Mold Inspection

What is the Common Sense Approach to residential mold inspections?

It's knowing where to look and what to look for when inspecting a home for mold. It's about knowing what to do when you find water damage. It’s being knowledgeable about the problem and the solution. It’s about conducting business swiftly and efficiently. It’s all about safety for your family and our workers. Bottom line, it’s about honesty, experience and a commitment to doing what’s right.

It’s true, the visual assessment is the first and most important part of any residential mold inspection. Recognizing visible mold, mold friendly environments and signs of previous water damage are important to develop accurate assessments. We use thermal cameras, moisture meters and probes to help identify wet materials that may not be visible to the normal eye.

Remediation Guidelines

Eliminating mold problems in residential buildings should generally be handled through the same process.

1. Identify the moisture source and take the necessary steps to control the moisture.
2. Assess the extent of the affected areas.
3. Develop a Scope of Work for remediation.
4. Follow accepted guidelines for safety and protocol.
5. Have an independent laboratory analyze the post remediation samples.

Regardless of the variety of treatments and new inventions that are emerging every day, the only recognized set of guidelines was developed by the EPA Environmental Protection Agency and The New York City Department of Health years ago. These two sets of guidelines are similar in protocol. They offer a safe and controlled procedure for removing mold affected materials.

Guidelines tell us that procedure for remediation is determined primarily by the square footage of the affected area. Small jobs (less than 10 square feet) may be handled by regular maintenance staff as long as they use dust suppression methods and personal protection. However, large jobs should be performed by professionals skilled in proper remediation techniques. The type of mold generally doesn’t alter the remediation protocol.

For isolated areas, constructing plastic barriers to contain the work area is vitally important. Negative air pressure is established and prevents cross contamination of unaffected areas of the interior.

Air Testing

We recommend air sampling for the following:

    • To insure an affected area has been properly remediated.
    • To determine the extent of an affected area.
    • When home buyers are investing in a new home.
    • After a flood or plumbing leak where building materials have gotten wet.
    • Any time health issues are suspected of being caused by moldy conditions.
    • To help identify the source of hidden musty odors.

Ambient air tests are used to evaluate interior air quality for airborne mold spores that could lead to odors and an unhealthy environment.

Wall cavity air tests are useful for walls where a previous water intrusion took place and there are questions whether the wall was cleaned properly during the repairs.

However keep in mind that air sampling is not an exact science. Atmospheric conditions change frequently and false positives happen for a variety of reasons. Isolating the areas to be tested is critical for accurate results. Lastly, test results should always be used in a general sense.

Asbestos Abatement

Buildings built prior to 1980 should be tested for Asbestos containing materials before any demolition. Airborne fibers released into the air can be injected and cause health problems. Asbestos is commonly found in acoustic ceiling coatings, vinyl tile, floor mastic, insulated ducting, drywall and drywall mud. We follow proper protocol and safety rules to protect your family and our workers.

Structural Pasteurization

It's scientifically proven that the process of heating a structure to sauna like temperatures for the predetermined periods of time will act as an interior sanitizer. Heat kills bacteria like Salmonellae, E, coli. Heat kills viruses and other pathogens. Dust mites, spiders, cockroaches, termites and even bed bugs are eradicated with the Coastal heat method. By adding HEPA filtered air scrubbers to the process airborne particulates are removed dramatically improving the indoor air quality.

Structural Sanitizing is used for:

    • Homes
    • Apartments
    • Preschools
    • Nursing Homes
    • Restaurants
    • Locker Rooms
    • Medical/Dental Offices
    • Hospitals Rooms

Senior Safe Home Modifications

When moving from home is not the best option, Senior Safe Your Home. Coastal Risk Management offers a wide variety of home modifications that povide easy and safe access to maintain an active lifestyle. As a General Contractor (710352) we have the expertise to handle all trades needed for any modification. Call us for a free in home consultaion.

    • Walk-In Tubs
    • Stair Lifts
    • Roll In Shower Enclosures
    • Entry Ramps
    • Safety Bars
    • Consulting

Construction

Water mitigation, mold remediation and asbestos abatement almost always require demolition. Coastal Risk Management's reconstruction division specializes in restoring interiors to preexisting condition. Wall board replacement, kitchen cabinets to complete bath remodeling you can count on Coastal to restore your real property to like new condition. Coastal is a licensed General Contractor (CSLB #710352).