|
|
|
Mold Assessment and Abatement Oversight
Mold is everywhere. The presence of mold in buildings is not necessarily a
concern... it's the proliferation of mold growth that is the problem.
Property owners, tenants, landlords and employers can all be affected by the
complications of mold growth in buildings. Building damage, possible health
effects, and costly litigation can all be the result of unwanted mold growth.
Additionally, with mold exclusions included in most current insurance policies,
the cost for mold clean up is often an out-of-pocket expense.
We live with mold in our environment everyday. It is one of nature's
recyclers as it feeds on wet organic materials, slowing breaking down the
host material. Although this has its place in the environment, it is less
desirable in residential and commercial properties. Where excessive moisture
impacts an organic material (such as wood, ceiling tile, cellulose insulation,
paper on drywall, etc) mold growth will occur.
Controlling moisture and quickly removing a source of moisture from
the interior of buildings is the most important step in preventing the
proliferation of mold growth in your house or building. The presence of
mold, water damage or musty odors should be addressed immediately. Time
is working against you.
Certain types of molds are believed by some medical professionals
to cause serious health effects in humans and animals, such as allergies,
respiratory problems, headaches, fatigue, etc. As a result of these
potential problems, recent court judgments have awarded million dollar
settlements to plaintiffs claiming to be adversely affected by mold.
If mold is suspected or has been identified in your building, you
should seek advice from a mold professional, such as an Industrial
Hygienist or Indoor Air Quality Professional. It is highly recommended
that such a professional be retained prior to contracting a mold abatement
company. An independent, third party opinion is essential to keeping the
cost of mold abatement to a minimum.
Prevention or correction of moisture and microbial contamination
problems requires a thorough investigation and assessment of your
entire facility. WESTECH has proven experience at identifying potential
moisture sources, pinpointing microbial contamination, measuring relative
humidity levels, and assessing air quality. As part of the assessment,
we conduct detailed interviews of occupants, inventory and document all
physical damage to real property and its furnishings. WESTECH provides a
prioritized plan of action for resolving existing problems and preventing
future environmental challenges.
Our Services Include:
Mold Assessment and Abatement Oversight - Former Restaurant, Cincinnati, Ohio
Assessed the presence of moisture and mold in a commercial building formerly operated as a restaurant. A leaking roof and improper ventilation combined with a disengaged basement sump pump in this vacant building created moisture and humidity conditions ideal for mold growth. The assessment revealed mold growth on every interior surface containing organic material. Molds including, Stachybotrys, Aspergillus and Penicillium were identified throughout the building, in particularly where building materials were heavily impacted with water.
On behalf of the building owner, WESTECH mobilized a team of contractors to make the necessary repairs to the facility to prevent further water infiltration, evacuate the standing water in the basement, re-energize the sump pump and improve the ventilation of the building.
WESTECH prepared abatement specifications, identified qualified mold abatement contractors, obtained cost proposals for the necessary abatement, and presented the most qualified abatement proposal to the client. WESTECH conducted oversight of the abatement activities and conducted clearance inspections and sampling at the completion of the abatement project.
Mold Assessment During the Sale of a Residential House - Cincinnati, Ohio
During a real estate transaction, WESTECH, at the request of the selling party, responded to a report of mold in the attic of the house. The homeowner was presented a cost proposal for over $9000 to abate mold found in the attic during a home inspection. WESTECH reassessed the attic and found the mold to be isolated to a small portion of the attic. This reassessment resulted in the reduction of abatement costs to less than $1000. WESTECH conducted a mold assessment following the abatement activities to verify the mold was successfully abatement. The closing of the real estate transaction went on as scheduled.
Mold Assessment of Bathroom - Middletown, Ohio
Assessed a reported leaking water pipe in a bathroom of an apartment complex. The assessment revealed a leaky pipe had impacted the drywall and subflooring in the bathroom requiring their complete removal and replacement. Substantial mold growth had occurred behind a vanity and within the walls of the bathroom. WESTECH assisted the apartment building owner with retaining an abatement contractor to complete the partial demolition, mold abatement and restoration of the bathroom. WESTECH conducted sampling activities following the removal of mold and wet building materials to assure that mold growth would not recur.
Mold and Moisture Assessment in an Elementary School - Mason, Ohio
WESTECH responded to an elementary school following the complements of several faculty members to musty odors and perceived poor air quality in a classroom. WESTECH conducted a moisture assessment to find water infiltration though an exterior wall resulting in elevated concentrations of mold and bacteria in the wall and surrounding area. WESTECH prepared abatement specifications to, first, mitigate the water infiltration through the wall, followed by the abatement of the mold and bacteria.
Moisture and Mold Assessment Following Structure Fire - Cincinnati, Ohio
A residential structure was exposed to the elements following a fire that destroyed most of the second floor and roof of the building. Several rain events occurred before the exposed building materials could be repaired or temporally covered. The presence of moisture and subsequent mold growth on the building materials prevented the immediate restoration of the building.
WESTECH conducted a moisture and mold investigation of the building and provided the contractor with procedures to be used to remove the mold growth, and remove or dry the wet building materials. WESTECH reassessed the building materials during the abatement process to verify that moisture concentrations were within acceptable levels and that the mold was removed prior to beginning of reconstruction activities.
Prior to starting the interior build out of the structure, a mold assessment was conduct to verify the successful removal of mold for the building materials.
|
