If water damage isn’t addressed quickly, it can lead to serious mold problems. Mold remediation might not be an option if there is severe damage to the system or serious health problems for the occupants. Some situations may require more extensive remediation. Mold can also be dangerous if it is attempted to be solved by you.
It can be difficult to find a qualified remediator who is knowledgeable about the dangers of improper remediation. Ask these questions before you hire a New Orleans mold remediation company.
- Are you concerned about mold? Remediators are not health professionals but must be aware about the toxic nature of indoor water damage. They need to be familiarized with the term mycotoxin and the difference between toxic reactions to poisonous substances and an allergy to mold.
- Would you recommend the environment be tested for safety? Testing should be conducted before and after the remediation in order to demonstrate the success or failure of the project. It is not the responsibility of the remediator to conduct such testing, as it could lead to conflicts of interests. It is much better to test outside sources. Potential remediators shouldn’t dismiss testing as incontinental.
- Keep a detailed record of your work. Contractors should digitally photograph all work. This is especially important for work that involves the removal or modification of building materials. Once the job is complete, the customer should have digital photos.
- Do you have the ability to control the area properly? This is critical. Don’t allow contractors to disregard the necessity of containment. Protect the entry point to the containment site with plastic sheets and protection in order to prevent cross-contamination. The negative air machines (NAMs), must be HEPA-filtered and then ejected to the outside.
- Are you a contractor? Contractors may not be covered by insurance. This could lower your prices, but it can also increase your costs. You want someone you can trust when it comes business practices.
- Do your workers wear protective gear? Yes. Yes. Workers must wear safety glasses, respirators, as well as hazmat suits. It is essential to have disposable shoes covers, as foot traffic is a major source for cross-contamination.
- What can you do to dispose of waste materials? It is important to immediately bag all waste materials after removing them. The items must be disposed of immediately. The disposal process should be swift to minimize the possibility of damage or leakage. Bagged items should not be cross-contaminated.
- Do you wrap your equipment? HEPA vacuums or air scrubbers are vital for remediation. It is important to wrap the equipment properly before it can arrive at your site. Equipment like this could be contaminated by previous work. You could end up worse if you don’t take preventive measures.
You can find additional information about mold remediation on 911 Restoration of New Orleans’s website. You might consider hiring another contractor to handle your concerns and questions. You are the expert on your own health. Ask tough questions. Listen to your gut and make the best decisions for your family’s wellbeing and health.
