A & M Assessors Company

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We offer the best advice to your property

Services

Did you know that almost every indoor environment has mold at low levels? It’s true! But when there is visible mold in a home or the number of airborne mold spores is higher than normal, a mold problem exists. Professional mold removal is a careful, step-by-step process involving the use of specialized equipment and cleaning agents. We determine if black mold exists inside homes and buildings. Our certified mold inspectors perform moisture inspections and testing to determine if a mold issue may be hiding inside your property. There are many details involved in doing this process correctly and we go as follows:

Our inspections are personally conducted by a trained Certified Mold Inspector committed to providing the utmost integrity and maintaining the highest standards of skill and practice in the environmental inspection profession.
Every inspection is conducted by a Licensed Insurance Adjuster.
Our services are deliberately limited to inspections, testing and reporting. It is our strong conviction that environmental inspectors should not profit from problems they discover in the course of their investigations. For that reason, we are purposely not engaged in the business of mold remediation.

Mold Inspection

A mold inspection or mold assessment is the first and most important tool in detecting hidden mold issues or conditions, such as previous or current moisture issues, that could be leading to hidden mold growth. Many times, there are water intrusion issues occurring that are hidden from view & can only be detected with special equipment.
A & M Assessors Company can provide a complete visual inspection of the premises to determine if there are conditions that could be leading to microbial growth. We check all walls for hidden moisture, take temperature & humidity readings throughout the property, pay close attention to the rooms with plumbing such as; bathrooms, kitchens & laundry rooms, along with checking the HVAC system (air handler & ductwork) for visible mold growth. This will help us determine the issue(s) occurring in order to determine the next steps for resolving the problem.

Mold Testing

The inspection will help determine what type of testing is needed to properly assess the extent of the mold growth inside the property. There are many testing options for mold growth such as; Air sampling, swab sampling (of suspected visible mold growth), carpet sampling, wall cavity sampling, bulk sampling (of affected material), ERMI mold testing & culturable mold samples (for speciation). A & M Assessors Company will determine what type & how many samples should be taken in order to properly assess the mold infestation. The samples are sent to a certified microbiology laboratory for analysis & results will be available as soon as 24 hours.

Mold Remediation

Mold Remediation is a process where an existing mold problem is removed or cleaned up from a residential or commercial property. The goal of remediation is to remove or clean contaminated materials in a way that prevents the emission of fungi and dust contaminated with fungi from leaving a work area and entering an occupied or non-abatement area, while protecting the health of workers performing the abatement. Listed below are some general methods that can be used during a mold remediation procedure.

Cleanup & Removal Methods

The purpose of the clean-up process is to eliminate the mold and fungal growth and to remove contaminated materials. As a general rule, simply killing the mold with a biocide is not enough. The mold must be removed since the chemicals and proteins, which cause a reaction in humans, are still present even in dead mold.

Containment

This method is used for preventing mold spores from spreading into other parts of the property. When the mold is disturbed the spores can become airborne and migrate to other areas. Plastic sheeting is used to contain the mold in the designated area. Special negative-air pressure machines are implemented to keep the air pressure from pushing spores out of the containment. The contained area is where all the work takes place & needs to be properly cleaned prior to removal of the barrier. Special testing known as clearance or post-remediation verification testing is used to ensure the air & surfaces are free of abnormal levels of mold prior to containment being completed.

Vacuum

Wet vacuum cleaners are designed to remove water from floors, carpets and other hard surfaces where water has accumulated. Wet vacuuming should only be used on wet materials, as spores may be exhausted into the indoor environment if insufficient liquid is present. After use this equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and dried as spores can adhere to the inner surfaces of the tank, hoses, and other attachments.

Damp Wipe

Damp wipe is the removal of mold from non-porous surfaces by wiping or scrubbing with water and a detergent. Care must be exercised to make sure the material is allowed to quickly dry to discourage any further mold growth. With surfaces such as metal, glass, hardwood, plastics, and concrete, mold should be scraped off as much as possible. Then, scrub the surface with a fungicide cleaner.

HEPA Vacuum

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered vacuum cleaners are used in the final cleanup of remediation areas after materials have been thoroughly dried and all contaminated materials have been removed. HEPA vacuum cleaners are recommended for the cleanup of the outside areas surrounding the remediation area. During this process the workers wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure to mold and other contaminants. The collected debris and dust should be stored in impervious bags or containers in a manner to prevent any release of debris.

Disposal of Debris & Damaged Materials

Building materials and furnishings contaminated with mold should be placed into impervious bags or closed containers while in the remediation area. These materials can usually be discarded as regular construction waste.