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Introduction

Respond and Rebuild is a collective of seasoned disaster responders formed in thewake of Superstorm Sandy. We work next to Sandy-affected residents in Rockaway,Queens as they begin the rebuilding process.This guide on mold remediation is a compilation of information from public healthprofessors, mold remediation specialists, and experienced disaster responders. We areconfident in our method and believe that it strikes a balance between cost and efficacy.Widespread mold remediation is the first crucial step in post-flood home recovery.Mold requires water and food (any organic material, such as wood, mud, paper, or fabric) to grow.

You can’t fully remove the food source

from your home, but you

can control your home’s moisture level

. Mold surrounds us at all times,

and it’s

impossible to completely eradicate it. Through proper mold remediation, you can reducemold to safe levels and prevent it from growing. Anyone engaging in mold remediation

should have the proper equipment and followa safety protocol

to mitigate potential health risks (see, “Safety Guide on MoldRemediation”)

.

Wear the proper PPE

(Personal Protective Equipment) at all timesduring mold remediation. A respirator rated at N95 or better (e.g. P100) is essential.There are five steps to effective mold remediation: Gutting & Debris Removal; Drying;Mold Removal; Vacuuming; Washing & Disinfecting

Quick Definitions

Mold:

an interconnected fungal network occurring typically in moist conditions,especially on food or other organic matter.

Spore

: a tiny reproductive unit capable of giving rise to a new individual without sexualfusion.

1. HOUSE GUTTING & DEBRIS REMOVAL

Completely remove anything that is moist, moldy, and non-

essential to your home’s

structural integrity: drywall; personal belongings; screws and nails; trim; interior doors;and any other

non-load bearing material

. Expose the frame of the structure.

If you areunsure whether or not something is structurally essential or load-bearing, consulta professional builder.

A Guide to

Community-based

, low cost

Mold Remediation

2 Respond & Rebuild http://RespondandRebuild.org

Measure the moisture level of the walls and ceilings. A moisture meter is an essentialtool to accurately determine what likely has fungi growth. For example, an acceptablemoisture level in softwood framing studs is 12%. Like any tool, moisture meters vary inprice and quality.

Consult your moisture meter’s user manual in order to determine

acceptable moisture levels, which vary depending on the material.

Cheap moisturemeters are often unreliable. One with a depth sensor is generally more valuable indetermining dryness than one that takes only a surface reading - although the surfacemay be dry, the interior could retain moisture and mold growth. A quality moisture meter can cost $350.

2. DRYING

Dry the remaining building materials. Even if wood may appear to be dry on the surface,it may still hold some internal moisture. Any building material with a high moisture levelcan still grow mold.

DO NOT plug equipment into a damaged electrical system.

You can dry a building in several ways, varying in price and efficacy

:

•

Cross Ventilation:

Open a window on each side of the affected space andplace an outward-blowing fan in one of these windows. This method takes alot of time but is inexpensive and easy.

•

Dehumidifier:

Using a dehumidifier greatly decreases drying time. It isimportant that the area stays enclosed. Residential-grade dehumidifiers($100 - $300) have a limited water capacity, requiring the reservoir to beemptied frequently (depending on the size of the reservoir and temperatureof the space). Commercial dehumidifiers

are

far more effective andenergy-efficient

. The drawback is their high cost ($1500-3000). The

temperature of a space greatly affects a dehumidifier’s efficiency:

coldspaces take longer to dry than warm spaces.

Check the manual to findthe minimum operating temperature.

•

Heating Source:

This is an efficient drying method, though there are severalfactors to consider. Moisture needs to escape. If the structure remainsclosed, moisture will condense on windows and any other cold surfaces.

Ifyou heat an enclosed area without ventilation, mold will thrive.

Openinga window - ideally one close to the ceiling - allows moisture to escape easily.Open a lower window opposite the first for increased ventilation.

Vent gasheaters according to user manual to prevent carbon monoxidepoisoning.

Combining a heat source with a dehumidifier or fan is the fastestway to dry a structure.To determine if the remaining building materials are dry, consult your moisture meter

’s

user manual and

take a variety of readings

from the affected areas, especiallystructural components. Be

thorough. You can’t take too many readings.