Indoor mold has arisen as a significant problem in the real estate industry over the last few years. In response to this significant problem GeoFocus has established a large team of certified mold remediation technicians. Centrally located in the greater Toronto and Ottawa areas GeoFocus can quickly and efficiently mobilize to assist with any size mold project throughout the province of Ontario.
The process
Mold should be treated like hazardous waste. To prevent further and more serious contamination, mold must be properly located, removed, and disposed of. GeoFocus recommends that mold be removed only after a qualified indoor air quality consultant has completed an inspection, reviewed sampling test results and recommended a protocol for remediation. At this point GeoFocus:
| 1. | Reviews the mold clean-up protocol provided by qualified indoor air quality consultant. |
| 2. | Develops a customized plan incorporating a mold removal strategy that (a) locates the moisture source, (b) corrects the problem and (c) removes mold by cleaning and disposal…all with minimal disruption of occupant routines. |
| 3. | Reviews the mold removal plan with one of our certified mold remediation crews and discusses work procedures with occupant(s). |
| 4. | Builds the appropriate containment chambers and incorporates negative air pressure techniques to limit cross-contamination (via airborne mold spores) during cleaning and removal. |
| 5. | Seals mold contaminated materials in double-thick polyethylene plastic bags and loads them for disposal. |
| 6. | Cleans non-porous materials with antimicrobial cleaning solution, dries them thoroughly, and uses high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums to remove 99.97% of all airborne particles. |
| 7. | Dries wet, non-moldy materials to prevent mold growth. |
| 8. | Runs air scrubbers (to filter air) for 24 hrs to ensure remediation effectiveness. |
After the remediation, GeoFocus asks the qualified indoor air quality consultant to inspect and provide post remediation verification. If the cleaning and removal has been successful, indoor mold levels will be equal or lower than outside levels and clearance will be granted.
Mold Remediation Myths
Improved ventilation will “dry out” and eradicate mold. While good ventilation can stymie mold growth, established mold contamination cannot be solved by improving an existing air conditioning and filtering system. Once mold has germinated, it can become airborne, in which case even the best air conditioning system available only serves to move existing mold to multiple areas throughout a building.
Bleach applications can kill the plant mold. But mold grows from its roots, which are found inside porous or semi-porous construction materials. Chlorine fails to penetrate drywall, wood and other porous/semi-porous substances. Accordingly, bleach is a mere “surface” treatment that is powerless to permanently eradicate mold.