100 square feet, areas where mold is heavy (blanket coverage rather that patchy), or areas where when substantial dust is generated during cleaning or debris removal (e.g., abrasives are used to clean surfaces), use a full-face respirator with N, R, or P100 filters. Charcoal-impregnated filters may be used for odors. When silica is being used for abrasive blasting, an abrasive-blasting respirator must be used
Non-vented goggles
Protective clothing (e.g., disposable coveralls) to prevent cross contamination and skin contact with mold and chemicals. For areas greater that 100 square feet, ensure that protective clothing covers entire body including head and feet
Long gloves made of material that will protect user from chemicals handled for surface cleaning
MOLD REMEDIATION – SMALL ISOLATED AREAS
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
The work area should be unoccupied; removing people from adjacent spaces is not necessary but is recommended for infants, persons recovering from surgery, immune suppressed people, or people with chronic inflammatory lung diseases (e.g., asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and severe allergies)
Containment of the work area is not necessary
Use dust suppression methods (e.g., misting (not soaking) surfaces prior to remediation)
Clean and/or remove materials as noted in the Mold/water damaged materials hazard; seal materials being removed in plastic bags
The work area and areas used by remediation workers for egress should be cleaned with a damp cloth or mop and a detergent solution
Leave area clean, dry, and free of visible debris
An Explanation of Mold Remediation
You have seen it in your home and maybe even at work: Mold. Mold is a serious problem yet you should not panic. Our mold removal team is here to help eliminate this threat and return your home to normal. We will tell you all about mold, answer your questions and address your concerns. The bottom line is mold should not cause you to panic.
Mold typically grows on porous spaces like drywall and wood. However, it also has the potential to grow on plastics, glass and metal. At its core, mold is a moisture problem. Remedy the moisture, correct the mold issue and your home will be back to normal.
However, this is not always DIY (do it yourself) project.You need an experienced mold removal crew of to eliminate mold from your living or working space in a safe, efficient and comprehensive manner. Performing the actual mold removal is much more difficult than understanding mold and what is required to eliminate it.
Bathroom
The bathroom is by far one of the dampest areas of the house or apartment. Mold is especially common in the shower. Take a look at the shower curtain as well as the ceiling above the shower at least once every couple days to see if mold is growing. It will also help to open up the window after showering or taking a bath to air out this cramped space. If your bathroom does not have a window, consider adding a fan to your bathroom.
Basement
Mold is also commonly found in the basement. This part of the home has the ideal conditions for the growth and spread of this substance. These are cool, damp spaces that are often neglected during cleaning routines. There is a chance mold will have spread throughout the basement before you even know it is there as you probably do not spend much time in the cellar. Mold forms in this part of the home if there is not a dehumidifier or if items contact the carpeting and/or drywall.
Your Belongings and Mold Damage
Water and mold damage affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. Professionals understand that your home is more than a structure; your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings help transform a house into a home.
Contents Restoration
Professionals specialize in restoring contents damaged by fire, water, or mold. Their expertise can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. They pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water and mold damage
Professionals utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including:
Dry Cleaning – Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
Wet Cleaning – An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
Foam Cleaning – Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
Abrasive Cleaning – Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
Immersion Cleaning – Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.
Move-Outs/Pack-Outs
If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, Professionals can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area.
Move-out will provide several benefits, including:
A quicker remodeling process
Protecting items from potential damage
Protecting contents from further on-site damage
What to Do If You Find Mold
Mold: four letters, one syllable, a world of anxiety and stress. It’s such a simple word with the potential to cause so many problems. Why is mold so troubling and what should you do if you find mold in your house or discover it while you’re house hunting?
facts about mold
Mold grows quickly: It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to grow and spread in wet, warm conditions.
Mold is undetectable: Excessive moisture behind walls, under floors or in cabinets or closets are perfect breeding grounds for mold. This is mold that you often can’t see or smell but it can make you and your family very sick.
Mold issues are expensive: Mold damage can cost as much as $10,000, and most insurance carriers will not cover the cost of mold removal.
Know the symptoms of mold exposure: They include severe body aches, joint pain, nausea and chronic, sometimes serious respiratory issues. These symptoms can develop quickly or over time.
Know the people at risk: The very young, the very old and people with compromised immune systems are most likely to be affected by mold. Mold can even be deadly among these groups of people.
Mold Inspection & Removal | Best Mold Remediation Company
The dangers mold present for you and your home.
Mold is a catch-all term for a variety of fungi that is spread via spores that float through the air. When people hear the term “mold”, they most often think of the mildew scent associated with humidity and dampness in bathrooms and kitchens. But there are hundreds of varieties of mold, and mold can be found indoors as well as outdoors. As a rule, mold thrives in environments that are warm and moist, though mold is found throughout the world and in all temperatures.
Mold on the shadowy side of a tree or underneath rocks may be unpleasant to look at, but it’s the strains of mold that make their way into homes that should concern you, because both your body and your home can be put at extreme risk from mold. Common indoor varieties include Penicillium (yes, like the medication), Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and the most dangerous strain, Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold.
In households, mold can weaken and damage carpeting, wood structures, walls, and foundations. And in the body, mold can cause irritation in the lungs, and certain mold toxins can even lead to skin, blood, and organ infection. But it is the lung irritation and allergic reactions that mold most often triggers, and these health issues can even lead to severe illness. In rare instances, chronic fatigue, severe lung disorders, and even lung cancer have all been attributed to mold. It’s also possible for chronic exposure to mold to eventually create allergens even for those individuals who may initially not present with any allergic reactions.
Symptoms of mold in your home.
Warm and moist areas like bathrooms and pool houses and cool and moist areas such as basements and closed-off spaces are most prone to being invaded by mold. On hard surfaces, mold looks like a fuzzy and/or gritty covering that is usually black, green, or brown in color. On food, mold is often fuzzy in texture, and may be just about any shade of the rainbow, including black, brown, pink, or white.
Testing for mold.
mold inspection testing can begin with a visible inspection. Scan walls, corners where floors meet walls, and the backs of carpeting for the presence of mold. But even if your visible inspection comes up clean, it’s essential you move on to other forms of mold testing, as non-visible mold spores can still wreak havoc on your body and on your home.