Property managers, property owners, and renters may all encounter mold problems in the spaces they lease, manage, or rent. Few things bring a business to a halt, like mold. Just like mold found in homes, mold discovered in an apartment, at a business, in a commercial building, or rental space can be detrimental to its inhabitants—and a liability issue.
Once mold is discovered, the clock is ticking. What may seem like a small problem can quickly grow into a larger issue. Rainbow Restoration® provides professional, experienced service to keep your tenants, employees, and customers safe.
Choose Rainbow Restoration for commercial inspection, remediation, and mold removal services. Call (800) 262-0244 to schedule an inspection.
What Does Mold Removal Involve?
Did you know that the state of Illinois does not require licensing for mold remediation? Because of this, anyone can claim to be a remediation contractor. Due to the health risks associated with mold exposure, it is recommended that you seek out mold removal and remediation services that are conducted by a certified remediation specialist. Proper mold removal does not consist of using over-the-counter products that claim to kill mold. Because remediation is invasive, it is best to leave mold remediation up to certified professionals that are trained in handling hazardous materials and follow a standard of care. Rainbow Restoration is the leading mold removal and remediation company in Chicago, Illinois.
Assessment:
Before performing mold removal and remediation, you must identify and correct the source of what is causing the mold to grow. Mold will grow if moisture is not controlled. Rainbow International Restoration’s mold remediation specialists will help identify the source and advise how to correct it. Some of the most common sources of mold damage are linked to:
Water damage that goes unnoticed or was not properly cleaned up
Seepage, cracks in your foundation
Roof leaks
Poor ventilation, high humidity
Improper insulation
Plumbing Leaks
Improper clean-up after a backup of sewers or drains
Containment:
When mold is disturbed, it can easily spread through the air, making it much more difficult to capture. These tiny organisms are called mold spores. Rainbow Restoration’s mold removal specialists will isolate the work area to prevent the mold spores from contaminating other parts of the structure.
Filtration:
Reducing the mold spore count in the air is just as important as removing mold from building components. Rainbow Restoration utilizes HEPA filtration machines to purify the air and reduce the number of mold spores floating around.
Removal:
Mold is a living organism and can deeply ingrain itself into materials to survive. This is why mold must be physically removed from the structure. Attempts to cover up mold on the surface will lead to contamination issues down the road. Therefore, the EPA does not recommend that you use bleach as a means of mold removal.
Mold removal and remediation always begins and ends with meticulous HEPA vacuuming to capture mold spores from surfaces.
Stain removers are often used to eliminate or reduce mold staining. EPA-registered antimicrobials are applied to all affected areas to prevent the mold from returning.
Final Inspection:
Following remediation, a thorough post-completion inspection is conducted. We will arrange to have a post-clearance test performed by a third party. Clearance testing ensures that the spore count inside the structure has been reduced and has returned to safe levels for a fungal ecology indoors. Rainbow Restoration guarantees that we will pass a clearance test.
Health Risks of Mold
Mold can cause structural damage, but more importantly, it can cause serious health risks. Because of this, it is important that you look for the warning signs that mold may be present. Mold contamination has the potential to cause health issues among some individuals. Some of the reactions that can be triggered by mold are:
Headaches
Breathing difficulties
A persistent cough or cold symptoms
Burning or irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or lungs
Asthma attacks
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Skin irritation
Allergic reactions
Opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals
Microbial growth, better known as mold, can grow anywhere as long as moisture, oxygen, and organic material for it to feed on is present. Microscopic mold spores float around the air and begin to cluster and grow on surfaces when moisture is introduced to the environment.
There are over 1.5 million species of mold in the world, however, only about 100,000 have been identified. Mold can grow just about anywhere, and they all grow as a result of moisture.
If you suspect mold or moisture issues in your building, do not ignore them, as they will only worsen with time. Protect the health of the building occupants by contacting Rainbow Restoration at (800) 262-0244 to set up a mold inspection.
OSHA Standards and Mold
Mold is of such concern that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set forth strict guidelines for addressing exposure. Failure to address employee or tenant concerns about the presence of mold or failure to remove mold from a facility may have legal repercussions for business owners or facility managers. Always act quickly to any report of mold and refer to OSHA standards for mold prevention resources.
We follow all local, state, and federal regulations when remediating mold damage at a property.
