Commercial Mold Remediation
If mold has waged an invasion upon your business or commercial building, 3W Cleaning Service can professionally remove this threat. Don’t let mold affect your building’s structure and the well-being of its occupants.
What is Mold Remediation?
Mold Remediation is the process of removing mold from buildings. It is particularly critical to use certified, trained experts for removal to avoid the potential health problems of the building’s occupants and the possibility of liability. It involves not only removing the mold, but also determining the source of the moisture, containing the affected area, and identifying the type of mold or mildew involved.
The first step in the remediation process is to locate and take steps to fix the source of the moisture problem so that the mold will not reoccur once it has been removed. In addition to checking for water leaks, our specialists will inspect ventilation systems and determine if there are condensation and high humidity issues within the building structure.
Our experienced technicians will then perform an in-depth inspection to visually identify the type of mold and, if necessary, collect samples of moldy materials for further lab analysis. There are numerous species of mold and while it can be in plain sight, it is often hidden under drywall, carpets, paneling, and ceiling tiles, or located in ductwork, crawl spaces, and roofs.
Depending upon the level of contamination, containment steps may include isolating the building or area within the building with polyethylene sheeting to reduce the release of mold spores into the air during remediation. Equipment such as fans and wet and/or HEPA vacuums may be used, and contaminated building materials will be removed in sealed containers. Remediation requires not just eradication but also removal of the mold, since dead mold continues to cause health problems such as allergies.
Of primary importance is the safety of the building occupants, which in some cases may require temporary relocation if large areas of contamination are involved. During the remediation process, 3W Cleaning Service will maintain open communication with the occupants, owners, property managers and any health professionals involved, to address any concerns such as musty odors or possible health problems.
Why Is Mold Remediation Important?
First and foremost, it is important to identify and remove mold to protect the health and well-being of your building’s occupants. In addition to allergic reactions, mold spores can cause headaches, skin rashes, eye, nose and throat irritation and difficulty in breathing, including asthma attacks. While all molds can cause health problems to varying degrees, there are some, such as aspergillus flavus and parasiticus, that produce potent mycotoxins that are extremely harmful, especially to children and immune-suppressed adults, and must be removed immediately by competent licensed professionals. Legal liability is also an issue that must be addressed as soon as possible by showing due diligence in remediating the premises.
Mold, along with the accompanying moisture, can also damage your building’s structure, materials, furniture, and business inventories, thus affecting the value of your assets.
How Is Mold Testing Performed?
While it is not necessary to perform sampling in all cases, our industrial hygienists can determine upon inspection if there is a mold problem that requires testing by an accredited lab, both initially and after remediation has been performed. Many certified labs will not accept samples from individuals or property managers, as strict protocols must be followed in obtaining and preventing contamination of samples. The types of samples we collect and seal in sterile plastic bags include materials such as carpet, wallboard, and insulation. We may also test the air for spore content and collect water samples from moist areas such as drain pans and cooling towers. After remediation has been completed, the types and concentrations of molds and mold spores inside the building should be similar to those found outside, and there should be no further health complaints from the occupants.
If you are experiencing a mold or mildew problem in your commercial building located in Baltimore or the surrounding areas, please contact 3W Cleaning Service today for an inspection and remediation plan that will help you breathe easier in the future.
