Services

Mold Inspection and Testing

If I can see mold why is mold testing needed? When a rampant, visible mold condition exists, Environmental Administrators does not automatically suggest or recommend initial mold sampling except on occasions where serious occupant health complications or potential litigation conditions exists. A mold problem is often far more reaching than just a visible patch of mold on a wall or ceiling. Whether visible mold is present or not, testing can determine the overall indoor mold contamination level and with what types of toxic molds one is contending. This information can be critical to the preparation of a remediation and clean-up protocol. After remediation, many local, state and federal agencies recommend a “clearance test” be conducted to establish the success level of the clean-up process. With regard to the need for initial mold sampling before the clean-up, each site condition is unique and regardless of our recommendations, the final decision belongs to the property owner. The core value of our services to the property owner is not necessarily from conducting initial mold sampling. It is in our inspection/assessment of the site and the corrective action planning to abate the moisture problem feeding the mold and in outlining safe clean-up protocols. Our mold testing services include:

• Microbiological QPCR (DNA) Mold Testing
• Thorough physical examination of the home or business
• Infrared Thermography Imaging to determine areas of possible water intrusion

Mold Remediation

• Containment is set up to isolate the affected area.
• Air Scrubbers are placed and the work environment kept under negative pressure to keep mold from spreading to other areas. Air changes are set at four changes per hour based on industry guidelines.
• If testing is to be performed it will be done prior to any further remediation efforts.
• Depending upon the circumstances, a variety of techniques may be employed such as encapsulation, application of anti-microbial treatments, dry ice blasting, sealing, airless spraying, etc.
• Any materials requiring demolition are removed two feet past any visible mold.
• All areas are vacuumed with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration vacuum cleaners and then wiped down with biocide. All visible mold on existing framing is sanded down to “no stain”.
• The entire affected area is then HEPA vacuumed again and retreated with biocide.
• Air Scrubbers are then switched to “scrub mode” and run for 24 to 48 hours. Air Scrubbers are capable of capturing virtually every removable airborne particle.
• The area is then ready for re-inspection and testing by Industrial Hygienist if required.

Mold Prevention

Mold growth can be prevented.  Mold growing in a home or building requires moisture, warmth and food.  Depriving mold of any of these three items will stop it from growing, but it will not kill the mold that is already there.  Mold spores will remain dormant and, if the moisture, warmth and food all reappear, mold will begin to grow again.  Some precuationary steps that can be taken to prevent mold growth are:

• Clean regularly to remove possible sources of mold growth paying special attention to bathrooms and other areas in the home that are likely to generate an abundance of moisture.
• Repair water leaks in your roof, windows, plumbing or any other part of the home or building as soon as possible.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear of debris that may block the flow of water from the roof.
• Make sure areas around the foundation are graded so that rainwater does not flow toward the foundation.
• In the kitchen and bathroom, open windows or use exhaust fans when enganging in activities that produce moisture.  Exhaust fans should be vented to the outdoors and not to the attic or crawl space.
• If you have water problems in your basement or crawl space, clean up affected areas as quickly as possible and take immediate steps to resolve the source of the problem.

The most important steps in controlling mold growth are to clean any existing mold to eliminate excessive moisture.

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

• Structure and Contents Drying: Most fire losses are also water damaged due to fire-fighting efforts.
• Structural Cleaning: Interior & Exterior Cleaning, Media Blasting, Walls, Ceilings, Flooring, HVAC
• Contents Cleaning: Electronic Restoration, Clothing, Art Restoration, Upholstered Furniture, Oriental & Area Rugs
• Smoke Damage Odor Removal: We have several methods at our disposal
• Pack-out Service: With our 10,000 sq. ft. secure store facility
• HVAC Duct Cleaning: Service for your complete forced-air system
• Miscellaneous Services: Emergency Board-Up, Temporary Electric – Generators, Total Loss Inventory, Temporary Housing, On-Site Cleaning, Pack-Out/Moving & Storage
• Site safety. Have gas and electricity supplies been made safe?
• Preliminary detoxification which may involve thermal fogging, a technique producing millions of deodorant particles in a fog that has a mist like appearance and ability to go wherever the smoke malodour has gone.
• Ventilation of the property.
• The application of solutions to burnt/charred surfaces and smoke damaged walls to prevent the evaporation of odour bearing molecules.
• Removal of burnt/charred building materials and/or contents items dependent upon policy cover.
• Application of granular odour counteractants to control airborne odour particles.

Water and Sewage Mitigation

Litigation Support and Consulting

Environmental Administrators has extensive experience aiding attorneys with litigating mold related cases and has over 20 years of experience serving the  legal and insurance industry through out the United States while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.

Because the area of toxic mold litigation is extremely complex and requires an extensive knowledge base the need for specialized microbiological  investigation and consulting is ever growing. Environmental Administrators strives to provided the highest quality of specialized microbiological  investigation and consulting through hands-on monitoring of indoor air quality investigations and assessments using state of the art forensic equipment such  as an Infrared Thermography Imaging Camera, Micrometer and PCR/DNA testing equipment.

We use state of art certified laboratories for processing our PCR/DNA samples and utilize a broad network of medical experts to develop fact based case evaluations regarding medical causation matters. We do not advise on medical health issues, but we do work with the client to comprehensively understand these issues in order to properly litigate the case. We combine the available environmental, epidemiological, medical and toxicological evidence for each case to develop detailed fact based case assessments.

We provide complete litigation research materials and services to assist in nearly every aspect of mold case litigation from observation of possible water intrusion using the Infrared Thermography Camera to the successful resolution in a court of law.