GOT MOLD!?
DISASTER EXPERTS, INC. has been involved with mold since December 2002. Unfortunately, many water restorers have not taken the time to receive advanced training and update their equipment to be able to handle the water damage correctly. Therefore, a mold problem can result and the water damage restoration contractor is blamed. We are proud not to be in this category. We have never had a call back after a water loss with the complaint of mold growth.
There are also many issues dealing with the construction of homes and commercial buildings in which builders and others may not be aware of. Let’s just say that the research goes on in this field. Let’s concentrate on things we can do when we think we have a mold problem.
DISASTER EXPERTS, INC. provides mold removal for homes and businesses. The IICRC S520 – ‘Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation’ is where the standards we use are taken from. The New York City Guidelines were developed in November 1993, which mainly gave some guidelines for the janitorial staff of a commercial building when they encountered varying levels or square footage of visible mold. Then in March 2001 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the booklet ‘Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building.’ This is a useful tool to give people an idea of what is necessary to remove mold and maintain occupant health. Those serious about removing mold according to industry standards, however, either as a building or home owner, or as a mold remediation contractor would do well to make sure the guidelines from the S520 are followed.
The S520 (December 2003) is superior for several reasons, one of which being that it recommends a third party independent professional such as a Certified Industrial Hygienist be hired by the commissioning agent in order to establish a scope or protocol of work necessary including a pre and post test to insure work done by the mold remediation company is according to industry standard. The long awaited second edition of the S520 was approved recently for release. On August 7, 2008, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) notified the IICRC Standards Committee of the approval of the IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. The S520 is the second ANSI-approved IICRC standard, along with the IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, which was published in April, 2006.
DISASTER EXPERTS, INC. conducts indoor environmental inspections for homes and businesses.
We give recommendations and inform the proper persons of our findings. We provide a detailed analysis and findings including a written proposal of recommendations and associated costs for work to be done. We inform the home or building owner that we will do whatever necessary to make the indoor environment healthier. In most or all cases, if the source of the moisture is not determined and fixed mold will return. Therefore, at times we may recommend another profession i.e. a waterproofer, roofer or other is called in.