Signs of potential microbial growth in a building can be concerning and should be addressed before additional damages occur. Mold growth occurs due to an elevated moisture condition either from a water leak or a humidity issue. Locating the source and repairing or correcting it should always be the first step prior to removal or cleaning of any suspect growth.

While any mold can be potentially dangerous, black mold is exceptionally so and perhaps the most well-known. Also called “toxic mold,” black mold is scientifically known as stachybotrys chartarum. You may find this type of mold growing on wood, paper, or cotton. What makes black mold dangerous the toxic chemicals that can sometimes be present in its fungus fragments and airborne spores. To fully eradicate this or any mold from your home, it is important to rely on mold remediation experts, as surface level cleaning will not be sufficient.

If you discover mold in your home, it is important to avoid direct contact or any attempt to clean the mold yourself using chemicals or disinfectants. It is also important to refrain from attempting to dry any remaining moisture in the area, particularly by blowing air across the moldy surface, as this can release mold spores into the atmosphere. Instead, leave the area, turn of any fans or air conditioning units, and contact a mold remediation specialist like Guarantee Restoration.

Not removing mold properly can lead to a much larger issue for your building and any occupants or visitors. Here is a general guide of the mold removal process that you can expect on your property.

• Mold Testing: Before any work begins, the suspected area must be tested by an industrial hygienist. The IH will provide you with a written protocol which will act as the step-by-step procedure to follow for mold remediation.
• Containment Barrier: The area where the mold is located needs to be correctly enclosed from the remaining parts of the structure. All vents and exposed areas must be closed and contained. This will protect the rest of the structure from cross contamination during the removal process.
• Air Quality Control: We set up air filtration devices to scrub the air and assist in removing the mold spores that have become airborne. By setting up negative air pressure in the room, we ensure that clean air is pushed outside of the containment area.
• Building Material Removal: We will remove the affected building material if cleaning and encapsulating is not a plausible solution (drywall, baseboards, etc.).
• Anti-Microbial Cleaning: We hand clean the entire affected area with an anti-microbial solution.
• HEPA Vacuuming: We use HEPA vacuums to final clean the entire affected area.
• Clearance Testing: Once all the mold is removed and the area is clean, the industrial hygienist will return to complete another air quality test for clearance. The goal here is to have the mold spore count at or below the mold spore count outdoors of the affected property. Once this happens the structure is safe to re-enter and inhabitate.

A biohazard is a biological material such as blood that could potentially pose a threat to anyone who may come into contact with it. Common examples of biohazard materials include human bodily fluids and waste, animal waste, and items found in labs or medical settings such as specimen cultures or discarded needles.

Biohazard cleanup is often necessary following an accident, injury, or death. Neglected homes and instances of hoarding can also necessitate biohazard services. The Guarantee Restoration team addresses these situations with expertise and sensitivity while fully cleaning and sanitizing all affected areas to once again make them safe for work or inhabitation. Types of biohazard cleanup services we provide include:

• Bodily fluids and blood
• Virus Decontamination (including COVID-19)
• Sewage Sanitation 
• Crime scene cleanup
• Deodorization
• Hoarding cleanup

The Guarantee Restoration team understands the importance of ensuring both the integrity of your structure, as well as the health of anyone who enters. Mold and biohazard waste pose serious threats to both and can be particularly dangerous for anyone with a compromised immune system. Our team of mold remediation and biohazard specialists are experts in the latest removal techniques and finish every job with testing to ensure safety.