Page 653 - 2018 National Home Improvement

2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 525

If a computer hard drive, cellphone, hand-held computer or memory card has been flooded, rinse in clear
water and put it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Most information can be salvaged by a data recovery
specialist. Search on the Web for a computer data recovery service. Consider using a countertop
ultrasonic cleaning unit to remove contaminants from dishes, jewelry and art objects.

Mold Remediation
Mold thrives everywhere there is air, moisture and something organic to feed on. Mold spreads from
microscopic spores. What's obvious to the eye will be discoloration on framing, sheathing, flooring,
drywall, carpet, insulation or in HVAC duct. It's impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores from a
building. The goal is to reduce mold levels to about what exists outside the building. Once high
concentrations of mold are gone, eliminating excess moisture will prevent regrowth.

Cleaning away mold is easy. The hard part is doing that cleanup without spreading mold spores
throughout the building. Spores float anywhere air can penetrate, including into unprotected lungs and
eyes. There are thousands of types of mold. Only a few are known to create toxins. But some people
are more sensitive to mold spores than others. High concentrations of mold spores can make anyone
sick.

Any home improvement project can turn into a mold remediation job. Mold may not be obvious until you
start removing drywall, wallpaper, paneling, ceiling tile, sheathing or carpet. Pipe chases, walls behind
cabinets and plumbing fixtures, condensate drain pans, porous duct liners and roof sheathing are
favorite habitats for mold. Vinyl wall cover creates a vapor barrier, trapping moisture that supports growth
of mold in the wall. Stripping vinyl cover from a wall can release a cloud of spores into the building.

If you discover a mold problem, you have an obligation to inform the owner. After that, you have several
choices:

[ ] Pack up your tools and walk off the job, advising the owner to
call when the mold problem is solved.
[ ] Develop a plan for dealing with the mold and getting on with the
job.

[ ] Offer to get quotes from remediation subcontractors.

The owner, of course, has to make the decision. But most owners will be eager to get your advice on:

[ ] The extent of the problem, including a rough estimate of what's
required and the cost.

[ ] Insurance coverage. Generally, mold remediation isn't an insured
loss. Still, the owner should check for coverage.