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Albany, OR
541.928.7267
Corvallis, OR
541.753.7665
Lebanon, OR
541.258.7665
Salem, OR
503.581.7233

500 Pacific Blvd, SW
Albany, OR 97321

Fax 541.926.8457

What Is Mold?

How to Deal with Mold

The first rule in mold removal (remediation) is to not spread the toxic mold bodies or toxic spores, all mold must be contained so as to not contaminate unaffected portions of the structure. The proper way to deal with mold removes all mold and toxins, whether alive, dormant or dead.

Mold remediation requires specialized equipment and training to properly contain and prevent the spread of microscopic mold contamination particles. Safe remediation of mold is much more involved than "tear it out and put in new." Regular vacuum cleaners and uncontrolled air flow will spread mold spores to previously unaffected areas. The best way to deal with mold is to stop it before it starts.

Disaster Restorations has been working stridently since 1980 to properly dry water damaged structures to prevent and limit mold growth. However, once mold growth is established, there are various levels of concern. Most regulations and guidelines deal with how much area is affected by mold, and the required processes for safe remediation. Small areas of growth (less than three square feet) are lower risks than larger areas. Mold decontamination is handled on a case by case basis depending on numerous conditions such as: size of area of mold growth, the use of the building, occupants, what and where the mold is growing on, ongoing or dormant growth, financial considerations, etc.

Disaster Restorations follows industry guidelines for mold remediation procedures. Our mold remediation experts handle mold decontamination from small areas to large office buildings. Disaster Restorations has sophisticated mold testing and sampling equipment and procedures, specialized equipment (such as huge vacuums that "scrub the air" in your house to remove mold spores), and trained personnel to deal with mold safely and thoroughly to protect health and property. Our laboratory can furnish detailed mold reports to better analyze and deal with mold contamination.

Disaster Restorations can

• Identify sources of moisture that allow mold to grow
• Remedy moisture sources that cause mold growth
• Dehumidify and dry structures to limit new mold growth,
• Remove mold growth and spores, (mold remediation) from structure and contents and furnace duct systems
• Remediate for mold contamination where spores are discovered and mold growth is not evident
• Perform mold treatments
• Repair structure as needed
• Give final clearance testing
• Redecorate, paint, carpet, etc.

What to be Cautious About

If you notice mold growth or water staining or if you hire a contractor to do remodeling or repairs and mold is discovered, or if you have a concern about mold in your home, STOP and call for assistance to determine if a substantial health hazard exists. Opening up walls or floors could spread mold spores and make the situation worse.

Get a professional opinion on the possibility of a mold situation since your health and safety depend on it. If you do have a mold situation, check your mold contractors qualifications and credentials and determine if they have proper testing and analysis as well as industry standard abatement procedures. You donÕt want a mold contractor that is doing his first job at your house, some newly arrived mold contractors have substantial verbal skills and no expertise in the actual mold remediation, or their crews are not well trained or properly equipped. See that your mold contractor is qualified in mold contamination by looking for warning signs.

Do they wear respirators and proper personal protective equipment (ppe) to protect themselves? Are they knowledgeable of the adverse health effects of mold and want to protect YOU and themselves? Properly removing the source of the mold and controlling moisture throughout your structure requires specialized experience and advanced training that your mold contractor may not offer. Contact Disaster Restorations for Industrial Hygienists who specialize in molds identification and remediation procedures for work in Linn and Benton Counties, in Oregon. (541) 928-7267.

For additional sources of information:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/triggers/molds.html
http://www.epa.gov/appcdwww/crb/iemb/child.htm
The American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/asthma/factsheets/molds/default.htm www.usaweekend.com/99_issues/991205/991205mold.html http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/ei/eimold.html
http://www.toxicmoldusa.com/heath_hazard.htm