ALL remediation projects big or small should be performed by a licensed & certified to mold remediation company.
Companies should be using botanical products, proper engineering controls, and building science to ensure that the sources of contaminations are being removed in a manner that will not cause additional damage and cross-contamination to the building.
Additionally, it is important to work with a mold remediation company that truly understands working with all clients, especially individuals that are hypersensitive to their built environment.
Finding a company that understands the technical nuances needed to perform remediation for individuals with CIRS, Lyme Disease, Mycotoxin Exposure, etc is very difficult.
Here are some great questions to ask when speaking with remediation contractors. Remember ultimately you want to make sure they can get through these questions and direct technical questions to the assessor who performed the inspection and testing.
– Does your company perform mold testing and remediation?
– Answer should only be remediation. It is a conflict of interest to do both and illegal in some states to perform the inspection and remediation on the same project.
– Can you explain an ERMI and Mycotxin samples to me?
It is important to work with a company who understands the types of testing performed. You want them to at least have a general knowledge of the testing type.
– Have you ever performed remediation for someone with CIRS, LYME, MCS or Auto Immune disorder?
– Understanding the home owners needs is so important. Working with this clientele type requires a different degree of remediation.
– Can you please send me a list of your certifications and licenses?
– At a minimum you want to make sure they have Certified Mold Remediation Managers on staff that oversee the project day by day and are onsite with the workers making sure the work is getting done properly.
– Do you require a mold inspection and testing prior to your remediation and after remediation is completed? Do you guarantee your work?
– The company should require a remediation plan from a separate company, this should always be provided by the assessment company who performed the inspection and testing. Additionally, post testing should always be performed by the initial inspector and be used to guarantee the remediation performed. If the work is failed by the inspector, there should be no added cost to the home owner for the remediation company to come back and do work needed to finish job, as long as the work falls within the original remediation plan provided.
– Side note, post inspections should include both a visual inspection, moisture mapping and testing. The testing protocols should mirror the samples collected during the initial inspection. A visual post inspection only is not acceptable!
– Are you familiar with fine particular remediation?
– This is a very thorough cleaning procedure performed after the remediation of the source areas that involves a full home wipe down and cleaning.
– Will you be willing to go thru the report with the mold assessment company that performed the assessment?
– Should be yes, its important there is collaboration between all parties involved. They should have an all hands on deck approach.