Mold spores are tiny microscopic organisms that can only be seen under a microscope. Mold spores can become airborne just by walking near an affected area. Aspergillus and pennicillium mold can stay airborne for up to eight hours after one small air movement. Proper containment is a critical step; if not done correctly by a certified mold removal technician, the mold spores can spread and expand the required work. 

Imagine what happens to air quality during mold remediation which involves multiple technicians, equipment, demolition, etc. You guessed it! It gets pretty bad and all that mold can travel through the air columns to previously unaffected areas if proper engineering controls are not put in place. This is one area where corners are frequently cut in the industry.

First of all, poly sheeting (typically 6 mil) should be installed in the work area to isolate affected areas from unaffected areas. These barriers should be well sealed and may have a zipper door or flap in place. Any holes, gaps, open soils, salvageable insulation, contents, seams, duct work, vents, or openings should also be sealed off to isolate the work area. Once this has been achieved it is imperative to install a negative air system to place the work space under negative pressure relative to the unaffected area. This prevents fugitive mold spores from escaping to other areas of the building. If mold spores are spread, it is the contractors liability and they are responsible for the damages. Negative pressure should be maintained between -4 to -6 pascals (measured by a machine called a monometer) to prevent creating too much vacuum. Too much vacuum can draw particulates in to your containment, draw in gases, and can put excessive pressure on your poly sheeting which could cause collapse. It is crucial to monitor pressure differentials especially while entering and exiting your work space. Any time you enter or exit your work area, you open the sealed off space and air rushes in. Pressure must always stay negative (vacuum) or you could spread contaminants upon opening your barrier.

Air scrubbers must also be utilized to condition the air during the mold remediation work. Air scrubbers are large HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtered machines that clean the air at a given rate per hour. Depending on the project the goal should be to achieve an air exchange rate of at least 3-10 air changes per hour. This is calculated by taking the square footage of the area and the ceiling height to determine the cubic footage. Once this number is calculated air scrubbers should be employed accordingly to clean every cubic foot of air x number of times per hour. This keeps the work area as clean as possible throughout the remediation process. Air scrubber filters should be cleaned or changed based on project requirements.  Many projects will also require special low grain dehumidifiers, supplemental heat, supplied air machines, make up air filters, etc.

Every mold remediation project is unique and will have slightly different requirements; however, this can serve as an overview you can use to better understand the remediation process. Proper containment is a critical step that if not done right can simply spread the problem and expand the required work.  In our next article we will discuss the actual mold removal process which can involve a number of different approaches.

Mold in our home and work environment has become an increasing hazard as our buildings get older and tighter. First of all, it is important to understand that mold spores are found everywhere and you will never get rid of mold spores completely. Mold is an essential micro-organism that is needed for life to flourish. Mold eats and degrades dead organic matter in the outdoor environment and is critical to the decomposition process. That being said, "mold growth" is never acceptable in a living or work space. Mold can become a problem whenever moisture levels or humidity levels become high enough to support development which can be as low as 16% moisture content or 60% humidity depending on the type of mold.

If you have or suspect mold in your work or living space, the first step is to determine a proper work scope.  A mold inspector or remediation company in Maine can inspect the damage to determine the best course of action however it is typically best to consult a 3rd party industrial hygienist (IH) for testing and assessment of potential health hazards. It is NEVER acceptable to have the company proposing remediation (mold removal) to also conduct the testing services. This is a serious conflict of interest and is illegal in many states and frowned upon in the rest. An industrial hygienist has at least a Bachelor's degree and is certified by the board of industrial hygiene to conduct proper testing, provide a full work scope and to identify safety and health hazards. The "IH" works for you the property owner and oversees the remediation work to ensure a proper outcome. Many home inspectors and mold removal contractors try to take over this task without the proper credentials. A home inspector or mold contractor is qualified to identify mold and to identify causes, but once the inspection takes place it should be turned over to an IH for proper handling. An IH can also certify that based on the results of post mold remediation testing that no health risks are anticipated; an inspector or remediator can not determine this.

Once a mold problem has been identified and a work plan has been established, the remediation firm must then follow the steps outlined by the industrial hygienist. These steps can vary depending on the type of damages however the eight step process that should be followed are:

1. Proper identification & work scope;
2. containment / engineering controls;
   
3. controlled demolition & or abrasive removal;
4. pre-cleaning;
5. secondary hygienic cleaning;
6. treating /sealcoating salvageable framing if applicable;
7. final inspection of work area; and
8. 3rd party post testing to verify cleaning efficacy.

These steps will work every time if followed properly. In the next articles we will discuss these eight steps in detail and break down the process of remediation. We will also discuss short cuts that are often taken by remediation firms that you should look out for. Health and safety hazards are plentiful when mold problems are confirmed; be sure that you are getting your project handled correctly!

Getting rid of attic mold is crucial to protecting your home’s value and to protecting the health and safety of your family. At the same time, your home’s ventilation systems must be updated or improved to keep moisture out and away from your home. This is essential to prevent recurring attic mold issues.

Proper attic ventilation is critical to maintaining even attic temperatures throughout the entire year. In the summer, proper ventilation removes excess heat. In the winter, it prevents the buildup of excess moisture/heat and accumulation of water condensation.

Unless there is an actual leak in the roof, it is during the late Fall, Winter, and early Spring that moisture - which can lead to attic mold growth - tends to occur. During cold weather, warm air and moisture from the house can escape to the cold attic area. When the warm moist air meets the cold surface of the roof sheathing, it can create frost and water damage that will eventually lead to mold growth and expensive mold removal and remediation. This damp environment creates the perfect conditions for wood rot and attic mold which over time will degrade the roof sheathing.

A common ventilation mistake is the combined use of different ventilation systems. Incoming air enters the attic through soffit vents, which are installed in the roof’s overhang. Exhaust air ventilation takes several different forms:  Gable vents, ridge vents, and sometimes power vents. Mixing different types of ventilation systems can cause problems. For example, using a ridge vent and a gable vent together can cause a ridge vent to draw in moisture-laden air from the outside. When this happens, it can cause a damaging cycle of attic moisture accumulation and can confuse air flow.

There is a significant risk posed by bathroom fans that vent directly into the attic or soffit areas rather than to the outside of the home. In many cases, moisture from bathroom fans is the primary source of attic mold damage.

It is important to have a proper, balanced, ventilation system using equal amounts of incoming air and outgoing air. For bathroom vent fans it is important to use insulated ducting and to insulate around the vent pipe exiting the fan to prevent moisture from condensing inside of the pipe. If moisture condenses inside the pipe it can eventually lead to costly water damage.

In many cases there will be some level of moisture that accumulates in an attic space. This is due to extreme temperature differences between your home and the environment outside. If attic mold is suspected, give us a call to remove mold in your home. We can clean/treat the attic area and remove mold with a system designed to prevent future growth. Each situation is different, but dry ice blasting followed by aggressive cleaning is a preferred approach in many cases to remove mold growth and staining. Mold releases powerful enzymes that can decay and destroy wood framing. Mold contaminants can cause a wide range of potential health problems to your homes occupants, so don't take any chances.

Download this free Mold Guide from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to learn about mold clean up and answer these important questions: 

• Why is mold growing in my home?
• Can mold cause health problems?
• How do I get rid of mold?