When mold is suspected in a structure, it poses risks to both occupants and property. How do you achieve a mold-free home or business? According to Jason Harris of Los Angeles mold inspectors Same Day Mold Testing, dealing with mold contamination is a four-step process. He explains.
#1 – Initial Inspection
If you suspect mold contamination in your home, business, or rental property, the first thing to do is contact a mold inspector. Signs of suspect conditions include moisture on surfaces like walls and flooring, and damp, musty odors. You may also see signs of discoloration or dark stains on surfaces, he says.
The inspector you choose, Harris explains, should be certified. “There are many certifying organizations,” he says. “But licensure for mold inspectors is not required in California.” When choosing an inspector, keep in mind that an inspector should offer value in terms of service, product and price.
According to Harris, the inspection process typically includes a visual inspection, temperature and humidity readings, moisture readings of building materials, and sampling. The inspection report should provide findings of all aspects of inspection and testing. The conclusions and recommendations of the report will help you determine whether to have a mold remediation company correct the problem.
#2 – Remediation and Removal
If a problem has been positively identified, the next step typically involves a potentially destructive, invasive process known as mold remediation. First, the source of moisture intrusion has to be identified and eliminated. For example, if a leaky pipe is producing moisture behind the wall, then a plumber needs to correct the problem. This way, you know that the moisture will not reoccur and produce the mold contamination again.
Once the source of moisture has been identified and eliminated, a mold remediation company should be employed to remove the moldy materials and clean the air in the affected area. “This isn’t a job for a handyman,” Harris says. The remediation company you choose should be licensed and insured because it is usually going to be employing workers, destroying parts of the structure, and then rebuilding the areas affected. As a rule, he says, if more than $500 of work is going to be done, you should hire a licensed contractor to do it.
#3 – Clearance Inspection
After remediation has been completed, a post-remediation inspection should be performed to verify that the area is ready for reconstruction. A documented report of the findings should be provided by the inspection company. To ensure that the process is administered consistently from beginning to end, it’s best to use the same company that performed the initial inspection for the clearance inspection.
Harris also notes that the inspection company you select should be a separate company than the remediation company to avoid a conflict of interest. “There are companies that perform all four steps of the process,” he says. “However, it does present an opportunity for impropriety and may compromise your legal standing in a lawsuit later.”
#4 - Reconstruction
Once a structure or area within the structure has been deemed ready for reconstruction by the clearance inspection, the affected area can be rebuilt and, when reconstruction is finished, re-inhabited. This final step can be performed by the remediation company or by general contractors who specialize in the work needed. Quality, timeliness, and cost are all considerations at this step as displacement (whether your family’s or your tenants’) can be costly and disruptive.
“Once a mold problem is identified,” Harris says, “it must be dealt with swiftly. Working collaboratively is the key to preventing further risk to people or property.”