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What Homeowners Should Know About Mold Inspections

What Homeowners Should Know About Mold Inspections

May 7, 2023 | mold remediation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Topics of this Article Include

  • Mold Inspection Standards

  • Purpose of a Mold Inspection

  • Types of Mold Inspections

  • Mold Testing

  • Cost of Mold Inspections

Current Mold Inspection Standards

Mold Inspection Standards are based on industry standards defined by The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Additionally, there are at least 5 additional standards used in co-relation to the IICRC standard:

Mold Inspection Restrictions

The results of mold inspections are representative of conditions existing at the exact time and location of where samples were taken only. Therefore, inspectors can not rely on mold inspection reports to represent conditions at any other location or date.

Testing may be required for asbestos, lead paint, and other environmental hazards prior to remediation. The presence of such materials take precedence over mold remediation. Removing regulated materials must be conducted in accordance with federal, state, provincial, local laws, regulations and specific remediation protocols.

The Goal of a Mold Inspection

Unlike a free mold estimate, a mold inspection cannot be conducted virtually and must be conducted onsite. Mold inspections include testing with analysis and a complete report. Reports include, but are not limited to mold damage documentation and remediation cost projections. Service fees include inspection and per sample charges. 

Invasive inspections are more expensive than non-invasive inspections, while fees vary and start at $250. The average mold inspection requires 2-5 samples priced at $50 each. Invasive mold inspections include spaces such as attics and crawlspaces, opening walls, removing baseboards, inspecting HVAC Systems and other hard to reach areas. 

 

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Best Mold Removal Company

Mold Inspections Are Not Free

Video conferencing allows us to provide immediate insight to our customers about their mold removal projects. Subsequently, customers should expect to receive an initial mold estimate via video chat. As a result, contractors and customers save both time and money by connecting first via video chat. This helps businesses keep costs low, allowing customers to save more money.

Mold Inspections and Testing Disclaimer

1. Do not depend on your mold inspector for any medical advice.

Providing medical advise with regards to personal health concerns about mold contamination is the job of a medical specialist, not the mold inspector.

2. If symptoms such as allergy or asthma are experienced, mold inspection is often the most logical starting point.

However, airborne particles originating from biological sources can result in symptoms or illness as well. 

3. Mold inspection is not intended to report on what the inspector considers to be typical levels of mold.

A mold test is not an environmental investigation for any other condition. Further testing is required for dust mite, roach, pet allergens, virus, bacteria, lead-based paint, asbestos, radon, or any other environmental conditions.

4. Mold Metrix does not offer an opinion as to the advisability of the purchase or sale of property.

Furthermore, Mold Metrix is not responsible for the non-discovery of any water damage or mold contamination for which Metrix has not been contracted to inspect. Likewise, this is also true for any other problems undetected because sampling was not requested and paid for.

INTERIOR MOLD INSPECTION

No destructive or disruptive testing will be performed unless contracted by a client. An inspector will not check any area that poses a safety threat to the inspector such as walking on roofs. Likewise, attics and crawl spaces with low clearance may not be entered.

Correspondingly, customers should understand that inspections can only report on problems present at the time of testing. Inspectors cannot report on areas or locations in the building that have not been specifically inspected and tested.

AIR QUALITY MOLD INSPECTION

Samples of non-active spores only allow for spore identification to the genus and not the species level. Therefore, comparison of levels to similar types of indoor and outdoor spore types is not exact. This is especially true for some small, round spores, such as aspergillus and penicillium spores.

Active spore sampling only allows for identification and categorization of molds that germinated from live spores. Consequently, many dead yet still allergenic spores may be missed in the lab results when using this methodology, resulting in low estimations of the number of actual spores present.

INVASIVE MOLD INSPECTION

Inspectors cannot guarantee mold growing within a wall cavity can be found. Hidden mold may not be producing large numbers of spores during sampling. Also, mold may not have access to the spore trap due to insulation or other blockades.

mold testing

What is Mold Contamination?

how much does water damage restoration cost

How Much Does Water Damage Cost?

What Does Mold Remediation Include?

Can Water Damaged Drywall Be Repaired

Can Water Damaged Drywall Be Repaired

May 4, 2023 | water damage restoration

Can Water Damage Drywall be Repaired?

Can you repair water damage drywall, the answer really depends on the amount of water damage to the drywall. If the drywall is wet, but maintains its integrity, it is very possible to salvage the drywall by drying it in place. However, if the drywall has started to lose its integrity sagging from the ceiling, has been broken or busted at the seams, then it’s likely that the drywall will need to be replaced.  Despite this majority there are many Cat 2 water damages where the drywall can be repaired and dried in place.

Drywall Repair Considerations

It’s a case-by-case determination, depending on the category of the water and the overall damage to the drywall, whether or not it can be safely repaired.  We also must take precautions to prevent any future damages such as mold growth when repairing water damaged drywall. Wet baseboards and crown molding are usually removed, and if they are salvageable, they will be put back into place after the drywall has been repaired. It is only in a best-case scenario project where you’re able to salvage the baseboards and salvage the drywall. The overwhelming majority of projects involving residential water damage will need to have the wet drywall removed and have new drywall installed.

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4 Inch Drywall Repair

There are only 3 standard cuts in the water damage restoration industry, the first of which is the four-inch drywall dry. This cut is interpreted as the removal of drywall located directly behind the baseboard. When water mitigation calls for the only the removal of drywall holding baseboard in place, it is known as a four-inch cut. Sometimes the baseboard may only be 2 1/2 inches and sometimes they may rise 6 inches high, but a four-inch cut in the water damage industry it connotates the removal of the drywall located directly behind the baseboard, no matter the size of the baseboard. Making these drywall repairs is relatively easy, because of the low cut. Additionally, any imperfections will be covered by the baseboard.

2-Foot Drywall Repair

The second drywall cut is a 2-foot cut and is the most common cut in the water damage mitigation industry. Making a 2-foot cut for drywall repairs includes removing all drywall touching the floor of an effected room 2ft high above the floor.  When making a 2-foot cut we don’t cut up exactly 24 inches, because that would mean that when we went back to repair/install the drywall it would not sit separately from the floor. Drywall should be installed 1/2 of an inch high off the floor.  This way if there is any flooding or any water damage the drywall would be protected from damage, including mold.  Surface temperature differences between the concrete and the drywall is enough to create an area with relative humidity good for supporting mold growth.

Insurance Accepted, financing Available

4-Foot Drywall Repair

The final water mitigation drywall cut is known as a 4-foot cut. The four-foot cut includes removing entire bottom half of the drywall, 4-feet high.  In terms of water mitigation drywall repair, this translates into the need for a 4-feet drywall installation and repair.  2-ft and 4-inch drywall installation standards apply when making a 4-foot drywall repair.  Installing drywall 1/2 inch above the surface floor help to protect it from future water damage and mold growth.

Drywall Repair Finishes

Sometime the drywall is effected above 4-foot.  In these situation it is standard to remove the entire effected wall. There is no standard 6-foot cut, there is only an 4-inch 2-foot 4-foot or removal of the entire 8 foot wall. This amount of water damage requires all new drywall to be installed/repaired. The drywall installation process is invoiced to include reinstalling any wet installation that had to be removed before repairing the wall. Drywall repair is a line item including labor and materials for installation only, taping and mudding is an additional line item. Drywall tape and drywall mud are used to seal drywall repairs, which make a wall appear as one smooth piece of drywall. There are several drywall repair finishes, you can elect to have the drywall hung, or hung and prepared for paint with a smooth finish. The most common selection for businesses and homeowners is to install the drywall and prepare for paint with a nice smooth finish, but this is not always the case. Garage drywall repairs are an example of the exception.

Drywall Repair Dry Time

Once the drywall is installed and the mud has been applied to the drywall, it must be allowed to dry undisturbed. This resting or drying period can require 8 hours or longer depending on the humidity and drying time of the material. Dry time may also be accomplished within an hour. Dry time for each coat of mud must be completed before proceeding with any painting. Dry time is built into drywall repair pricing and is also reduced with the use of drying equipment such as air movers, dehumidifiers, and heaters. Most insurance companies recognize the use of drying equipment as standard practice for water damage mitigation drywall repair claims. The insurance coverage helps us do a great job and stay on schedule for our customers.

Drywall Repair Preparation

The final step of drywall water mitigation drywall repair is to paint and or install baseboards, crown mold, and any other finishing materials that’s needed to be removed. Finish materials are painted to remove any damage or to minimize the appearance of any damage or replaced if they have been too heavily damaged. Once the water mitigation drywall repairs are completed, the effected room will look brand new. Remember, drywall can suffer minor damage over time in the form of cracks and dents. These small damages need to be addressed to have the entire room match. It’s standard for homeowners’ insurance to pay for these repairs and often this means you’re getting all new drywall.

Drywall Repairs and Painting

Once the walls and finishing material are prepared, we can then paint the walls. The most common drywall paint job includes 3 coats of paint. The first coat is a primer designed to ready the walls for paint. The second and third coats are used to “color paint the walls”. Some paint jobs require more than 3 coats.

Best Water Mitigation Drywall Repair Service

Metrix Restoration is looking to gain your business and your trust as a water damage mitigation drywall repair contractor. If you or somebody you know is in need of drywall repair or reinstallation due to water damage, choose Metrix over the Matter because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Water Damage Repairs and Plumbing 2023

Water Damage Repairs and Plumbing 2023

May 2, 2023 | water damage restoration

Metrix Provides Water Damage Repairs

The best water damage restoration companies provide complete water mitigation services including repairs and plumbing.  Metrix Restoration is always working to develop our organization to better serve our customers.  The quality of our organization has evolved as water mitigation contractors.  Flood Metrix now provides not only water removal and mold remediation services, but we also provide water damage repairs and plumbing.

Most customers prefer the convenience of hiring a water mitigation contractor who can also complete repairs.  The simplicity of making only one phone call for water removal and repairs reduces the need to involve multiple contractors, which can lengthy water mitigation repair delays.  Water mitigation often involves the removal of drywall and flooring; most customers can bear finding a flooring contractor, but many homeowners are annoyed by the idea of waiting to repair the holes in their walls.

Water Damage Drywall Repairs

Drywall installation is one of the first water damage repair services we started to offer.  This includes replacing and repairing wet or damaged baseboards, doors, and door trim, but not to exclude other finished materials such as crown molding.  Finish materials are easily affected by water damage and are often unsalvable and need to be replaced. Of course, completing a drywall repairs project includes removing and reinstalling any wet insulation and painting the walls.

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Water Mitigation Floor Repairs

Homeowners who have water damage and need repairs often can “look on the Brightside of their situation” and turn the misfortune of water damage into a positive by getting around to some repairs they had been putting off.  Water damage will inspire a homeowner to make improvements that they’ve been putting off such as flooring upgrades.  Homeowners will proceed with plans to remodel kitchen and bathrooms, living rooms and family rooms alike, because the timing is now perfect. A major part of the water mitigation repair process is new floor installation. This is why Metrix Restoration provides floor installation for water damage projects.  By adding floor installation, we can provide more of our customers’ needs and to get them back to whole after the experience of a water damage.

Water Damage Repairs and Plumbing

Our mission is to move a customer from stress to satisfaction and we want to add value in as many ways as possible.  Water damage and Plumbing go hand in hand, which is why we have teamed up with Perfected HVAC and Plumbing to add plumbing services to our catalog.  We can now work to prevent water damage by catching the leak early and prevent leaks with proper plumbing.  Sometimes it’s too late and the damage is done, and in those situations, Metrix has you covered.  There’s often no sign to indicate when a pipe is going to bust or when an appliance will fail, but when it happens Metrix is your number 1 choice to get you up and back to normal again.

Insurance Accepted, financing Available

Water Damage Repairs Project Co-Ordination

Providing more water damage restoration services under one company allows us to better coordinate mitigation repair projects and reduces time wasted.  The added convenience of mitigation, plumbing and repairs from the same company also reduces the inconvenience experienced by a customer after water mitigation.  Metrix Restoration didn’t always provide water mitigation repair services, we started by simply focusing on water mitigation.  Being able to demo, decontaminate, and dry out is still our bread-and-butter business.  

It was out of the need and desire to serve our customers more completely that we expanded into mitigation repairs.  So many customers wanted us to at least put the drywall back in place once the home was dry.  However, we didn’t want to begin offering services without being able to ensure a masterful level of service to minimize the risk to our reputation as water damage mitigation and plumbing professionals.  Doing a great job on the water mitigation repairs is equally important to the water damage restoration project.

Water Damage Repairs Quality Assurance

We had to take our time to develop and get our standard operating procedures established so that we could do just as good a job in installing the drywall as we do the water removal services.  This also applies to putting down flooring, installing a bathroom vanity or installing a new sump pump or water heater.  We need to be able to provide these services to our customers without error. Metrix is now in position to bring that high level of quality service and masterful execution to our customers in need of water mitigation repairs.

Metrix Offers Water Damage, Plumbing and Mold Remediation

Regardless of the previous water damage, the fact that there is a new leak with a new plumbing issue means that this homeowner is entitled to coverage with their homeowners’ policy. The homeowner’s insurance would be responsible for covering the water damage and mold remediation repairs but would not cover the mold remediation line items associated with the project. The reason being is that obviously there was pre-existing water damage which were never addressed; therefore, homeowners’ insurance is not responsible. However, homeowners’ insurance would be responsible for all damages associated with the new water damage including structural drying, retiling the bathroom tub and drywall repairs associated with the water damage. No portion of the plumbing would be able to be billed back to water damage claim.

Water Damage Repairs and Customer Satisfaction

The advantage of offering water damage mitigation repairs is that most water damage restoration companies don’t provide repairs.  Less than 60% of water damage contractors in Northern Virginia provide repairs, leaving 60% or more water mitigation customers left to find another contractor for water damage repairs.  The Metrix customer experience is superior to others with the added benefit of being able to take care of the mitigation repairs with one contractor.   Our unique ability also allows us to establish better customer relations.  This is important because at Metrix, residential water damage is 60% personal and 40% business.

The relationships we develop by offering water mitigation repairs allows us to optimize our reputation in the community.  Offering repairs allows us to market services people need more commonly. By offering plumbing services we are able to fulfill our customers’ needs from the time that the first water loss occurs, to stopping the leak, water removal, and water damage repairs. If you or somebody you know needs water damage repairs choose Metrix over the Matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Mold Remediation: Why is mold growing on my Kitchen Cabinets?

Mold Remediation: Why is mold growing on my Kitchen Cabinets?

Apr 9, 2023 | mold remediation

“I think we need Mold Remediation for our Kitchen Cabinets”

If you or someone you know is in need of mold remediation or has water damage, do not hesitate to choose Metrix Over The Matter Because The Power To Change The Matter Is In The Metrix.  Always feel free to call 833-200-9444 or visit us online at www.floodmetrix.com/mold-removal

This is the story of a homeowner who just wanted to get some new cabinets for his wife.  One day I received a call from a homeowner requesting an estimate for mold remediation. We scheduled service for an on-site mold remediation estimate for the customer.  The mold inspection fee would later be credited towards any mold remediation the homeowner chose to contract Mold Metrix to provide.

Arriving to inspect the damage, I was able to get familiar with how to best cater to these homeowners. He and wife explained that the “cabinet company” from whom they’re buying their new cabinets, was prepared to tear out the moldy cabinets and install the new purchase.  However, the husband was wise and decided to get a professional opinion about the mold.  I would have opted for a second opinion as well if the “cabinet company” told me that “if there was some mold they would be able to take care of it” and that I as the homeowner “wouldn’t have to worry about it”.  This from any person speaking outside of their accredited expertise is a red flag.

If you need Mold Remediation choose Metrix over the Matter

mold growth on kitchen cabinets and drawers

“There was visible mold growing on the cabinets attached to the corner of the kitchen”

I asked the customer if there had been any type of water damage or leak they were aware of?  To the homeowners’ recollection, there had only been some leaks under the sink.  However, this would not explain the mold remediation needed for the corner kitchen cabinets.

Based on customer’s account, I continued to investigate until I discovered that there was a water heater located directly behind the moldy kitchen cabinet.  In the water heater room, I could see many visible signs of water damage.  The vinyl directly under the water heater was damaged.  There was visible mold on the drywall behind the water heater and so based on my initial inspection, I knew there must have been a water damage that was not properly handled at some time in the past. In addition to the sink having a leak, that was apparently causing mold growth in the kitchen and the need for mold remediation.

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“I explained to the homeowners that it would be ideal to schedule the mold remediation in conjunction with a plumber to minimize the time spent without water in the home.” 

The customer agrees and I write up an estimate after consulting with a plumber in our network for approximately $4100 which included mold remediation, repairs and plumbing necessary for the project.  Here is where it started to get complicated.  On day one of the project the customer mentions seeing a leak in the corner.  I took note of this and proceed to set up containment for mold remediation in the kitchen.  The plumbers are on-site, and they are detaching the leaky water heater in preparation for mold removal.  As we begin to dismantle the granite countertops, we remove the backsplash and behind the backsplash there’s mold.  This is mold approximately 4 feet up the wall and my initial estimate was two feet, tops.

I called the customer, and I informed the customer and inform him that mold growing halfway up the wall, and this need to increase the amount of mold removal necessary to properly remediate per IICRC S520 will increase your bill from $4000 to more like $6000, and this is out of pocket discount.  The customer agrees and gives the go ahead to continue with the work.  The plumber takes apart all the plumbing in the kitchen, so the sink is no longer capable of leaking, they cap off the plumbing and we remove the granite countertops.  The further we get into this mold remediation, the worst it got.  When we removed those countertops, it became so evident why they had made the right decision by choosing a certified professional mold remediation contractor to take care of this problem in the kitchen.

Mold was growing all the way up the wall in the corner and the cabinets were completely affected. They came off the wall like wet cardboard.  If the cabinet company had just come in as a routine installation, they would have run into such a problem that they were not prepared to deal with. It would have been a disaster for the homeowners if they had not chosen Metrix Over The Matter.

We continue with the mold remediation, but we only go up halfway up the wall. I told the plumber that even though the initial plan was to remove and reinstall the water heater in the same day, we couldn’t do it, because the subfloor underneath the water heater so severely damaged.  It was my call to pause the project until the homeowner had a chance to make a decision.  I just didn’t want to chance installing the water heater back on that water rotted subfloor and the customer ultimately agreed with me.

Insurance Accepted, financing Available

They saw water leaking from the cabinets in the corner?

We had to remove the water damaged subfloor and that area is where we discovered the key to our water damage claim.  So let me back up, initially the customer reported seeing water coming up from the corner cabinets.  Taking note of this, I assumed the water appearing was the result of “pooled” water trapped under the floating floor was occasionally escaping.  The floor was damaged, so it made sense that water would sometimes came up to the top.  After having removed the wet damaged floor, the cabinets and the drywall, there was still no leak apparent.  This meant there was no way for the customer to get this mold remediation covered by his insurance.  Until we cut out the subfloor and we were able to discover that there was a pipe actively leaking.

Its only cost $72 to fix the pipe, but this $72 pipe caused over $9000 worth of mold and water damage.  Now that we discovered the pipe, I was very excited because now the customer no longer had to pay out of pocket.  He could report this active water damage to his insurance which was the Hartford.

mold damaged kitchen cabinets

leaky water heater

Mold is Water Damage and Water Damage is Covered by Homeowners’ Insurance

On the very same day that the customer reached out to the Hartford Insurance, they got in contact with me.  I had a conversation with a well-educated adjuster, and they approved to cover the water damage mitigation, with the understanding that the mold damage cleanup would not be able to be included.  Such mold removal line items as, sanding studs and applying anti-microbial are examples of what could not be included.  However, by having the homeowner’s insurance step in, all of the plumbing was able to be covered for this water damage which, ordinarily, insurance does not cover.  Therefore, the plumbing invoice is generally billed separately.

Also, the adjuster agreed to pay for the removal of the wet moldy cabinets, the removal of wet effected drywall up to four feet high, along with the affected kitchen floor, along with the structural drying.  Removal of the subfloor and replacement of the subfloor; detaching and reattaching the water heater, the new water heater pan, reinstalling all the plumbing in the kitchen such as the dishwasher, sink and the garbage disposal.  Insurance played a tremendous role in helping this customer save on his out-of-pocket expenses.  Not to mention that he gets a new floor included in the claim; also, insurance is now responsible for replacing the lower kitchen cabinets and the countertops.

drying kitchen after mold remediation

water discovered in crawlspace

water discovered in crawlspace

In closing, sometimes you have the need for mold remediation, and you have to pay out of pocket, but sometimes, like in this case, you’re able to get it covered by insurance.  It is always best to have mold inspected by a certified industry professional.  Mold contamination is not always what it seems. Sometimes it seems like it’s not very bad, but it turns out that the entire wall is in fact affected, but from the looks of things everything seems to be in order.  In any case Mold Metrix is here to help you and those you care about.

Water Damage Restoration Common Hazards 2023

Water Damage Restoration Common Hazards 2023

Dec 22, 2022 | water damage restoration

Water Damage Restoration Hazard And Risk Assessments

The first line of defense in helping to prevent injury, unnecessary damage, and health risks inherent to a water damage mitigation project is safety/hazards awareness.  A hazardous inspection checks for any work site situation that potentially poses danger to life or property. Water damage restoration professionals must then perform a risk assessment on all potential hazards found on the mitigation work site.  The assessment evaluates the risk or likelihood a particular hazard will cause harm.  Due to the unsafe nature of most water damaged dwellings, hazard inspections and risk assessments are essential for protecting workers.

The initial hazard inspection of a water damage restoration project involves three important aspects.  The first step is to identify hazards that could give reason not to enter the building, such as wet electrical panels and collapsing ceilings.  The second step is to identify the presence of regulated building materials such as asbestos, lead, or PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls).  Government-regulated substances required testing or inspection services from specialized third-party experts to assess health and safety issues. Finally, competent water damage mitigation contractor conducts a risk assessment and implements the necessary hazard controls for any identified hazards.

Water Removal Mitigation Hazard Controls

Hazard controls are implemented to protect against injury or other safety incidents.  Within the water damage mitigation industry, controls are organized into a hierarchy.  Those controls considered to be more effective at protecting workers and occupants are categorized higher on the list.  For example, the most effective control measures either eliminate the hazard or substitute a safer situation for mitigation to proceed.  Where water damage restoration hazards cannot be eliminated or replaced, industry mitigation safety plans implement controls lower in the hierarchy:

  • Engineering Controls- These are water damage restoration safety controls which are designed to deal with hazards before mitigation professionals encounter the hazard. These controls isolate workers from an identified danger.

  • Administrative Controls- These water damage mitigation controls are lower in the hierarchy and occur between the source of the hazard and mitigation professional. They include “safer work practices”.

  • Personal Protective Equipment- Water damage restoration Personal protective equipment (PPE) consists of controls placed on the mitigation professional. PPE is the lowest form of hazard control because protective equipment devices do nothing to eliminate the hazard directly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Damage Restoration PPE

Water damage restoration professionals cannot always eliminate every health and safety concern on a water damage project, so PPE is a necessary part of the safety program. Selecting a proper level of protection is important when considering PPE for a water damage mitigation project.  One step of the initial risk assessment is to closely evaluate the potential risks and determine which type of PPE is most appropriate. To help protect water damage mitigation technicians from the many hazards associated with contaminated water losses, restorers need to have ready access to several safety items.  These items protect from all potential exposures to the body and include:

  • Chemical-Resistant Gloves

  • Goggles

  • Respirator

  • Hard Hat

  • Rubber Boots

  • Protective Suit

Masters Of Mitigation

Water Damage Restoration Safety “Immunizations”

The great majority of water damage restoration projects involve direct contact with a range of infectious organisms.  As a minimum medical requirement, mitigation professionals performing water damage restoration services need medical consultation with a Primary Health Care Physician for appropriate immunizations.  Immunizations required may vary depending on the scope of work, previous immunization history, previous exposure and current availability of treatments.

mold remediation

Water Removal Safety Standards And Organizations

Water damage restoration professionals must be familiar with all applicable safety standards and laws which affect their business.  This list below includes some of relevant organizations and standards water damage mitigation professionals need to be familiar with.

1 OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration

a. 29 CFR 1910

b. 29 CFR 1926

2 ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

a. ANSI Z117.1-1989

3 EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

a. FIFRA- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

4 IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification

a. S500- Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration

b. S520- Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation

This list should be evaluated for its application through varying state, provincial and other government laws and regulations.  It is also necessary to check with each of these sources frequently in order to stay current with changes to standards, codes and regulations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Damage Restoration Federal Regulations

Two codes are particularly relative to the work done by water damage restoration contractors. These documents can be assessed online. In order to ensure compliance water damage mitigation contractors must thoroughly read and understand these two CFR’s:

29 CFR 1910- General Industry Standards

29 CFR 1926- Construction Industry Standards

  • Increasing air flow across wet surfaces.

  • Controlling temperature of air and surfaces.

  • Using outside air when possible.

  • Creating a drying chamber.

  • Decreasing humidity in the affected area.

Items covered significant to water damage mitigation include:

  • OSHA General Duty Clause

  • Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plans

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Respiratory Protection Plans

  • Asbestos and Lead

  • Heat Conditions

  • Confined Spaces

  • Hazard Plans

  • Fall Protection

  • Noise Exposure Limits

Water Damage Cleanup

Insurance Accepted, financing Available

Water Damage Restoration And Documentation

Several areas of health and safety require documentation during a water mitigation project.  For example, employers who assign mitigation technicians to use respiratory protection are required to have a written respiratory protection plan.  Likewise, whenever hazardous chemicals are present on a water mitigation work site, employers must document their company’s HAZCOM program.

Water Removal And Bloodborne Pathogens

Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, water damage restoration contractors and nurses are examples of workers who are at risk of exposure.  In 1991, OSHA issued the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to protect workers from this risk.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in the blood which can cause disease in humans.  Water damage mitigation contractors could possibly come into contact with bloodborne pathogens during day-to-day mitigation activities, primarily through the remediation of sewer backups.

Water damage restoration professionals need to understand the seriousness of these pathogens, know what PPE to dawn, and what procedures and standards must be followed.  When documented, this information becomes the employer’s bloodborne pathogens plan for their business.  Just as important as developing the plan is implementing the plan, which includes training for workers on the protocols and procedures to be used.

 If you or anybody you know needs water damage restoration, Choose Metrix over the matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

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