Frequently Asked Questions
Do you test for mold
We do not test for mold due to the conflict of interest associated with performing the
remediation and assessing the samples. There are some restoration companies who
perform pre-testing, conduct their mold remediation, and perform their own clearance
testing – which begs the question of whether they operate a business in an ethical
manner. The conflict of interest associated with the ability to falsify results is
noteworthy – as such, we adhere to the highest ethical standards and practice total
transparency to keep the process unbiased and free of potential conflicts.
Can you give me an estimate without coming to my property?
Unfortunately, we cannot. There are many attributing factors which play a role in the
price of a remediation; to offer our clients the most accurate price possible we must
visit the property and conduct a visual assessment to determine the extent of the
problem.
Do you guarantee your work?
We guarantee to professionally re-mediate your project and bring the conditions back to
what’s considered normal and healthy ecological conditions - thus guaranteeing the
property to pass post-remediation verification (clearance testing/air testing) by a firm of
your choice.
It is impossible to guarantee with absolute certainty your job will pass clearance testing
on the first try due to the nature of mold itself – it is an invisible enemy. On infrequent
occasions, there are times when additional remediation efforts are needed to achieve
the goal of restoring your property to healthy living conditions. If we do not pass a
clearance test on the first try, we honor our guarantee with the following:
1.) We will return to the property, at our expense, to treat any areas which may
need further remediation (within the realm of your original scope of work)
2.) We also pay the cost for any subsequent clearance testing associated with
additional remediation efforts needed to bring the property back to healthy
living conditions.
Are the occupants of the property at risk?
The only way to determine if there is a significant health risk is to have pre-testing done
at the property which will scientifically determine the specific type(s) of mold present
along with any associated airborne spore levels – using these details, the inspection firm
will be able to determine whether the area poses a health concern.
Are we required to do post-remediation clearance testing?
You are not required to conduct clearance testing. We always suggest having it done
because it allows a third-party unbiased authority to “grade” our work and determine if
the job was a success. Without post-remediation verification, there is no definitive way
to scientifically guarantee the project has been returned back to healthy living
conditions.
How quickly can mold grow?
In ideal conditions, mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours. There are many
factors such as humidity (moisture), food source, and temperature which play a role in
the ability for mold to flourish.
➤ Hydrophobic (water-fearing) genres of mold tend to grow in drier environments
(55-60% RH) and begin to flourish in 48 hours under ideal conditions.
➤ Hydrophilic (water-loving) genres of mold tend to take longer to grow (10-14
days) and require an extremely wet environment which is also abundant with
organic materials that are rich in cellulose.
Why was there no evidence of mold last week, and now it’s all over?
Mold can grow rapidly under the right conditions; depending on the specifics of your
property, it’s likely that the area in question meets all the criteria for rapid growth.
Contact us today to set an appointment with a project manager so we can obtain a
better understanding of the situation and prepare a plan to eliminate the problem and
prevent secondary damage from occurring.
Where did the mold come from?
Mold will always be found outdoors at any given time – it is one of the oldest organisms
on the planet. It is not unhealthy to have mold present in levels similar to what would
be found outside. Mold becomes a problem when the levels are elevated beyond what
would be considered a normal and healthy ecological environment (condition 1) – this
can happen if you have a humidity issue in your home, or if you’ve suffered from a flood
which caused building materials such as drywall or wood to be saturated.
Is the mold in my property toxic?
All mold is considered to be toxic in highly elevated concentration levels; determining
the type of mold present in your home, the airborne spore levels, and whether there is
an immediate health concern is done by contacting a third-party mold inspection firm.
We can provide a referral if needed, but we do not conduct testing (see FAQ titled “Do
you test for mold?”)
Do we have to vacate the premises while your performing the remediation?
In most cases, no. Once we inspect the property, we will be able to determine what
steps are needed for remediation. Inside the containment zone of the remediation, we
cannot have traffic going in-and-out due to negative air pressurization inside. Breaking
the containment barrier can cause unaffected areas to become contaminated and can
reduce the effectiveness of the equipment. Your project manager will discuss more
detailed specifics of your project upon inspection.
What will the living conditions be like during the remediation?
They can range from being extremely non-intrusive, or in extreme cases require vacating
the home. The severity of mold in a property is on a case by case basis and is
unpredictable prior to inspecting the property. Majority of the time, we are able to
work around occupants living in the home and avoid displacement – however,
depending on the location within the property undergoing the remediation...there is
always a chance of intrusive living conditions, or complete displacement during the
remediation.
Are the chemicals you’ll be using harmful?
Benefact is the antimicrobial used by our company, it is 100% botanical, non-toxic to
humans or animals, and is effective in killing 99.99% of germs, mold, and fungi.
Benefact is derived from a revolutionary blend of antimicrobial extracts found in plants
and is comprised entirely using only food-grade plant extracts.
What is the significance of being an IICRC certified firm?
“Just as any professional performs at a higher level of competency in their fields, IICRC
Certified Technicians set themselves apart through training, experience, and comprehensive
examination. The examinations consist of the successful completion of one or more of the 28
certification courses available.
When you see an IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced,
qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ
technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have
received IICRC Certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories such
as upholstery, wood flooring, stone and tile flooring, carpet cleaning, odor removal, mold
remediation, water damage, fire damage restoration and more.
Certified Firms are the only cleaning, restoration and inspection companies listed in
the IICRC locator. They also promise to adhere to the IICRC Code of Ethics, be current in
their business insurance and licensee requirements, and can proudly display the IICRC logo
on their company website and vehicles.”– (https://iicrc.site-ym.com/page/IICRCHireCertFirm)
