AVOIDING MOLD AND WATER DAMAGE LIABILITIES IN HOMES
Overview Part I Why Mold? Why Now? Part II Water Intrusions Part III Mold Contamination
Part I Why Mold? Why Now?
Mold Has Been an Issue for a Long Time!! Biblical references to mold Leviticus 14:33-57 The procedures are similar Scrape sand or wire brush, or dry-ice blasting Remove demolition Dispose bag it and take it to the dump
Not a New Subject! Why Now? Lawyers! The media! TV Newspapers Magazines
Issues Mold is Forcing Heightened Awareness Syndrome Increased Liability Increased Insurance Costs Changes in Construction Building Maintenance/Emergency Response
Perception is Reality! Scientific Evidence It does exist Lawyers They are winning large settlements Facility Managers/Home Owners The complaints are real Fixing It Is Expensive
Part II Water Intrusions
What Kind of Water? Liquid Vapor = Humidity So, let s start with the liquid part.
Common Myth-understandings Myth-understandings Any carpet cleaner can suck wet rugs. All you need to fix sewage problems is to spray some disinfectant on the carpet. Mold problems can be prevented by spraying mildewcide on wet carpets. All water damage creates mold problems.
What Can Happen When Pipes Freeze
What Can Happen When a Water Damage Is Not Dried Properly
All Water Intrusions Are Not Created Equal Categories of Water During Water Damage: Category 1 Clean Water Category 2 Gray Water Category 3 Black Water
The 5 Principles of Drying 1. Remove excess water 2. Evaporation rapid rapid and direct air flow 3. Dehumidification 4. Temperature control 70-90 5. Psychrometry the the science of drying
Check for Hidden Moisture Ceiling/Floor joists Roof rafters and trusses Crawl spaces
Use the Science of Drying Moisture Sensors Thermal hygrometer Non-penetrating moisture meter Penetrating moisture meter Hammer probe
The Drying Cycle Evaporate moisture into the air Control microbial growth while drying Collect and remove the evaporated moisture
Evaporate Moisture Air Movers Not household fans 1100 cfm to 2000 cfm Evaporate moisture into the air Velocity and volume Control microbial growth while drying Collect and remove the evaporated moisture
Collect and Remove Moisture Evaporate moisture into the air Control microbial growth while drying Collect and remove the evaporated moisture Low Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifiers Not household dehumidifiers Removes 120 pints per day (15 gallons) Has automatic discharge
Collect and Remove Moisture Evaporate moisture into the air Control microbial growth while drying Collect and remove the evaporated moisture Desiccant Dehumidifiers Special uses in extreme conditions: Large areas Hard-to-dry dry materials Can operate below 0 0 Fahrenheit Can reduce humidity down to 0%
Control Microbial Growth Speed of Drying Act immediately Equip the area adequately Measure the drying progress Control microbial growth while drying Evaporate moisture into the air Determine whether all materials have been returned to pre-loss moisture levels Collect and remove the evaporated moisture
Vortex Drying System
Injection Drying System
So, When is It Dry? When the carpet feels dry? When it looks dry? When it smells dry?
So, When is It Dry? It s s dry when the moisture sensors say the affected materials have returned to pre-loss moisture levels.
Part III Mold Contamination
Mold: What Can One Spore Do?
Identification of Mold Mold you see on the surface is just the tip of the iceberg. It doesn t look so bad until you look below the surface!
2-Week-Old Clear Water Flood
Contamination Only Base High?
18" High Mold Doesn t End Here
Still Higher!
Higher!
Under the Carpet
Why Is Mold Harmful Now? Pre-existing Medical Conditions Confounding Factors Susceptible Population Chronic Exposure Time Weighted Exposure
A Typical Remediation Project Distribution of the Work Cleanup 10% Preparation 30% Remediation 40% Demolition 20%
Proper Containment
Specific Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Protection Eye Head Hand Respiratory Use the right protection for the job
Negative Air The process of creating a differential in air pressure between two areas Negative Air Machines Air Scrubbers -0.02 on a manometer Poly bellies in
Remediation Controlled Demolition Initial Cleaning Final Cleaning Decontamination
Remediation Do-It-YourselfDo-It Be familiar with the EPA and NYC guidelines Limit yourself to less than 10 sq. ft. Protect yourself PPE Contain the area Close the door Hang a sheet of poly
Remediation Do-It-YourselfDo-It Create Negative Pressure Open a window and blow air outdoors Bag contaminated materials Clean really, really well! HEPA vacuum the area Damp wipe with soap and water Know what you can t t handle!
When You Need Help We re just a phone call away 603-524-4889 4889 Or 603-226-9399
No federal regulations directly address mold remediation yet! State regulation in the proposal/bill writing stage now?
The All Brite Advantage Same Day Response 24 hours a day 7 days a week Certified Restorers Serving Central New Hampshire Since 1987
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