An integral part of the mold cleanup process is to make sure that all procedures and protocols have been followed satisfactorily; the purpose of clearance testing and certification is to ensure that all contaminants have been removed from the property. This is why we not only offer our testing and certification services to customers who have utilized other remediation companies, but also perform this investigation as part of our own mold removal and remediation process.
Clearance Testing Protocol
Our investigating technician conducts a thorough visual inspection of all work areas in the property. Their job is to look for evidence of remaining traces of mold or moisture, and to make sure that all construction materials and byproducts of our work–shavings, dust, debris–have been eliminated from the work site. As the investigator conducts his visual inspection, he also retrieves air and surface samples from all of the cleared areas of the home. All samples are accompanies by extensive notes, including information about the property, the room the sample is from, and the indoor and outdoor environment. These notes will be used by the evaluating lab to assist in the accurate analysis of the air and surface samples.
Laboratory Testing for Mold Spores
We hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to mold remediation and removal, because even the smallest oversight can result in the redevelopment of mold. When this happens, the whole process of remediation must be repeated, needlessly costing property owners thousands of dollars.
This is why we choose to send our clearance samples to a number of different independent third party laboratories, including NationLabs, MACS Labs, and EMSL Analytical. Once the samples have been received by the lab, they are analyzed for any evidence of unwanted mold spores that might still be present in the area following the completion of remediation. The lab ensures the validity of the testing by comparing it to outside samples, as well as samples prior to the beginning of the mold removal process. Once the lab has finished analyzing the samples and produces its results, that information is returned to us, where we put together a full report of the findings.
Mold Spore Concentrations
It should be understood that the presence of mold spores, indoors and out, is inescapable. Even the most diligently cleaned building will have some mold spores present, as outdoor air circulates and mixes with the indoor environment. However, in normal concentrations, such as those found outdoors, mold spores are completely harmless. The goal of mold remediation is to remove all abnormal indoor mold colonies, so that the indoor environment is roughly equivalent to the outdoor environment.
The lab determines this by making sure that the strains of mold spores from the pre-remediation indoor samples are not present in the post-remediation indoor samples, and secondly, that the post-remediation samples have spore strains and concentrations that are close to identical. If this is the case, then the lab can confirm that no cross-contamination has taken place, and that all hazardous mold infestations have been removed from your property.
Mold Clearance Certification
Once it has been conclusively determined that a home is clear of all mold contamination, IR Environment will provide you with a Certificate of Clearance for the affected property. This certifies that your property has been successfully sanitized and cleared, and comes with a 10 year mold-free guarantee on our remediation work.