Why Should You Trust SERVPRO with Mold Damage in Syracuse?

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s Structural Remediation Strategy of Mold Damage in Syracuse Homes

Successful mold damage remediation in your Syracuse home requires a multi-disciplinary approach involving seasoned and experienced professionals. SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified techs use several mitigation and remediation strategies to get your home back to preloss conditions as quickly as possible.

One of the top priorities of SERVPRO techs during remediation of mold damage from your Syracuse home is to control the contamination at its source. If the mold spores become aerosolized, they become much more challenging to capture, and the chance of them spreading throughout your home increases exponentially. Once the SERVPRO techs identify the microbial growth, they use several tools to remove it from the contaminated structure and contents physically. 

The Importance of Engineering Controls in Mold Remediation

Engineering controls are the steps taken to prevent the spread of mold growth in remediation processes. Some of the engineering controls that SERVPRO techs routinely employ include the following-

• Source Containment
• Isolation barriers
• Pressure differentials
• HEPA vacuuming
• Air filtration

Engineering controls help prevent the aerosolization of the mold spores and spread the contamination to the unaffected areas of the structure. The two most important engineering controls that SERVPRO mold specialists use are containment and pressure differentials.

• Containment

Isolating mold-contaminated materials or areas is called “containment.” SERVPRO techs use containment barriers made from polyethylene sheeting material to create three containment systems- source, local, and full-scale containment.

Techs use source containment if visible fungal growth is limited to a small area and when they don’t anticipate any hidden mold growth. A polyethylene sheeting taped over the affected area constitutes a local containment.

A local or “mini” containment is essential in dealing with moderate levels of fungal growth. Techs usually build an enclosure using PVC pipes, wood framing, and spring-loaded extension poles and cover it with 6-mil poly material to cut off the affected area from the rest of the structure.

An entire room or building section is designated as the work/containment area in a full-scale containment. Techs establish critical barriers to separate unaffected areas from affected areas. A room could be set up as a “decontamination” chamber to stage equipment and PPE.

• Pressure differentials

Techs use pressure differentials to manage the airflow and keep the contaminated areas negatively pressurized relative to the unaffected areas. SERVPRO mold specialists use air filtration devices equipped with HEPA filters to create pressure differentials in your Syracuse home.

The IICRC S520 guidelines recommend a pressure differential of ≥ 5 Pascals to contain mold fragments and spores.

Managing the Airflow and Exchange Rates

SERVPRO techs use air exchanges to dilute the airborne fungal concentrations in the containment areas. When air is exhausted from the containment area, replacement air enters; this is called “make-up air.”

SERVPRO techs ensure that a minimum of four air changes occur per hour for proper ventilation and dilution of microbial spores. We use negative air machines fitted with HEPA filters to ensure that no airborne spores or fungal particles are exhausted in affected areas.

Managing the airflow is also essential as too much negative pressure can easily collapse containments. Techs routinely check the barriers to ensure that there is no breach of containment.

When is Controlled Demolition Necessary?

Controlled demolition is necessary for some situations if extensive fungal growth is present on porous surfaces such as drywall, insulation, or ceiling tiles. Techs take extra precautions to prevent aerosolization of mold spores and fragments during a controlled demolition.

Techs use dust suppression methods if controlled demolition is necessary. Once the contaminated material is removed, it is double-bagged in 6-mil polyethylene sheeting before disposal.

SERVPRO techs are committed to helping you restore your home “Like it never even happened.”  

If you need assistance with mold damage, call SERVPRO of East Onondaga County at (315) 446-8776.