Mold Assessment and Remediation
CWI Environmental adheres to the US EPA Guidelines for Assessing and Remediating Mold in homes, commercial buildings, and schools. The US EPAs guildlines for remediating mold in these environments utilizes a common sense approach with tested methods to ensure a safe and propoer remediation.
*Disclaimer- The information provided on this page comes directly from the US EPA and is provided as a source of information only. CWI Environmental, L.L.C. does not recommend that any home owner, building owner, property tenant, property manager or other entity undertake the remediation of mold without first consulting a professional mold assessment and remediation firm.
The Key to mold control is moisture control
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors. The US Environmental Protection Agency offers suggested guidelines for addressing the concerns for home owners and building managers.
It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
The following tables are published in the US EPAs Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guidelines (EPA 402-K-01-001)
These tables do not cover gray water or black water damage occurances. You should always consult a Mold Assessment and Remediation Professional as soon as possible if you have either one of these types of water damage.
Table 1: Water Damage - Cleanup and Mold Prevention
| Water-Damaged Material† | Actions |
|---|---|
| * If mold growth has occurred or materials have been wet for more than 48 hours, consult Table 2 guidelines. Even if materials are dried within 48 hours, mold growth may have occurred. Items may be tested by professionals if there is doubt. Note that mold growth will not always occur after 48 hours; this is only a guideline. These guidelines are for damage caused by clean water. If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then Personal Protective Equipment and containment are required by OSHA. An experienced professional should be consulted if you and/or your remediators do not have expertise remediating in contaminated water situations. Do not use fans before determining that the water is clean or sanitary. † If a particular item(s) has high monetary or sentimental value, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage specialist. § The subfloor under the carpet or other flooring material must also be cleaned and dried. See the appropriate section of this table for recommended actions depending on the composition of the subfloor. |
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| Books and Papers | For non-valuable items, discard books and papers. Photocopy valuable/important items, discard originals. Freeze (in frost-free freezer or meat locker) or freeze-dry. |
| Carpet and backing - dry within 24-48 hours§ | Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Reduce ambient humidity levels with dehumidifier. Accelerate drying process with fans. |
| Ceiling tiles | Discard and replace. |
| Cellulose insulation | Discard and replace. |
| Concrete or cinder block surfaces | Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters. |
| Fiberglass insulation | Discard and replace. |
| Hard surface, porous flooring§ (Linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl) | Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary. Check to make sure underflooring is dry; dry underflooring if necessary. |
| Non-porous, hard surfaces (Plastics, metals) | Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary. |
| Upholstered furniture | Remove water with water extraction vacuum. Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters. May be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours. If the piece is valuable, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage professional who specializes in furniture. |
| Wallboard (Drywall and gypsum board) | May be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replace. Ventilate the wall cavity, if possible. |
| Window drapes | Follow laundering or cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer. |
| Wood surfaces | Remove moisture immediately and use dehumidifiers, gentle heat, and fans for drying. (Use caution when applying heat to hardwood floors.) Treated or finished wood surfaces may be cleaned with mild detergent and clean water and allowed to dry. Wet paneling should be pried away from wall for drying. |
Table 2: Guidelines for Remediating Building Materials with Mold Growth Caused by Clean Water*
| Table 2: Guidelines for Remediating Building Materials with Mold Growth Caused by Clean Water* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| * Use professional judgment to determine prudent levels of Personal Protective Equipment and containment for each situation, particularly as the remediation site size increases and the potential for exposure and health effects rises. Assess the need for increased Personal Protective Equipment, if, during the remediation, more extensive contamination is encountered than was expected. Consult Table 1 if materials have been wet for less than 48 hours, and mold growth is not apparent. These guidelines are for damage caused by clean water. If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires PPE and containment. An experienced professional should be consulted if you and/or your remediators do not have expertise in remediating contaminated water situations. † Select method most appropriate to situation. Since molds gradually destroy the things they grow on, if mold growth is not addressed promptly, some items may be damaged such that cleaning will not restore their original appearance. If mold growth is heavy and items are valuable or important, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage/remediation expert. Please note that these are guidelines; other cleaning methods may be preferred by some professionals. |
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| Material or Furnishing Affected | Cleanup Methods† | Personal Protective Equipment | Containment |
| SMALL - Total Surface Area Affected Less Than 10 square feet (ft2) | |||
| Books and papers | 3 | Minimum N-95 respirator, gloves, and goggles | None required |
| Carpet and backing | 1, 3 | ||
| Concrete or cinder block | 1, 3 | ||
| Hard surface, porous flooring (linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl) | 1, 2, 3 | ||
| Non-porous, hard surfaces (plastics, metals) | 1, 2, 3 | ||
| Upholstered furniture & drapes | 1, 3 | ||
| Wallboard (drywall and gypsum board) | 3 | ||
| Wood surfaces | 1, 2, 3 | ||
| MEDIUM - Total Surface Area Affected Between 10 and 100 (ft2) | |||
| Books and papers | 3 | Limited or Full Use professional judgment, consider potential for remediator exposure and size of contaminated area | Limited Use professional judgment, consider potential for remediator/occupant exposure and size of contaminated area |
| Carpet and backing | 1,3,4 | ||
| Concrete or cinder block | 1,3 | ||
| Hard surface, porous flooring (linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl) | 1,2,3 | ||
| Non-porous, hard surfaces (plastics, metals) | 1,2,3 | ||
| Upholstered furniture & drapes | 1,3,4 | ||
| Wallboard (drywall and gypsum board) | 3,4 | ||
| Wood surfaces | 1,2,3 | ||
| LARGE - Total Surface Area Affected Greater Than 100 (ft2) or Potential for Increased Occupant or Remediator Exposure During Remediation Estimated to be Significant |
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| Books and papers | 3 | Full Use professional judgment, consider potential for remediator/occupant exposure and size of contaminated area | Full Use professional judgment, consider potential for remediator exposure and size of contaminated area |
| Carpet and backing | 1,3,4 | ||
| Concrete or cinder block | 1,3 | ||
| Hard surface, porous flooring (linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl) | 1,2,3,4 | ||
| Non-porous, hard surfaces (plastics, metals) | 1,2,3 | ||
| Upholstered furniture & drapes | 1,2,4 | ||
| Wallboard (drywall and gypsum board) | 3,4 | ||
| Wood surfaces | 1,2,3,4 | ||
Cleanup Methods
Method 1: Wet vacuum (in the case of porous materials, some mold spores/fragments will remain in the material but will not grow if the material is completely dried). Steam cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some upholstered furniture.
Method 2: Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or with water and detergent solution (except wood —use wood floor cleaner); scrub as needed.
Method 3: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum after the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the contents of the HEPA vacuum in well-sealed plastic bags. *It is not safe to assume that commercial HEPA vaccuums intended for ordinary household usage are adequate for vaccuuming mold. Please consult the manufacturers specifications.
Method 4: Discard – remove water-damaged materials and seal in plastic bags while inside of containment, if present. Dispose of as normal waste. HEPA vacuum area after it is dried.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Minimum: Gloves, N-95 respirator, goggles/eye protection
Limited: Gloves, N-95 respirator or half-face respirator with HEPA filter, disposable overalls, goggles/eye protection
Full: Gloves, disposable full body clothing, head gear, foot coverings, full-face respirator with HEPA filter
Containment
Limited: Use polyethylene sheeting ceiling to floor around affected area with a slit entry and covering flap; maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan unit. Block supply and return air vents within containment area.
Full: Use two layers of fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting with one airlock chamber. Maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan exhausted outside of building. Block supply and return air vents within containment area.
Table developed from literature and remediation documents including Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1999) and IICRC S500, Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, 1999);
Great article to share and read. Thanks a lot for sharing such useful information. Continual exposure to water is usually the primary reason that you’ll find water damage in your house.
Water damage can cause great damage to your property. I liked your cleanup methods.