Introduction: 24-Hour Emergency Water Removal
Prompt water removal and extraction is a crucial first step when your home has water damage. DryHero uses specialized and powerful water extractors to pull virtually all bulk water from your carpet and pad! You'll be amazed the first time you see these self-propelled water extractors in action. Don't pull up your flooded carpet until you've talked to us.
Water Damage Mitigation
Water damage mitigation encompasses all emergency services required to dry, stabilize and preserve your flood damaged home or business. When promptly dried, water damage mitigation efforts will protect your property from structure damage, decay and mold growth. Mitigation services include moisture testing, water removal, surgical demolition, dehumidification, cleaning, air scrubbing and deodorization. Call us.
The affects of water intrusion in Nebraska homes can range from minor to catastrophic. Our preference is to dry your water damaged home or business and stop mold before it has a chance to grow. However, for those unfortunate situations where water damage has gone untreated, have no fear! DryHero is trained and certifed to provide mold remediation services to residents of Nebraska.
Therefore, the best way to avoid your own mold remediation project is to quickly mitigate water damage. Water damage prevention is the key to mold prevention. We can also assist with mold testing as well providing free on-site mold inspections. Call 1-888-DryHero from anywhere in Nebraska.
MOLD OVERVIEW
Awareness of mold growth in buildings has risen sharply in recent years. Several factors have contributed to this heightened awareness, including energy conservation measures, changes in building materials, the use of fast-track construction techniques, failure of occupants to manage moisture intrusion and humidity properly, and an increased reliance on mechanical Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for comfort control. In addition, significant media focus and litigation have fueled increased consumer concern.
This site is not intended to replace professional examination of your specific mold situation. It is however intended to provide honest, objective information from various sources throughout the mold remediation industry. Since professional indoor air quality (IAQ) organizations, state governments and the US EPA have not agreed upon threshold exposure limits or levels of visible mold growth that constitute a concern for occupant and worker safety, assessing individual mold and air quality concerns can be quite challenging.
Quantifying visible levels of mold growth alone has obvious limitations as an action level decision criterion, because it does not take into consideration hidden, concealed (not readily visible) mold growth, and it does not take into consideration contamination resulting from settled spores (not visible) that were dispersed from areas of actual growth.
The IAQ and mold remediation industry is constantly evolving and as more information regarding mold contamination and remediation becomes available and as scientific developments occur and advancements are made in remediation technology and practice, professional protocols will change.
INDOOR MOLD ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS
Condition 1 (normal fungal ecology): an indoor environment that may have settled spores, fungal fragments or traces of actual growth whose identity, location and quantity are reflective of a normal fungal ecology for a similar indoor environment.
Condition 2 (settled spores): an indoor environment which is primarily contaminated with settled spores that were dispersed directly or indirectly from a Condition 3 area, and which may have traces of actual growth.
Condition 3 (actual growth): an indoor environment contaminated with the presence of actual mold growth and associated spores. Actual growth includes growth that is active or dormant, visible or hidden.
PRINCIPLES OF MOLD REMEDIATION
Provide for the Safety and Health of Workers and Occupants
When itâs been determined that an indoor environment is contaminated with mold, remediation workers must be protected from mold exposure. Engineering controls and work practices are the primary means for preventing exposure. Appropriate respiratory protection or other personal protective equipment (PPE) are also used to protect workers. Reasonable efforts should be made to inform occupants of and protect them from mold exposure as a result of inspection and remediation activities.
Document the Conditions and Work Processes
When a preliminary inspection indicates that mold contamination exists or is likely to exist, an assessment should be performed prior to beginning remediation. In circumstances where an entire building or system is fully involved as a result of Condition 3 mold contamination or when the scope of work can be determined without sampling or independent IEP inspection and assessment, engagement of an IEP for assessment may not be necessary. Furthermore, some mitigation services may be initiated before or during assessment of conditions or performance of remediation processes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if health issues are discovered or apparent that seem to be related to the actual or suspected mold contamination, an IEP or other appropriate professional should be engaged by the property owner and the extent and Condition (1, 2 or 3) to which areas of the structure, systems and contents are potentially mold-contaminated should be assessed, documented, and reported to the client.
The conditions and work processes should be documented on an on-going basis during remediation work. The return of the remediated portion of the structure and salvable contents to Condition 1 should be documented before the structure is rebuilt or the contents reused.
Contamination Control
The spread of mold contamination should be controlled as close as practical to its source. Initial moisture mitigation services may be performed to control mold growth, while ensuring that mold contamination does not spread from more-contaminated to less or non-contaminated areas.
Contamination Removal
Physically removing mold contamination is the primary means of remediation. Mold contamination should be physically removed from the structure, systems and contents to return them to Condition 1. Attempts to kill, encapsulate or inhibit mold instead of proper source removal generally are not adequate.
Remediated structures, systems and contents can be considered clean (post-remediation evaluation) when
contamination, unrestorable contaminated materials and debris have been removed, and surfaces are visibly free of dust. The term âvisiblyâ can include direct and indirect observation (e.g., using a white or black towel to wipe a surface to observe for cleanliness). Also, remediated areas should be free of malodors associated with microorganisms. At that point, it is probable that the structure, systems and contents have been returned to Condition 1.
After a post-remediation evaluation, the remediated structures, systems and contents are ready for postremediation verification. When verification that the structure, systems and contents have been returned to Condition 1 and when it is requested or required, a post-remediation verification should be performed by an independent IEP.
Contamination Prevention
To prevent recontamination or future contamination, the moisture problem that contributed to the mold growth shall be identified and corrected or controlled as soon as practical . Affected salvable materials should be dried to acceptable moisture content following the current ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (S500).
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Mold remediators should prevent cross-contamination and use engineering controls to help ensure worker and occupant safety. Generally accepted industrial hygiene principles and Occupational Safety and Health Act âOSHAâ regulations and standards, engineering controls are the first line of defense for ensuring safety and health. Engineering controls may include, but are not limited to: source containment, isolation barriers, pressure differentials, dust suppression, and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration and vacuuming.
DEVIATING FROM MOLD REMEDIATION INDUSTRY PROTOCOLS
The Principles of Mold Remediation state that mold contamination should be controlled as close to its source as
practical. Mold should be physically removed during remediation. Attempts to kill, encapsulate or inhibit mold instead of proper source removal generally are not adequate.
Mold remediation projects are unique, and that in certain circumstances, common sense, experience and professional judgment may justify deviation from industry standards. It is the responsibility of mold remediators to determine and verify on a case-by-case basis that following the standard is appropriate. When Condition 3 mold situations exist that cannot be physically removed using reasonable measures, or when ongoing moisture intrusion cannot be resolved, it may be necessary to manage a Condition 3 area for extended periods by using long-term engineering controls, encapsulants, sealants or other methods.
Allowing mold or moisture conditions to remain is strongly discouraged, since it can compromise the health of occupants, further damage building materials, and expose remediators to liability and other consequences. However, when deviations from this Standard are considered, it is recommended that mold remediators advise customers in writing that controlling mold or moisture condition in place can 1) have limited effectiveness, 2) result in a release of contaminants, 3) result in additional structural deterioration, 4) require long-term management, or 5) result in additional remediation work being necessary.
It is recommended that mold remediators advise customers that follow-up assessment of affected area by an IEP may be appropriate when 1) affected area(s) become visibly damaged, 2) a change in the condition of the material or its surroundings occurs, 3) there are health complaints, or 4) engineering solution fail.
Since deviation from the source removal principle occurred, periodic assessments may be advisable. It is recommended that remediators consult with appropriate technical professionals or attorneys for specific language to use in written communications with customers.
Mold Inspection, Testing, Removal and Remediation
At DryHero, our objective is often mold prevention by mitigating water damage. When water damage goes undetected and untreated, mold can grow inside your home. We are an IICRC AMRT trained and certified to remediate fungal contamination. Since mold growth is simply an untreated water damage, we utilize our training and experience to locate the source of your water intrusion, limiting the potential for future water damage and subsequent mold.
How to Protect Yourself from Mold
Whenever a building suffers water damage, it's important to promptly mitigate that damage by removing the excess water, and dry the structure with dehumidification. Otherwise, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold. If your home has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.
If your home has suffered water damage, promptly clean and dry out the water damaged portions of the building. At DryHero, we highly recommend that a certified water damage restoration professional inspect your home to perform moisture testing and structure drying services if wet materials are discovered. If chronic water damage and subsequent mold growth is found, professional mold remediation services may be necessary.
