Specialized in:

  • Water Extraction
  • Flood/Sewage Extraction
  • Dry Down
  • Dry Out
  • Fire Restoration
  • Smoke Remediation
  • Odor Remediation
  • Mold Remediation
  • Clean Structure
  • Clean Contents
  • Stabilization
  • Pack Out
  • Roof Shingle Emergencies
  • Board Up
  • Bio-Hazard
  • Trauma Cleanup
  • Graffiti Removal
  • Vandalism

Mold

Indoor air quality has been a buzzword primarily in commercial building maintenance; first with asbestos and then "sick building syndrome". There has not been much talk of air quality in the home until recently with the national media drawing attention to some high profile mold cases. Until then mold had only been thought of as a minor irritation to the millions of people who have allergies. Now we know that mold can be much more serious to our health.

There are thousands of different types of mold and they exist naturally in every part of the world. Most of them are relatively harmless at normal levels and may cause an allergic reaction in higher concentrations. Some, as you know, are positively harnessed to make medicine and a variety of foods. There are a few, however, that can cause internal bleeding, pneumonia-like illnesses and brain damage. These types of mold are classified as a toxicigian and attack at a minimum, the immune system. More serious toxigenic mold also attacks the central nervous system and/or cardiopulmonary systems. The difficulty in determining adverse health affects related to mold exposure is that every person reacts differently to the species involved, the bi-products that each mold gives off, the amount and duration of exposure the susceptibility of the individual. It is best to consider all molds in the home as potentially dangerous and deal with the problem.

QUALIFIED TO REMOVE

ACI Services L.L.C. (ACI) is a well respected water restoration company and licensed general contractor. ACI supervisors have had extensive classroom and hands on training on microbiology, mold remediation, personal protection equipment and safety to guarantee a proper mold removal process is carried out at the job site. Our technicians have also had training on microbiology and proper methods for removing mold from a structure.

PROCESS

The proper mold removal process is similar to that of asbestos:

  1. An ACI specialist comes to the building and performs a water, moisture and mold inspection
  2. Sampling is done by an independent qualified specimen taker to determine the type, quantity and extent of mold contamination and establish the area that needs to be remediated. This process is not always required and will be explained to you.
  3. Temporary containment barriers are constructed and sealed off from the rest of the structure and set up with an air scrubbers to create negative air in the containment area.
  4. Building materials with visible mold growth are removed and sealed in plastic bags for disposal. Mold can be disposed of in any landfill.
  5. If visible mold is found framing lumber, it is HEPA vacuumed, washed, sanded and sealed. Sometimes some parts of the structure are removed.
  6. All remaining surfaces inside the containment area is HEPA vacuumed, cleaned and HEPA vacuumed again
  7. Clearance samples are taken. Containment is left in place until clearance is passed by an independent qualified specimen taker. ACI recommends that only a Certified Hygienist be used to clear an area or building.
  8. Rebuilding the affected area can begin after clearance testing.

TIME LINE & ESTIMATING

Mold removal can begin before lab results are back. ACI will start with obvious contamination. If lab results prove other areas of the structure also have mold the scope of the removal process is extended at that time. Mold remediation ranges from one day for a small area to a week or longer if the entire house is to be addressed. Average industrial hygienist costs are from $800.00 to $2,000.00, while average remediation cost are from $2,500.00 to $5,000.00. Larger contamination areas will be proportionately higher in cost.

INSURANCE

Insurance should be involved in every case to make them aware of the problem, especially if the source of the water is from the roof, storm or plumbing, related. Insurance may not pay for the job's cost if the mold is related to poor building practices or home maintenance. Take care of the problem before insurance companies starts omitting mold from homeowners policies.

MOLD FACTS

  1. Try not to disturb mold colonies after you have located them. Air motion will send millions of spores into the air, cross-contaminating the rest of the room/structure.
  2. When remodeling, if you open ceiling or walls and find mold, stop until the hazard can be analyzed. Tearing out mold building materials has the same effect as above.
  3. Trying to kill mold with bleach or other fungicides does not remove the toxins from the air. A dead spore will continue to give toxins until it is removed.
  4. Mold will grow as long as there is enough moisture and a food source. Mold spores can stay dormant for years until proper growing conditions appear or return.

MOLD MISCONCEPTIONS

  1. Sealing painting over mold does not kill the mold or remove the toxins. It is only a short term fix while poor health symptoms will continue
  2. Mold will dry and go away
  3. Just spray on bleach and kill it
  4. Tear out the mold products and throw them away. This needs to be done but it has to be done with containment and placed in sealed bags

INDOOR AIR QUALITY EQUIPMENT

The key to an effective mold removal process is to use a qualified company. Before the removal process though it is imperative that the source of the moisture be determined and corrected. Our hazard analysis will locate the source of the moisture and we will be able to offer suggestions for fixing the problem. We also can recommend a full line or air filtration, turbo dryers and dehumidification equipment.

SIGNS OF MOLD

1. Sensory

Most tell tail sign is a musty smell commonly associated with molds. Mold can appear brown, green, black, yellow, off white, or gray. Any mold can cause illness. Mold will grow on any type of material, e.g.: glass, drywall, paint, wood, paper, wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tiles insulation, dirt, dust, etc. A moldy odor present without any visible mold still means there is a problem.

2. Health Symptoms

Mold can be present without any odor also. Mold trapped inside a wall cavity will still give volatile toxins that are breathed in or absorbed through the skin unknowingly. These toxins are what make you sick. If you have some of these symptoms you may have a mold problem:

  • Chronic cough, sore throat, itchy eyes
  • Headache, blurred vision, hearing loss
  • Hair loss
  • Flu symptoms, diarrhea, hot and cold spells
  • Fatigue, general malaise, psychological depression
  • Dermatitis, crawling skin
  • Decreased attention, disorientation, poor reflexes, dizziness
  • Memory loss

These are all signs that you may have a mold problem. Obviously, these symptoms could be related to any number of illness but you need to focus on this - Do you have these symptoms all the time or just when you are at home? If you feel worse at home than you do when you are out chances are that it is something in the home that is making you feel that way... Mold.

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  • Cell 1 (304) 826-0238
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  • Office (304) 594-3373
  • acirestoration@yahoo.com


Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification