Mold Remediation

Florida State Law requires that a contractor who performs any mold remediation (with known presence of, or reasonably suspected), must be State licensed.

Mold remediation is the process of isolating, removing and cleaning materials with fungal contamination. This may require removing a small section of mold drywall, or rehabilitating an entire building that has been completely affected. The ability to properly identify and remedy the source of moisture intrusion is a critical role of a remediation contractor, as it is the first step in a successful mold remediation project. Florida State Law requires that any contractor who performs any mold remediation be state licensed.

Mold can be found almost anywhere and can grow on virtually any organic substance with the presence of moisture and oxygen. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth can begin within 48 hours, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered and unaddressed.

One major challenge with mold growth is that it is not always visible from the outside of the viewed surface (wall, ceiling, floor, etc.). Mold can grow behind walls, on the back of wallpaper, and other hidden places in a building envelope, so it is critical that once the actual remediation process is commenced on the area where visible contamination is present, prudent engineering controls should be in place to mitigate and prevent hidden contamination from spreading throughout your building.

All molds have the potential to cause health effects, and can gradually destroy the things they grow on. Molds can produce allergens that trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Some molds are known to produce potent toxins, irritants, or both. Potential health concerns are an important reason to prevent mold growth and to remediate any existing indoor mold growth.

An important aspect of the Scope of Work relative to water intrusion and mold remediation is to identify and repair the cause of the water intrusion, which is the cause of the mold. Mold cannot survive without moisture. Often, mold remediation contractors just remediate the mold and never repair the cause of the water intrusion, as very few are certified, knowledgeable and experienced to complete the identification and repair process from within their own company.

Sabatello offers a unique additional service of expertise in indoor air quality evaluation, testing and consulting. Our supervisors and technicians are experts – certified, experienced and knowledgeable in a full range of services in indoor air quality environmental conditions. This is one of today’s fastest growing concerns and considerations in homes and work places.

Ten things to know about mold*:

• Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
• 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.
• If mold is present in your building, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
• Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
• Reduce indoor humidity to decrease mold growth.
• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
• Clean mold off hard surfaces.
• Prevent condensation.
• 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).
• Molds can be found almost anywhere and can grow on virtually any substance.

*United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).