Mould Remediation – Project Management
It’s important with mould contamination not to just treat the effect of the mould, but to also identify the root cause and put controls in place to prevent it from re-occurring.
Because of the unique circumstances of each mould remediation project, we follow the highest International standards of care to ensure our remediation protocols and procedures are of the highest quality. There are five general principles used in our remediation process:
- Provide for the health and safety of workers and occupants
- Document the conditions and work processes
- Mould Contamination control
- Mould Contamination removal
- Mould Contamination prevention
All these steps are supported by rigorous testing protocols and executed by professional, trained and competent staff.
Health Effects of Damp & Mould
Damp properties can cause mould, which releases invisible spores into the air and can cause health issues.
Building materials of organic origin (e.g. plasterboard, softwood joists and wallpaper) are particularly prone to fungal growth especially when the material is damaged by water e.g. leaking water pipes, flooding or faulty building construction.
Current research suggests that some groups are especially vulnerable to exposure to mould in damp environments and these are documented as children, the elderly, pregnant woman, those with cardiovascular or respiratory problems; persons with immunodeficiency or those with allergies.
Properties within the moulds themselves, or as a by-product of their growth and reproduction phase, can increase the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma as well as distress to the immune system. For further details please refer to the World Health Organisations guidelines for indoor air quality : dampness and mould 2009.
Often ordinary living conditions can cause damp and mould, such as cooking, bathroom condensation, drying clothes on radiators, all when without the adequate ventilation. Some properties can also be poorly ventilated, and this needs to be addressed to ensure mould contamination is eradicated and the root cause is tackled.
Microbial Testing – Surface & Air
Fungi growing on building materials can often be recognised by their velvety-dusty appearance and by their characteristic colours ranging from black to grey-brown to blue-green to pink. The spores released by mould and fungi are invisible to the naked eye and must be identified and removed from the environment.
We use bespoke analytical tools for testing surfaces and bulk materials for mould contamination on site. These methods quantify the level of mould on different building materials and surfaces as well as inside porous materials and the indoor air environment. We measure spores, hyphae and fungal particles such as hyphal fragments to give the most comprehensive representation of the contamination in the environment.
Completion Testing & Certification
Post remediation, we perform air and surface cleanliness testing protocols that ensure we have reduced mould contamination and provide detailed and documented prevention advice. Where necessary, DisasterCare can provide recommendations for increasing ventilation to a property, reducing the risk of damp and mould returning. We treat the cause, as well as the effect of damp and mould.
This is reinforced with certification and documentation to give you a complete piece of mind.
