Whenever a mold problem is suspected, prompt investigation and, if necessary, remediation is critical. In many cases, mold remediation companies offer no-cost inspections. But what price might you pay in the end if the inspection report isn’t truly objective? What exactly is the difference between a mold inspector and remediator? According to Los Angeles mold inspection expert Jason Harris of Same Day Mold Testing, understanding the difference is an essential part of ensuring that you receive an accurate, unbiased mold inspection report and objective recommendations for repairs. “The mold inspection company you choose should strictly be in the business of inspecting, testing, and consulting,” he says. “That way, the company has no vested interested in benefiting from any repair they may recommend.”
What Does a Mold Inspector Do?
According to Harris, the mold inspection and remediation process is a balancing act of ensuring occupant health and safety while preserving the property value for the owner. When faced with a potential mold problem, property owners (or managers) generally want to know four things:
1. Do I have a mold problem?
2. If yes, how do I solve it?
3. How much will it cost to solve it?
4. How long will it take?
The mold inspector, Harris says, should address the first two questions, and the remediation company should address the third and fourth questions.
The Potential for Conflict of Interest
It’s not uncommon, Harris says, for mold inspectors to be in the business of mold remediation and vice-versa. To minimize the potential for conflict of interest, he says, it’s important to hire a mold inspector who is solely in the business of inspecting and a remediator who is solely in the business of remediating. While it is acceptable for an inspection company to make referrals to remediation companies, an objective inspection company should be able to refer more than one remediation company. This, Harris says, allows the property owner to secure more than one bid for the remediation project and to select the company of his choice.
Choosing the Right Mold Inspector
The mold inspection company you choose, Harris says, should offer a value proposition that stands apart from others. The company’s credentials should include certification, experience, a fine work product, and a competitive price. In addition, the company should be able to provide multiple references of past customers who were satisfied with their experiences.
The report itself, Harris says, should be a two-part document: lab results and an inspection report. Once mold testing is conducted, the samples should be sent to an independent laboratory for analysis. The results of the lab analysis will be interpreted by the inspection company, who will then provide a comprehensive analysis of the property condition, laboratory findings, and recommendations.
“Beware of lengthy reports with a lot of ‘mumbo-jumbo’ designed to protect the inspection company instead of educating the customer,” Harris says. “The report should be easy to understand, with a very clear indication of whether a mold problem exists and, if it does, clearly outlined remediation instructions.”
The mold remediation plan should include area containment, removal of moldy materials, treatment of remaining construction materials with antimicrobial solution, disposal of moldy materials, and air scrubber treatment to remove airborne fungal activity. The remediation company you choose, Harris says, should be a licensed and insured contractor as well. “Mold remediation can be an expensive endeavor,” he says, “and you want to have recourse in the event something goes wrong.”
Once the remediation has been completed, a post-remediation verification (PRV) should be conducted prior to rebuilding the affected area. It is best, Harris says, to use the same inspection company before and after the remediation to ensure consistency in the inspection protocol and testing methodology. The PRV inspection will verify that the mold problem has been mitigated and handled properly before reconstruction begins.
“Whenever a mold problem has been identified, it needs to be solved,” Harris says. “Inspection and remediation is the way to solve the problem. It is in the best interest of owners and occupants to work collaboratively to have the problem solved as soon as possible to prevent further risk to persons and property.”