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What Should I Do if I Find Mold?
Finding mold in your home or business can be scary, especially when you are unsure of the type of mold. We recommend you do not disturb it or remove the mold on your own. The fungi can be very sensitive and small movements can easily distribute the problem to other areas. Have a full inspection conducted with a remediation plan. Have a professional remediator contain and remove the mold in accordance with a plan and have the area tested to make sure it is cleaned thoroughly.
Is Mold Dangerous?
Molds can cause health issues ranging from mild allergy symptoms, to asthma, to opportunistic infections in individuals who are immunocompromised. Issues experienced are highly dependent on the individual, the level and duration of exposure. Brownstone Environmental recommends treating all molds as being dangerous and having the area tested promptly.
What Does Black Mold Look Like?
When people refer to “Black Mold” they are using the term to mean "Stachybotrys" mold growth which appears black to the naked eye. Most individuals are highly sensitive to this mold. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to tell molds apart without obtaining a sample and looking at the sample underneath a microscope. Many common molds appear “black” when observed on building material, so it is important to use caution and get an inspection as soon as possible.
What Are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?
The symptoms that individuals experience due to mold exposure is highly variable. Mold can cause moderate to severe allergic reactions including allergic asthma, redness of the eyes, hay fever, hives, and allergic sinusitis. When some individuals are exposed to the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) produced by some molds, sensitive people may experience headaches, lethargy or vague flu-like symptoms.
How to Get Rid of Mold
Getting rid of mold in your home or business can seem like a daunting process. Brownstone Environmental has a simple step-by-step process with any discovery of mold to ensure the process is as easy and stress-free as possible.
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Brownstone Environmental will conduct a thorough visual inspection, taking samples from the air and hard surfaces, as well as other measurements/observations of the suspect area and property.
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We conduct laboratory analysis of the collected samples to determine the type of mold found.
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Combining all of the information, results, context, we create a conclusion of the type/scope of the problem and write a protocol with remediation plan for the remediation contractor.
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Any water intrusion issues must be addressed in advance of mold remediation, or the problem will return.
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A trusted remediation professional will be provided our protocol and follow the recommended procedure to remove the mold.
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Brownstone Environmental will conduct a clearance survey and sampling to determine if the project was done correctly before the contractor may remove their equipment.
Get an Inspection for Mold
Brownstone Environmental provides Mold Inspection Services to Residential, Commercial, and Government clients. We work to provide a comprehensive plan to identify and resolve issues associated with mold growth in homes, commercial buildings, and government facilities.
Provide a Mold Protocol for Contractors (Plan of Action)
Brownstone Environmental will create a Mold Protocol to ensure that the mold removal process is done correctly and safely. A Mold protocol creates a roadmap of rules, expectations, procedures that the contractor needs to follow in order to fix the mold issue safely and successfully without creating a bigger problem or harming anybody.
Get a Final Inspection and Clearance
During a final inspection, Brownstone Environmental will visit the site while all air purification systems and containment barriers are still in place. We will check if the area is thoroughly cleaned - no apparent dust or dirt anywhere. Next, we will take air samples to determine if there is any remaining presence of mold and the concentration. Finally, we will complete a lab analysis and give verbal authorization before the contractor may remove their equipment.