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Florida Mold Remediation or clean up is generally accomplished in three phases
for homes in Naples, Ft Myers, Bonita springs, Marco Island and Cape Coral. The Preliminary mold inspection,
the actual cleanup and finally the Post -remediation or Clearance inspection. Not performing the mold cleanup
in this order can not only be costly in dollars but in the consumers safety and health.
Mold Testing & Mold Remediation is best done following protocols developed by the industry experts. These "rules"
are developed in stages.
1. Guidelines (remember guidelines are just that, guidelines)
a. Best known is the New York City Mold Cleanup Guidelines
b. Many Analyical Labs have published guidelines for collecting
mold samples.
c. EPA also has guidelines for mold cleanup.
2. Standards: (Nationally Industry accepted)
a. IESO has mold testing standards, only ANSI approved mold testing
Standards.
b. IICRC S520, Mold Remediation Standards, ANSI approved.
c. IICRC S500, Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water
Damage Restoration
(ANSI, American National Standards Institute)
3. Regulations:
a. No Federal Regulations but many states (26) are trying to pass legislation
concerning mold .
b. Texas and Florida now have laws concerning mold that impact
the mold cleanup business more than any other states.
Preliminary Mold Assessment:
(independent assessment company best)
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CIE, Certified Indoor Environmentalist can determine if a structure has a mold issue and make recommendations for corrections.
Note:
Certified Indoor Environmentalist - third party assessment:
Best that inspector not perform any type
of remediation so there is no conflict of interest. Your goal is to have inspector provide accurate
information without bias so that educated decisions can be made.
New Florida Mold Law will not allow mold assessment and remediation by the same Company on a
job within 12 months.
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Ch. 2007-235 LAWS OF FLORIDA Ch. 2007-235
15 468.8419 Prohibitions; penalties.—
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(d) Perform or offer to perform any mold assessment to a structure on which the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company provided
a mold remediation within the last
12 months. (Assessment)
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(d) Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company provided a mold
assessment within the last 12
months. (Remediation)
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Do You have Mold?
Reasons or benefits for a preliminary Mold Inspection:
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- Defined “Scope of Work”: Defines the boundaries of the affected area(s)
needing remediation. Additionally, knowing if the airborne levels are in a range of thousands, or hundreds of thousands may
affect decisions regarding the timeliness of remediation, and the continued occupancy of the home.
- Documentation: Many insurance adjusters will not authorize or undertake mold remediation
if the presence of mold growth is not scientifically demonstrated. We identify the presence or absence of mold growth with
AIHA EMLAP accredited laboratory analysis. Elevated moisture presence is identified through non-intrusive visual inspection
with the use of infrared thermal imaging and other moisture detection equipment.
- Recommendations for corrections: Know the extent of cleaning and what specific
items/materials can be saved and how, plus what items/materials should be disposed based on nationally accepted industry standards.
- Receive accurate remediation proposals: Saves homeowners and insurance companies
money.
- Achievement of “Clearance” is a significantly higher percentage: Providing
useful information to remediation companies equals a successful project and allows occupants to return home quicker
since additional cleaning after post remediation inspection and testing is reduced or eliminated.
- Assessment cost is covered by most insurance companies:
- Cross contamination? Many times when remediation is performed without a preliminary
assessment and a containment is used; the post remediation air quality will pass inside the containment but will fail outside
the containment. Knowing the extent of airborne microbial amplification before remediation begins eliminates questions
of whether cross contamination occurred.
- Can be used as part of the Seller’s Disclosure: Detailed documentation gives the prospective buyer a sense of comfort
knowing the entire process was handled appropriately from start to finish while following accepted industry standards.
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Mold Cleanup Companies
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Storm / Fire / Water / Mold
office: (239)
567-0001 (Lee)
(239) 992-0061 (Collier)
toll free: (866) 760-6653
fax:
(239) 997-0016
Contact: Brian
Bland
cell:
(239) 707-7931
email: brian@H2O911.com
Infrared Thermal
Imaging Cameras
Mold remediation with clearence certification
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Gulf Coast Restoration & Construction
Commercial & Residential Specialists
Water ~ Mold ~ Fire ~ Rebuilds
CGC1508232
1-877-267-9420 or 239-267-9400
24/7 on-site within 2 hours
http://www.gcrcinc.com/index.html
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Puro Clean
Kevin Koch cell (941) 979-7677
PuroClean 1st Restoration Solutions
Charlotte (941) 205-3131 * Lee (239) 628-1040
Sarasota (941) 244-9440 * Fax (941) 637-9693
website: http://www.puroclean1strestoration.com/
Our services
include:
- Water Removal, Dehumidification, and Deodorization
- Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage
- Mold Mitigation and Remediation
- Specialty Services
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Water
Damage / Intrusion
In
the event of storm damage or a plumbing failure it is important that the consumer / homeowner understand the proper approach
to water restoration save money and minimize possible damage to your possessions.
Unfortunately,
to minimize assessment and immediate costs, many homeowners, property managers and homeowners associations are deciding to
use unqualified personel to extract water with “wet vacs”, install low capacity fans and spray a deodorizer to
cover the smell.
This
approach (do it yourself) often creates secondary damages:
- the delaminating of carpeting and flooring;
- unwanted effects of humidity on pictures, documents, clothing and more;
- the absorption of moisture in gypsum board (drywall), baseboards, and
insulation;
- the growth of mold.
A qualified mold inspector can determine if the structure has been dried properly using non intrusive moisture detection equipment such as thermal imaging
infrared cameras and moisture meters.
Hire an independent “Certified Indoor Environmentalist” to perform this assessment.
The
following steps are recommended by a IICRC water damage restoration company:
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Protect
all occupants from electrical danger
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Remove
as many contents off the floor as possible
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Evaluate
the damaged areas
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Extract
all standing water
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Create
wall opening for ventilation
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Install
Dehumidification equipment
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Install
high velocity air movers
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Install
specialty drying equipment if necessary
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Return
daily to monitor the drying process
HAVE
A QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT “AmIAQC Certified Indoor Environmentalist”
Assessment
the moisture removal and possible mold contamination.
Remember:
water intrusion from a unit above down thru the walls is not considered “clean water”
and can create possible health concerns.
We
hear to often about homeowners calling on a carpet cleaner when their carpets are wet or they have two or three inches of
water in their building. Hire water damage restoration professionals, the cost
of water damage restoration is much less than the cost of mold remediation.
Note: It
is common for the unseen moisture / mold problems to be ignored. Drywall soaks
up water like a sponge, and without the proper tools to find these affected areas and the proper equipment to dry them
it is impossible to be sure of the structures safe indoor air quality. An independent company to assess the cleanup
job is always in the consumers best interest.
Mold Certifications / Qualifications: |
Only AmIAQC requires two years experience to apply for a certification.
ESA, PRO LAB and others just require you take a one or two day class and pass a simple test to become certified.
Remember some training is to the consumers benefit, new Florida law will require 4years experience and extensive training
for mold inspectors.
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All Certifications are Not the Same!
Does
your certification incorporate these important features? |
Instant
Certifications |
IAQ Council
Board-awarded
Certifications |
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1. |
Requires an expensive mandatory course |
ü |
NO |
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2. |
Includes free certificant listing on website |
ü |
ü |
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3. |
Awarded by an established non-profit
organization |
? |
ü |
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4. |
Examinations based on standard industry reference
texts |
? |
ü |
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5. |
Requires documented continuing education for
re-certification |
? |
ü |
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6. |
Psychometrically qualified exams |
? |
ü |
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7. |
Awarded by a certifying body independent from
trainers |
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ü |
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8. |
Board-awarded by a nationwide panel
of industry peers |
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ü |
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9. |
CESB-accredited programs (third-party
accreditations) |
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ü |
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10. |
Compliant with ISO standards 9000,
9001, 9004, 17000 and 17024 |
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ü |
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11. |
Compliant with AERA, APA and NMCE
examination standards |
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ü |
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12. |
Exams based on industry knowledge (no required
courses) |
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ü |
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13. |
Board-mediated enforcement of code of conduct
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ü |
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14. |
Written appeals & due process procedures
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ü |
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15. |
Field experience requirements verified
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ü |
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16. |
Education requirements verified
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ü |
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17. |
Permanent, private, secure candidate files
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ü |
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18. |
Secure electronic exams by independent
third-party proctors |
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ü |
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19. |
Instant online exam score reporting |
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ü |
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20. |
Exam score report identifies areas of deficiency
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ü |
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21. |
Online tracking of recertification activities |
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