Mold Remediation

U.S. Catastrophe Inc. makes use of a common four step process in responding to mold problems, Quick Response, Identification, Remediation Implementation, and Repair & Replacement.

I. U.S. Catastrophe Inc. will respond promptly with the appropriate actions to control and stop water damage and likely exposure of the occupants.

If a water intrusion problem is stopped, the effected material treated, and the drying process started within 48 hours, the proliferation of mold and fungi can typically be avoided. The IICRC Water Restoration Standard should be followed when drying structures and contents.

The next step U.S. Catastrophe Inc. implements is identification.
- Identify the origin of the water intrusion.
- Identify the scope of the contamination.
- Identify and establish appropriate safety precautions for Remediation.

In some cases, moisture and mold growth may not be observable. A possibility exists that moisture and/or mold may be present or growing on hidden surfaces, such as inside wall cavities, behind paneling, on the tops of ceiling tiles, on the underside of carpet and pad, in pipe chases, in utility tunnels, on porous thermal or acoustic liners inside of duct work, on roofing materials above ceiling tiles, etc. In some instances the building may need to be evacuated in order to provide adequate safety for the occupants during remediation.

Upon the achievement of step two U.S. Catastrophe Inc. will set in motion an appropriate Remediation Plan.

Implement a Scope of Remediation appropriate to the size and extent of the contamination to include containment and personal protective equipment.
Damaged material that can not be cleaned or that is more expensive to clean than replace must be removed.
Materials that that are not porous and severely damaged should be cleaned and salvaged.
Porous or severely damaged materials should be bagged and disposed of properly.
The Remediation Plan should only be carried out by properly trained personnel.

If during the course of a structural dry down or diminutive abatement process an excess of mold is discovered, a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) should be contracted to perform a thorough investigation of the structure in order to establish the extent of the damage. The CIH should then be required to write the Remediation Scope to be followed by the Remediation Contractor. This Remediation Scope or Protocol will be comprised of such items as what materials are to be removed and to what extent, what materials are to be cleaned, what atmospheric controls are to implemented, the level of containment, the level of Personal Protective Equipment, Clearance Requirements, etc.

Finally U.S. Catastrophe Inc. will repair and or replace damaged materials.

Repair and replace removed materials incorporating necessary changes to correct the underlying moisture problem.

Prior to the repair or replacement of any materials, the structure and its contents should be brought to a predetermine level of dry standard (This will be accomplished with an assortment of moisture detection and drying equipment.), and a Final Clearance Report from the CIH should be published.