Mold Remediation Standards

I was excited to be present when the latest edition of the IICRC S520 Mold Remediation Standards were introduced in Vancouver Washington on October 11th, 2008. Having had the privilege of contributing to the S100 Carpet Cleaning Standards, I had some small understanding of the work that was involved in compiling this vast amount of information from such a wide variety of brilliant and hard working experts in both the research and field work arenas.

The need to continue to update such standards was revealed to me just 45 minutes ago:

I was called by a representative of a restoration company who needed assistance with a job that did not pass final exit testing protocols. When I questioned the procedures that were followed, I found that the company violated very obvious rules as spelled out in the S520 Standards. The representative objected that they had been trained in mold remediation in 2004, but also confessed that they had not updated their training since.

This situation spoke to the need to keep ourselves updated in the fields in which we work, especially in such a high liability field such as mold and microbial remediation.

With guidance based on the current S520 Standards, the contractor is now confident that they will be able to correct the problems, and I don't doubt that the job will pass all needed clearances.

For the full story about the latest edition of the S520 Mold Remediation Standards, go to: http://www.iicrc.org/newsflash.shtml

Severe Animal Odors - When Salvage is No Longer an Option

When is it not worth saving carpet that has been extensively contaminated by urine or other animal discharges?

There are a few rules of thumb, including:

When over 20% of the carpet is contaminated

When contamination has caused severe color loss

When contamination has caused extensive delamination

When the floor underneath of the carpet is hardwood, and could be refinished to a good appearance and improve the room without carpet

When the cost of the products and labor involved begins to near the value of new carpet, pad, tack strip, and installation

That said, do not think carpet replacement will solve the problem! In cases where carpet has been contaminated so badly that it needs to be replaced, you must assume that the subfloor is also badly contaminated. Sanding and sealing will need to be done at a minimum, and in cases of extensive penetration of urine throughout the subfloor, entire sections of the floor may need to be replaced.