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Cle  Following the guidelines put out by the EPA and other government entities is highly recommended. Secondly, not getting scammed means that they (the company who is selling their mold removal services) advertise that they are “certified mold inspectors and/or remediators”. Currently there is no mold certification provided for by the government so don’t pay for something that doesn’t exist. 

Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors.  One consideration is the size of the mold problem.  If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases you can handle the job yourself by following the guidelines below.  However:

* If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth that covers more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.  Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.  It is available free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or here at: epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html.

* If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold.  Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.           

* If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA's guide  “Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?”  before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building.  Visit epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html, or call (800) 438-4318 for a free copy.            * If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.

* If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.

If you choose to clean up the mold yourself the following tips will be helpful:     

1. Take Steps to Protect Yourself 

The amount of mold particles in air can increase greatly when mold is disturbed. Consider using protective equipment when handling or working around mold contaminated materials. The following equipment can help minimize exposure to mold:

    * Rubber gloves
    * Eye goggles
    * Outer clothing (long sleeves and long pants) that can be easily removed in the work area and laundered or discarded
    * Medium-efficiency or high-efficiency filter dust mask (these can be found at safety equipment suppliers, hardware stores, or some other large stores that sell home repair supplies) -- at a minimum, use an N-95 or equivalent dust mask

2. Take Steps to Protect Others 

Plan and perform all work to minimize the amount of dust generated. The following actions can help minimize the spread of mold spores:

    * Enclose all moldy materials in plastic (bags or sheets) before carrying through the home.
    * Hang plastic sheeting to separate the work area from the rest of the home.
    * Remove outer layer of work clothing in the work area and wash separately or bag.

3. Begin Drying All Wet Materials

As soon as possible, begin drying any materials that are wet. For severe moisture problems, use fans and dehumidifiers and move wet items away from walls and off floors. Check with equipment rental companies or restoration firms to see if you can rent fans and dehumidifiers.

4. Remove and Dispose of Mold Contaminated Materials

Items which have absorbed moisture (porous materials) and which have mold growing on them need to be removed, bagged and thrown out. Such materials may include sheet rock, insulation, plaster, carpet/carpet pad, ceiling tiles, wood products (other than solid wood), and paper products. Likewise, any such porous materials that have contacted sewage should also be bagged and thrown away. Non-porous materials with surface mold growth may be saved if they are cleaned well and kept dry.

5. Clean Surfaces

Surface mold growing on non-porous materials such as hard plastic, concrete, glass, metal, and solid wood can usually be cleaned. Cleaning must remove and capture the mold contamination, because dead spores and mold particles still cause health problems if they are left in place.

a. Thoroughly scrub all contaminated surfaces using a stiff brush, hot water and a non-ammonia soap/detergent or commercial cleaner
b. Collect excess cleaning liquid with a wet/dry vacuum, mop or sponge
c.  Rinse area with clean water and collect excess rinse water

6. Disinfect Surfaces (if desired)

After cleaning has removed all visible molds and other soiling from contaminated surfaces, a disinfectant may be used to kill mold missed by the cleaning. In the case of sewage contamination, disinfection must be performed.

    * Mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water and apply to surfaces where mold growth was visible before cleaning. The solution can be applied with a spray bottle, garden sprayer, or it can be sponged on and applied by other methods.
    * Collect any run-off of bleach solution with a wet/ dry vacuum, sponge or mop. However, do not rinse or wipe the bleach solution off the areas being treated -- allow it to dry on the surface.

Always handle bleach with caution.  Never mix bleach with ammonia — toxic chlorine gas may result. Bleach can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Provide fresh air (for example, open a window or door). Protect skin and eyes from contact with bleach. Test solution on a small area before treatment, since bleach is very corrosive and may damage some materials.

 Remain on MOLD ALERT - Continue looking for signs of moisture problems or return of mold growth. Be particularly alert to moisture in areas of past growth. If mold returns, repeat cleaning steps and consider using a stronger solution to disinfect the area again. Re-growth may signal that the material should be removed or that moisture is not yet controlled.

When Can We Rebuild?

Rebuilding and refurnishing must wait until all affected materials have dried completely. Be patient. it takes time to dry out wet building materials. A moisture meter may help measure drying progress.

Can Ozone Air Cleaners Remove Indoor Mold?

Some air cleaners are designed to produce ozone, which is a strong oxidizing agent and a known irritant of the lungs and respiratory system. Studies have shown that ozone, even at high concentrations, is not effective at killing airborne mold or surface mold contamination. Even if mold were killed by ozone, the health threats would not be reduced until mold contaminants are removed through cleaning. Health experts do not recommend the use of ozone to address mold or any other indoor air problems.
The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you clean up your mold problem.  Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered in this section.  Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.  It may not be possible to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored.

How Do I Know When The Remediation Or Cleanup Is Finished?

You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished. 

    * You should have completed mold removal.  Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present.  Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.
      
    * You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.
      
    * People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms.
      
    * Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. But if you have followed these guidelines with due diligence you will probably be on the right track to recovery.

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