Residential Properties: Mold Prevention, Inspection & Remediation

Mold is ugly and it’s a pest. In addition, mold can be very costly and very tricky. When it comes to residential properties, it’s very important to be proactive about mold prevention. After all, property owners can be sued for failing to disclose the presence of mold and failing to repair water problems that cause mold at their properties.

Mold Prevention Tips

 

Tips to help minimize your risks when dealing with mold:

 

• Require tenants to immediately notify you of water damage, condensation problems, etc.
• Require tenants to have renter’s insurance.
• Preventative Maintenance: Regularly inspect for leaks in windows and roofs, water staining, and moisture and condensation (including in the HVAC system).
• Responded quickly and tentatively to tenant complaints.
• Have the property inspected by a certified professional that follows all the Environmental Protection Agency mold guidelines.

 

Mold Inspection

 

There are three common ways to inspect and test for mold:

 

Air Sampling: Mold spores are not visible to the naked eye. Some common air sampling devices are:

 

• Impaction Samplers: This device uses a calibrated air pump to impact spores into a microscope slide.
• Cassette Samplers: This device employes forced air to impact spores into a collection media.
• Airborne Particle Collector: This device traps spores directly on a culture dish.

 

Swab Sampling: A simple swab of the suspected area to be submitted to a laboratory and tested for mold identification.

 

Tape Sampling: This method can be performed using standard, clear cellophane tape or a packed kit designed specifically for mold testing. Tape sampling involves direct contact with the visible mold; the adhesive is simply pressed against the mold to collect a sample.

 

Mold Remediation

 

When mold is discovered at your property, don’t allow mold to get worse. You must act right away! Mold remediation can be tricky and increase building contamination if not performed properly. The most important thing is to use the correct methods and equipment. The following is a brief summation of how to remediate mold according to American Indoor Air Quality professional standards of remediation.

 

Safety Equipment:

 

• Mold Safe Full Body Suit
• Goggles
• Respirator (use appropriate per job size)
• Gloves: minimum 6 mil rubber gloves

 

Action Steps:

 

• Identify the mold contaminated building materials and extent of mold growth.
• Come up with a plan for remediation. You don’t want to rush in because improper remediation can spread mold spores throughout the structure. Note: A mold spore is approximately 1/25,000 inch in diameter.
• Set a containment (using correct materials) and a clean room using a negative air differential to avoid spreading spores while removal.
• Using proper protective equipment to remove mold contaminated building materials. Do not carry infected materials through uncontaminated areas without properly sealing and wiping down mold safe bags.
• Thoroughly HEPA vacuum all surface areas inside containment and wipe down with antimicrobial disinfectant.
• Scrub air with industrial HEPA air filtration device for 48 hours.
• Third Party Clearance Testing is recommended before breaking down the containment.

 

Alert inspects and does mold remediation for residential properties. When choosing a mold remediation professional, you can be confident that Alert is certified and follows all industry guidelines.? We recognize that, as property managers and owners, your needs are unique.

 

Alert can help you with all your property solutions such as emergency services, restoration, and the all your remodeling needs. We are quick and efficient to minimize disruption to your tenants and business. Our knowledge of the insurance process allows us to responsibly expedite all insurance claims.