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Mold Remediation
Mold remediation is the hottest area of
restoration today because it has been discovered that incomplete or
inadequate restoration practices can harm air quality and cause
significant health problems if left untreated.
TRC adheres to the IICRC S520 Standard
for mold remediation and can eliminate or minimize the negative
impact on all types of environments.
Mold Awareness
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce,
just as plants produce seeds.
Mold spores waft through the indoor and
outdoor air continually. When mold spore land on a damp spot
indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are
growing on in order to survive.
When excessive moisture or water
accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if
the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed.
Categories of Water in Water Damage
IICRC S500 Standard
A categorization of the level of
contamination of water in a damaged structure is required to perform
loss assessment and evaluation activities.
The category of water contamination
must be considered so that procedures can be established for
processing water-damaged structures and materials safely.
Water damage is divided into three
general categories:
• Category 1 - Clean Water
• Category 2 - Gray Water
• Category 3 - Black Water
The category of water contamination is
not determined by the color of the water; rather, the category is
determined by the source, contents, history, and characteristics of
the water.
Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
1. Potential health effects and
symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions,
asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to
eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the
way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your
home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of
moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water
problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to
30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and
other moisture-generated sources to the outside; using air
conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using
exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet
building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent
mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces
with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent
materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be
replaced.
8. Prevent condensation:
Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e.,
windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding
insulation.
9. In areas where there is a
perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by
drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with
leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost
anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing
moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood,
paper, carpet, and foods.
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