Mold Assessments

Initial and Post Remediation Clearance Assessments

In some instances, the presence of mold can be visually observed, however, if the mold growth is hidden or concealed and has not yet penetrated the building materials, a mold assessment, including air and surface samples is an essential measure to categorize the types and concentrations of mold.

Professional Mold Assessments are conducted to determine the presence and breadth of elevated mold growth. Conducting these assessments is necessary as mold can have a considerable impact on the integrity of the building structure and the wellness and comfort of those occupying the property.

MOLD ASSESSMENTS

Mold is ubiquitous. Mold is found everywhere, even indoors, and is an essential part of nature and everyone is exposed to some mold each day without causing harm. Therefore, it is typically not of concern if the levels of mold inside a property are lower than the mold found outdoors. However, if elevated levels of mold are detected inside a property, it can be pervasive and destructive.

Elevated Moisture and Mold Growth

Mold requires only three elements to grow: water, oxygen and a nutrient. Nutrients are porous/cellulose based materials such as wood, ceiling tiles and drywall. If there is elevated moisture or water intrusion, it only takes 24-48 hours for mold growth to begin and it will continue to grow unless proper remediation steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture. The material concern with elevated mold growth is that it is an indicator or a symptom of a water intrusion issue in the building which is the underlying issue that must be properly repaired to prevent further mold growth and damage to the building. This is why swift action is essential.

Common Indicators of elevated mold growth:

Musty odor
Bubbling, discolored or peeling wallcoverings or paint
Discoloration on walls, baseboards or ceiling
Stained, damaged or discolored carpets, especially in corners and against walls
Buckled or warped wood flooring
Fungi (mushroom) growth from building materials
Chronic sinus infections or respiratory difficulties
Unexplained or sudden onset allergic reaction when inside the property

Professional Mold Assessments

Professional Mold Assessments are conducted to determine the presence and breadth of mold growth. Conducting these assessments is necessary as elevated mold can have a considerable impact not only on the integrity of the building structure but on the wellness and comfort of those occupying the property. Occupants with respiratory considerations such as allergies, asthma or compromised immune systems are extremely vulnerable to the potential risks of elevated mold growth.

A visual inspection is part of a thorough Mold Assessment and provides insight on the presence of moisture buildup and mold. Leaks can be hidden inside of walls, under cabinets, in your ceiling or attic. Elevated moisture can also occur when the moisture barrier is penetrated by issues such as flooding or improper ventilation. During a Mold Assessment, we utilize specialized equipment, such as Thermal Imaging Cameras, Protimeters, and Hygrometers to measure humidity as well as temperature differentials and moisture presence in the building materials.

In some instances, the presence of mold can be visually observed, however, if the mold growth is concealed in wall cavities or behind cabinets, for example, and has not penetrated the building materials, such as drywall, a visual inspection alone will likely not provide you with all the information you need to properly address the issue. Therefore, air samples and /or surface samples of suspect areas are taken and analyzed by an American Industrial Hygiene Association accredited laboratory in order to determine the presence of and characterization of mold spores. Upon receipt of analytical data, TRUST Environmental Solutions will issue a comprehensive Mold Assessment report to all relevant parties which includes the analytical findings, recommendations and a detailed scope of work for remediation.

A Post Mold Remediation Clearance Assessment provides verification that the mold remediation efforts have been successful. This clearance inspection is performed within 24-48 hours after the mold remediation is complete and before the containment barriers have been removed.

When the mold remediation is complete and the property has passed the clearance inspection, a Post Remediation Verification Report will be issued to all relevant parties and serves as unbiased evidence confirming the remediation activities were successful.

Reputable remediation companies encourage clearance inspections as these inspections not only serve as assurance to the property owner that the mold remediation has been successful but to the contractor as well ensuring nothing has been overlooked or missed.

POST REMEDIATION CLEARANCE ASSESSMENTS

A Post Mold Remediation Clearance Assessment, also referred to as a Post Mold Remediation Verification by industry experts, is an accepted standard practice to provide objective verification to the client that the mold remediation efforts have been successful. This inspection includes a thorough visual inspection, stringent moisture assessment and sampling and is performed within 24-48 hours after the mold remediation is complete and before the containment barriers have been removed.

To successfully verify or "clear" a property after mold remediation, the following requirements must be met:

Pass a Visual Inspection Confirming:

The containment barrier is completely in-tact ensuring that there has been no cross-contamination in or from other areas not remediated.
No water damaged non-structural materials are left in the containment.
The containment is free of visible dust and debris or staining from potential unaddressed mold growth.
The moisture levels in the building materials as well as the temperature and relative humidity in the containment are all within the range of acceptable levels.

Acceptable Sample Analysis Results:

Only after the Visual Inspection has passed, mold samples are taken from the remediated area(s) and sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis confirming that the total airborne mold spore counts inside the containment are acceptable when compared to the outside (control) samples.

Once the property has passed inspection, a Post Remediation Verification Report will be issued to all relevant parties and serves as unbiased evidence confirming the remediation activities were successful. Additionally, the clearance report satisfies mold disclosure requirements during a real estate transaction and also demonstrates that a property owner has practiced due diligence in handling a mold problem in the event of a formal complaint or related lawsuit.

Is a Post Mold Remediation Clearance Inspection necessary?

A clearance Inspection is necessary because it objectively confirms that the contractor has successfully remediated the property back to pre-loss (pre-mold) conditions. We may have the utmost confidence in the work of a remediation company, however, mold can be elusive and live undetected and concealed in areas such as wall cavities, behind cabinets and in crawl spaces. Even the most experienced remediation company can occasionally miss areas of mold growth. For that reason, reputable remediation companies encourage clearance inspections as they not only serve as assurance to the property owner that the mold remediation has been successful but to the contractor as well.