Post Remediation Testing

Post Remediation Testing

Once mold remediation is complete, most homeowners breathe a sigh of relief. However, professionals who work in the industry know that the job isn’t done until successful post remediation testing is complete. This vital step is one that should not be overlooked in any building where a mold problem has been diagnosed and treated.

Think of post remediation testing as a verification that the remediation process has been successful. The results are certified by a laboratory, and rigorous testing standards are always used. When done correctly, post remediation testing gives the homeowner priceless peace of mind that their house is safe and hygienic once again.

Sometimes called a “clearance” or “post remediation verification,” post remediation testing is a critical part of ensuring that a mold problem has been eliminated. If the affected area cannot be cleared, then it is not ready to be occupied yet. More remediation steps may need to be completed before the containment structures can be removed.

When Should You Test?

The best time to perform a post remediation test is when the mold removal is complete. Ideally, the containment that has been put in place to seal off the affected area from the rest of the structure remains in place until testing can be conducted. Test data is gathered before any necessary reconstruction as it is not a good idea to install new drywall or complete any other construction tasks until the mold problem is known to have been resolved.

In most cases, it is considered preferable to perform the testing a minimum of 24 hours after remediation activities have ceased. It also is preferable to gather the test samples before 48 hours have elapsed. During this 24- to 48-hour period, all windows and doors must remain closed. The technicians who performed the remediation must turn off any air scrubbers or purifiers before the test takes place. Recommendations suggest that these machines be turned off for at least 24 hours before the samples are taken. However, the machines should remain in place in case they are needed again.

If it is possible, then it is ideal for the heating, ventilation and cooling system to remain off before the testing. This prevents re-contamination in these systems before the test results reveal that the remediation efforts were successful. The inspector may want to take samples from HVAC components at least in the remediation area and perhaps also within the entire system to eliminate the chances of cross-contamination.

Why Post Remediation Testing Can’t Be Rushed

It is only natural for people to want their mold problems to be solved with all possible speed. However, successful post remediation test results cannot be rushed. Guidelines suggest a minimum of 24 hours of air conditions that are utterly still before testing can commence. This waiting period allows airborne dust and other particles to settle, allowing for a more accurate test. You definitely do not want anything to interfere with the accurate results of this test.

What Takes Place During a Post Remediation Test?

A trained, experienced inspector conducts a visual observation of any areas on the property that have been remediated. Photographs may be taken to record the precise condition of the affected areas. Samples also will be taken. Best practices suggest that the inspector collect at least two air samples from within the containment area and one sample from outdoors. The samples will be sent to a lab for testing.

Test results do not guarantee that there is no mold in the containment area. After all, it is natural for microscopic mold spores to be present at all times. Instead, samples from the affected area will pass as long as the mold spores present in the indoor samples are quantitatively equal to or less than the mold spores present in the sample that was collected outdoors.

Post Remediation Test Results

The report from the lab will identify the types of mold that are present in the samples as well as how much of that mold is present. If the samples taken indoors are about the same as those taken outdoors, then the remediation process likely is complete, and the technicians will remove the containment mechanisms.

If the samples that were taken indoors show elevated mold levels, then it may be that more remediation steps are required. It is possible that the technicians missed something during the initial remediation. It also is possible that the air scrubbers have not removed enough of the excess mold spores from the air.

Post remediation tests that do not provide the necessary “clearance” are rare. Nonetheless, it is valuable to be certain that the mold remediation process has been thorough and complete. If the job is not done correctly, then the homeowner will be right back where they started with a troubling mold problem.

Trust the Experts To Do Your Post Remediation Testing

Dri-Max Restoration has already helped hundreds of Miami residents ensure that their homes are safe, clean and free of mold problems. Their services include unbiased inspections, complete mold remediation and post remediation testing. With more than 6,000 mold remediation projects complete, Dri-Max has the experience that is necessary to get the job done right the first time.

Regardless of where you are in the process, contact Dri-Max Restoration for advice when you believe that you have mold issues in your home. They can help you figure out whether or not mold is causing health issues or structural damage in your household, and they can even handle the remediation for you.

As a full-service provider of mold remediation in Miami, Dri-Max Restoration also will conduct unbiased post remediation testing of your property whether they performed the remediation work or not. Dri-Max works with a licensed, independent lab to ensure accurate results that customers can trust when they need peace of mind the most.