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Mold Cleaning Instructions / Protocol

Mold Remediation Protocol

  • All of the mold growth indoors, and mold spores associated with indoor mold growth, is recommended to be removed in accordance with IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation and returned to “Condition 1” standards.
  • Access to the work area should be restricted to workers performing the work.
  • All unusual moisture conditions indoors, that contribute to indoor type mold contaminants, are recommended to be corrected and remediated as soon as possible and before the mold remediation begins.
  • I anticipate there to be mold present where water has traveled in the past, that was not remediated properly, and has affected building material. These locations are recommended to be remediated of water damage and mold contaminants.
  • All of the surfaces in mold contaminated areas, including walls, ceilings, floors, personal contents, as well as any other surfaces in mold contaminated areas, are recommended to be remediated of mold contaminants and potential mold growth that may not be visible to the human eye. If the air is contaminated with indoor type mold spores, all of the surfaces in that location are going to have settled indoor type mold spores and should be included in the cleaning plan. Air samples should be collected, if the air is suspected to be contaminated, to establish if settled indoor type mold spores are present on surfaces in the location.
  • I recommend removing the plastic liner in the crawlspace. A plastic liner on the earth floor is not needed when a power vent is servicing a crawlspace. A power vent system will help dry the surface of the earth floor, in the location the power vent services, when small quantities of moisture affect the earth floor of the crawlspace.
  • SafeAir recommends wearing proper protective gear when removing mold contaminants, such as a HEPA filtered respirator, goggles, ear plugs, latex gloves, and coveralls.
  • Personal items and furnishings, in the work area(s), are recommended to be removed and remediated of potential mold contaminants. These items are recommended to be stored away from the work area(s), in a climate controlled environment where the relative humidity is constantly maintained below 50%, for the duration of the mold remediation.
  • I recommend washing all clothing, and any other fabric items, in mold contaminated locations. Any fabric items with significant quantities of mold growth present, that cannot be remediated of mold contaminants adequately, are recommended to be discarded.
  • Containment methods, such as critical barriers consisting of a single layer of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting that restrict access to the work area, should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to work area(s). Proper containment methods are recommended to prevent airborne mold contaminants, inside the work area(s), from affecting locations outside the work area(s). The work area(s) entrance should have a 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and zipper closure for work area ingress and egress.
  • I recommend that full-containment, with proper engineering controls, be in place when removing or inspecting for mold and water damage that is behind surface coverings. (Surface coverings are building materials such as sheetrock, flooring, baseboards, or any other building material that can conceal mold and water damage.) This will prevent mold contaminants from affecting clean areas indoors during the mold remediation process.
  • Critical barriers, consisting of two-layers of 4-mil polyethylene sheeting, should be placed over all openings in the work area(s); including windows, HVAC system openings, light fixtures, non-movable items and building materials not requiring remediation.
  • Any HVAC system servicing the work area(s) should be deactivated until environmental testing and a visual inspection, in locations that are inside the scope of work, have been properly remediated of mold contaminants and returned to a normal fungal ecology. This will help prevent airborne mold contaminants from being dispersed by the HVAC system to areas that are outside the work area(s).
  • HVAC ductwork should be inspected, to locate and seal any gaps that may be present, where air from unfinished spaces can enter the ductwork. Gaps in ductwork are commonly found when two pieces of ductwork are joined together. You want to seal these gaps with HVAC tape. This is because air in unfinished locations are commonly contaminated with some level of indoor type mold spores and you do not want mold contaminated air to enter finished areas indoors serviced by the HVAC system.
  • Dehumidifier(s) are recommended to be in continuous operation, in all indoor location(s) where mold remediation is recommended to be completed, and remain in continuous operation until environmental testing and inspection has indicated that the work area(s) have returned to a normal fungal ecology and the mold remediation has been successfully completed. The relative humidity should to be maintained below 50%, at all times during the mold remediation process, to discourage mold from growing during the mold remediation process.
  • The work area(s) should be ventilated through the use of HEPA filtered air filtration devices (AFDs). A sufficient number of AFDs must be used to provide at least 4 air changes per hour inside the work area. AFDs are recommended to be exhausted to the outdoors. All containment shall be left in place until environmental testing and inspection has determined that the work area(s) have returned to a normal fungal ecology.
  • I recommend 5-7 pascals of negative pressure, for all indoor locations where mold remediation activities will occur, and remain in place for the duration of the mold remediation. Negative pressure is recommended to be maintained from the moment the mold remediation begins until the time that the mold remediation is believed to be complete. Establishing negative pressure in a work area(s) is important because it discourages airborne mold contaminants, in the work area(s), from affecting locations indoors that are not inside the work area(s). It is important to understand that mold contaminants can become airborne, in large quantities, during the mold remediation process and measures such as negative pressure must be taken to prevent airborne mold contaminants, in work area(s), from affecting indoor locations that are outside of the work area(s). Negative pressure is created in a work area when an AFD or fan is exhausted to the outdoors. Negative pressure should be turned off after the mold remediation is believed to be complete, and remain off at least 24 hours or more, prior to the collection of post remediation environmental samples. An effective mold remediation alternative to an air scrubber exhausting to the outdoors as a negative pressure device is placing a fan in a window as a negative pressure device. I recommend placing the fan on low speed. It is important to have ventilation from one end of the work area to the opposite end of the work area. It is important to have the intake of makeup air enter from the opposite end of the work area as the exhaust. For example, if the fan is placed in a window on one end of the work area, open windows on the opposite end of the work area for new air to enter as the air from the work area is exhausted to the outdoors.
  • If additional mold / water damage is discovered outside the described work areas, the contractor should contact SafeAir Certified Mold Inspection or adjuster and request a supplemental recommendation letter.
  • Drywall and other building materials, that has a light mold dust present on the surface that is the result of excess humidity, is recommended to be HEPA vacuumed and then wiped clean with damp cloth soaked in a mild detergent. Surfaces are then recommended to be treated with a fungicide and dried. Surfaces are then recommended to be HEPA vacuumed a second time.
  • If removal of mold / water damaged building material exposes an area indoors that is unaffected by indoor type mold contaminants; these locations are recommended to be included in the cleaning plan, or containment measures should be implemented to prevent mold contaminated locations from affecting areas indoors that are unaffected by indoor type mold contaminants.
  • If the contractor discovers additional mold / water damage within the localized area of remediation, the contractor should continue to remove / remediate, in accordance with IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation and returned to “Condition 1” standards.
  • In regard to all of the surfaces in the work area(s); I recommend HEPA vacuuming all surfaces, then wiping all surfaces with a damp cloth soaked in a mild detergent, then treating all surface in the work area with a fungicide. All mold / water damaged surface(s) are then recommended to be sanded or scrubbed with a wire brush, if it is needed, to remove potential visible, as well as non-visible, mold contaminants that may still be present. I then recommend HEPA vacuuming all surfaces a second time.
  • All lumber building components, with significant water damage and or significant mold growth, are recommended to be replaced.
  • Water damaged sheetrock, that has been wet due to water damage in the past, is recommended to be removed. The sheetrock in these locations are recommended to be replaced after post remediation environmental samples and a visual inspection has determined that these locations have returned to a normal fungal ecology.
  • Water damaged or potentially mold contaminated insulation is recommended to be removed. The insulation is recommended to be replaced after post remediation environmental samples and a visual inspection has determined that these locations have returned to a normal fungal ecology.
  • Mold contaminated cement is recommended to be cleaned using an abrasive cleaning method such as scrubbing with a wire brush or blasted with an abrasive cleaning material such as dry ice, sand, etc…
  • Surfaces that are behind building material that is removed, such as sheetrock, flooring, etc, is recommended to be included in the cleaning plan.
  • All mold / water damaged building material, is recommended to be remediated or replaced as needed, at least 24” beyond where mold / water damaged building material is present.
  • A HEPA filtered vacuum is recommended used during the mold remediation and is recommended to be exhausted to the outdoors by attaching a hose to the exhaust of the vacuum and bringing the exhaust end of the hose to the outdoors. Some contaminants can pass through HEPA filters on vacuums and is the reason for implementing this measure.
  • A fungicide is recommended to be applied to all building materials that is remediated of mold contaminants and water damage.
  • I recommend steam cleaning the carpets, and fabric furniture, in locations that are contaminated with mold contaminants that originate from indoor mold growth. I recommend that a fungicide, that is recommended for use on carpets and fabric furniture, be applied during this process. I recommend carpet and fabric furniture be dried as quickly as possible, so mold does not grow as a result of the moisture from the carpet cleaner / steam cleaner. A carpet cleaner with a powerful motor will help in the removal of excess moisture during the water extraction process. When carpets are cleaned, you may want to consider having a dehumidifier ad fans in operation, during the drying process, to dry the carpet as quickly as possible. If you decide to replace carpet, it is recommended to clean the subfloor, under the carpet, to remove any visible as well as non-visible mold contaminants. The subfloor is then recommended to be treated with a fungicide after it has been cleaned. An antimicrobial encapsulate is recommended to be applied to subfloor building material after it has been cleaned. If the subfloor is cement, I recommend painting the floor with a vapor barrier to reduce moisture that may permeate through the cement.
  • HEPA filtered air filtration devices (AFDs) should be operated, in the work area(s), as well as indoor locations that are adjacent to the work area(s), for a minimum of 48 hours after the mold remediation is believed to be complete. This step in the mold remediation process is recommended prior to the collection of post remediation environmental samples, to determine if the work area(s) have returned to a normal fungal ecology. The intake and exhaust of the AFD(s) should be inside the work area during this “air cleaning” period.” The AFD(s) should be shut down, prior to collecting post remediation environmental samples, for a minimum of 24 hours or more.
  • I recommend having environmental samples, and a visual inspection completed, in locations where mold remediation activities are reported to have been completed to determine if mold remediation efforts are successful.
  • Doors and windows should be kept closed, as much as reasonably possible, for a minimum of 24 hours, prior to the collection of post remediation environmental samples.
  • SafeAir recommends treating all lumber building components, in all locations where mold remediation activities will occur, with a clear liquid antimicrobial encapsulant as one of the final steps in the mold remediation process. This step is recommended to be completed after environmental testing and a visual inspection has verified that the work area(s) have returned to normal fungal ecology. Most antimicrobial liquid encapsulants can be sprayed on lumber building components with a paint sprayer or paint roller. When the antimicrobial encapsulant dries, it is recommended to have a clear appearance. An antimicrobial encapsulate discourages mold from growing on the lumber surface where it is applied. Antimicrobial liquid encapsulants can be purchased from numerous janitorial supply stores, as well as numerous Internet websites, that specialize in janitorial supply products.
  • I recommend that your entire HVAC system(s), and ductwork in your HVAC system, be professionally cleaned and sanitized of any potential mold contaminants as part of the cleaning plan to remove indoor type mold contaminants from indoors. I recommend this as the final step in the cleaning plan. I recommend this step before environmental sample(s) and inspection has determine that the work area(s) have returned to a normal fungal ecology.
  • I recommend additional environmental samples be collected, after the HVAC has been cleaned, to determine if indoor type mold contaminants have been successfully remediated from the HVAC system.
  • I recommend installing a power vent system that will service the entire crawlspace. A power vent is a small fan device that fits over an exterior grill vent that is along the exterior foundation walls in the crawlspace. The ventilation created by the power vent system will help dry the earth floor, when the plastic liner is removed, and exhaust excess humidity and airborne mold contaminants to the outdoors. Most power vents can be be programmed to turn on and off automatically depending on the humidity levels in the location it is servicing. I recommend the power vent(s) to turn on when the humidity exceeds 50% in the crawlspace. You may need to have an electrical outlet installed that the power vent can be plugged into. You may need more than one power vent depending on the capability of the power vent you purchase and the size of the space it is servicing. You will need to review the manufacturers recommendations, for the power vent you purchase, regarding the quantity of power vents to install for the size of the cubic footage of air space it will be servicing. Power vents typically operate on low wattages of electricity and are inexpensive to operate. Power vents can be purchased from a variety of Internet distributors.