Remediation: the steps in order

• Consult health professional as appropriate throughout process
• Select remediation manager
• Assess size of mold problem and note type of mold-damaged materials
• Communicate with building occupants throughout process as appropriate to situation
• Identify source or cause of water or moisture problem
• Plan remediation, adapt guidelines to fit situation, see Tables 1 & 2
• Select personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Select containment equipment
• Select remediation personnel or team
• In-house expertise
• Outside expertise
• Remediate
• Hidden mold discovered, reevaluate plan
• Clean and dry moldy materials See Table 2
• Discard moldy items that can’t be cleaned
• Dry non-moldy items within 48 hours See Table 1
• Fix water or moisture problem
• Check for return of moisture and mold problem

Citation: EPA 402-K-01-001, Mold Remediation – Key Steps, p. 5.

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1. Fix the water or humidity problem. Complete and carry out repair plan if appropriate. Revise and/or carry out maintenance plan if necessary. Revise remediation plan, as necessary, if more damage is discovered during remediation. See Mold Remediation – Key Steps (page 5) and Resources List (page 29) for additional information.
2. Continue to communicate with building occupants, as appropriate to the situation. Be sure to address all concerns.
3. Completely clean up mold and dry water-damaged areas. Select appropriate cleaning and drying methods for damaged/contaminated materials. Carefully contain and remove moldy building materials. Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Arrange for outside professional support if necessary.

Sidebar: The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control!

• When addressing mold problems, don’t forget to address the source of the moisture problem, or the mold problem may simply reappear!
• Remember to check for high humidity and condensation problems as well as actual water leaks, maintenance issues, and HVAC system problems.
• Protect the health and safety of the building occupants and remediators. Consult a health professional as needed. Use PPE and containment as appropriate when working with mold.

Citation: EPA 402-K-01-001, Remediation, p. 9.

Read on the official site ↗ See it in the full EPA 402-K-01-001

Investigate and evaluate moisture and mold problems

• Assess size of moldy area (square feet)
• Consider the possibility of hidden mold
• Clean up small mold problems and fix moisture problems before they become large problems
• Select remediation manager for medium or large size mold problem
• Investigate areas associated with occupant complaints
• Identify source(s) or cause of water or moisture problem(s)
• Note type of water-damaged materials (wallboard, carpet, etc.)
• Check inside air ducts and air handling unit
• Throughout process, consult qualified professional if necessary or desired

Communicate with building occupants at all stages of process, as appropriate

• Designate contact person for questions and comments about medium or large scale remediation as needed

Plan remediation

• Adapt or modify remediation guidelines to fit your situation; use professional judgment
• Plan to dry wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth (see Table 1 and text)
• Select cleanup methods for moldy items (see Table 2 and text)
• Select Personal Protection Equipment – protect remediators (see Table 2 and text)
• Select containment equipment – protect building occupants (see Table 2 and text)
• Select remediation personnel who have the experience and training needed to implement the remediation plan and use Personal Protection Equipment and containment as appropriate

Remediate moisture and mold problems

• Fix moisture problem, implement repair plan and/or maintenance plan
• Dry wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth
• Clean and dry moldy materials (see Table 2 and text)
• Discard moldy porous items that can’t be cleaned (see Table 2 and text)

*For details, see main text of this publication. Please note that this checklist was designed to highlight key parts of a school or commercial building remediation and does not list all potential steps or problems.

Citation: EPA 402-K-01-001, Checklist for Mold Remediation, p. 27.

Read on the official site ↗ See it in the full EPA 402-K-01-001