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2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 526

[ ] Licensing. If you don't have a license that's required for mold
removal, make that point clear.

Mold Remediation by Job Size
The Environmental Protection Agency hasn't set standards for mold contamination. But the EPA does
suggest a classification system for mold remediation work based on the square feet affected.

[ ] Small - less than 10 square feet.

[ ] Medium - More than 10 square feet but less than 100 square
feet.

[ ] Large - More than 100 square feet or where there is greater risk
of spreading mold during remediation.

The cleaning method recommended by the EPA is essentially the same for all
three classes:
[ ] Wet vacuum to remove excess moisture.

[ ] Hand wash.

[ ] HEPA vacuum when the surface is dry.

The chief difference among the three job sizes is in the containment structure and the personal
protective equipment (PPE) required. Larger jobs need more containment and more PPE.

The EPA classification system makes sense. Larger jobs usually have a greater mold density and take
longer to remediate. But the EPA also recommends using professional judgment when deciding how to
handle a remediation job. For example:

[ ] Access to the mold may be easy or difficult. A 20-foot-long wall
finished in vinyl and concealing concentrations of mold would
qualify as a "large" job by EPA standards. But the vinyl can be
stripped a little at a time and cleaned immediately. Access is
easy. The job shouldn't take more than a few hours for a crew of
two. Building a full containment structure would be overkill.

[ ] The job described above might warrant full containment if mold
also contaminates the framing, especially if an occupant in the
home is elderly or has respiratory problems.

Obviously, your good judgment is required. If in doubt, get the advice of an industrial hygienist, as
described later in this chapter.

Here's what the EPA recommends for each of the three job classifications:

[ ] Small jobs don't require containment. The only PPE needed will
be an N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles.

[ ] Medium jobs require polyethylene sheeting from ceiling to floor
around the affected area. Provide a slit entry and a covering
flap. Use double-sided tape to secure poly sheeting to the
floors, walls and ceiling. Seal off cracks and openings, HVAC
vents and registers. Maintain negative air pressure with a HEPA