Florida Law - Separate Companies for Mold Testing and Remediation

Mold is a destructive aspect of the Florida ecosystem. Florida state mold laws prohibit the same company from performing mold remediation for the same business or residence the company provided mold assessment for within the last year. Due to the process of locating and removing mold, every job must be performed by a qualified company.

Importance of Environmental Air Quality Testing Before Remediation

Mold testing requires indoor surfaces and air to be thoroughly tested and sampled to determine if remediation is necessary. Even if mold is visible, an environmental consultant can determine the extent of the remediation required through inspection and testing samples. The process of remediation includes containing, removing, cleaning mold and any materials contaminated by mold.

The remediation team is specially trained to handle the process required. Despite all of the processes involving mold, if the same company performs more than one service it is considered a conflict of interest. Reputable companies will require post-remediation clearance. The basis is having a third-party mold assessor inspect and test the structure for mold.

Mold growth is often visible to the human eye and located on building materials exposed to high humidity or wet conditions for a long period of time. A mold assessment is necessary for the identification of moisture and water damage and locating the source supporting the growth of mold. Once mold spores are released into the air, they can grow and spread given favorable conditions.

This result is cross-contamination or the contamination of new areas. Mold particles are microscopic and unable to be seen with the human eye. An air quality test for mold is critical to determine the areas where mold is present, the extent of the spreading and protecting the health of everyone entering the building. During a mold inspection, the structure is investigated, samples are collected, and lab analysis are performed.

All of this is necessary to determine the work required for mold remediation. The only way to determine the correct cleaning, containment and restoration processes is with a mold inspection. If this information is unknown, the best any contractor can do is perform according to assumptions. According to experts in the field, separate contractors should be used for mold testing and remediation.

Available Services

Services for environmental air quality testing are available in South, Central and North Florida. This means you can stop mold from spreading and have the old mold removed from your business or home to stop or prevent more damage. All mold removal is different, but there are some commonalities. The process should be completed on time with as little disruption to your home or business as possible.

Once the safety of you and your family is established, the source of the mold must be located. Mold is always the result of water or high levels of humidity. The source can be a leaky roof, construction issues, cracked pipes or a water leak. If the humidity level in your business or home is correct, mold is unable to grow. Once the process is complete, you can safely occupy the building. The process consists of:

• Repairing your plumbing to help stop new mold spores

• Isolating mold contaminant areas by closing all doors and windows. Polyethylene is often used for sealing other openings.

• Airborne spores are controlled by misting contaminated areas.

• Moldy surfaces are vacuumed with the a HEPA vac.

• All moldy materials are cleaned, removed and placed in plastic bags to reduce the risk of mold spores dispersal in the air.

• All structural elements unable to be removed are sprayed and scrubbed by professionals. A damp cloth with a detergent solution is then used to scrub all areas containing mold.

• Once cleaned, deodorizing agents and products are commonly used as a final clean up.

• All materials cleaned are given time to dry to prevent any remaining moisture.

• The damaged materials removed are replaced or repaired.

Aeris Indoor Environmental Services offers environmental assessments and testing performed by seasoned pros through South, Central and North Florida.

For information about Aeris and their indoor air quality services, reach out by email at [email protected] or call 844-692-3747.