New York Mold Removal Company | Mold Remediation Service in NY, Suffolk and Nassau County Long Island, New York.

National Waterproofing Systems New York Mold Remediation Company & Mold Removal Service uses EPA registered, highly developed mold removal and mold remediation products designed especially to kill all molds and their reproductive spores, to encapsulate and seal any dead mold spores, and to prevent mold from growing on treated surfaces ever again.

Four words summarize what is done in effective and safe mold removal, mold remediation, mold mitigation, and mold abatement: CONTAIN, KILL, REMOVE, and PROTECT.

CONTAIN the mold from spreading into uncontaminated areas; then KILL the mold. REMOVE the dead mold; and PROTECT the cleaned out area against future mold infestations. Each mold treatment job is unique and may require deviations or additional measures to official remediation guidelines or protocols as outlined in regulatory documents in moisture-damaged buildings, the extent of hidden colonization is almost always greater than what is readily visible.

We use a three-step process along with containment and negative air machines to kill all mold, remove mold spores, toxins, and dead organic material, restoring your home back to a healthy environment. Multiple highly advanced mold resistant coatings are applied, and we provide an energy efficient, maintenance free, moisture control ventilation system to aid in preventing the problem from recurring. Full containment is applied for the cleanup of mold-contaminated surface areas. Areas of containment are required whenever surface areas treated are greater than 100 square feet, or in any situation in which it appears likely that the occupant space would be further contaminated without full containment.

National Waterproofing Systems' strong combination of basement waterproofing and mold remediation expertise, packaged with the integration and utilization of today's most advanced waterproofing materials and highly developed mold remediation & mold prevention products, is a key component of the companies ability to provide superior workmanship, quality and performance. Our master waterproofers and certified mold remediation experts implement unsurpassed basement waterproofing methods and professionally apply scientifically advanced mold removal products that will permanently eliminate water intrusion, neutralize mold infestation, and prevent recurrent mold growth. Inevitably meeting our objectives of providing our customers with a healthy, strong, total moisture control solution for the life of their structure. National's comprehensive mold services extend to residential, commercial, school, hospital, hotel and industrial facilities.

Whether you need remediation in an existing property, or prevention in a new construction home, please give us a call today. We got you covered.

THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF MOLD

In February 2000, a Texas grand jury found reason to continue a criminal investigation of child endangerment charges against an insurance company for its handling of a water damage claim. This investigation was prompted by a criminal complaint filed by the policyholder and follows the filing of a $100 million lawsuit in 1999 against the same insurance company for its handling of the claim. The policyholders say that the insurance company did not act properly or in a timely manner following the water damage claim. The allegation is that the house is now uninhabitable.

The family claims that, following the water damage, and while they were still living in the house during repairs, they were coughing up blood. The husband, the family claims, is now suffering from a cognitive dysfunction, among other injuries.

The problem? Mold. Stachybotrys chartarum (a.k.a. atra) to be specific. The mold developed following a water damage loss in 1998. The policyholders allege that neither the insurance company nor the company's expert informed the family that the home contained the deadly mold until their health was irreversibly damaged.

Stachybotrys chartarum was first identified and described by a scientist from wallpaper collected in a home in Prague in 1837. The toxic effects of Stachybotrys have been reported as early as the 1920s.

Is the Texas case merely an extreme example? Or is it a harbinger of things to come?

In 1993, the New York City Department of Health's Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology convened a panel of experts to study a growing and noted problem. Their report, "Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Stachybotrys Atra in Indoor Environments," was issued in 1994. An updated report, "Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments," was issued in April 2000. The scope of the report was expanded to include all mold or fungi.

These guidelines serve as the accepted standard on how to deal with mold. The initial 1994 report focused on Stachybotrys, but was revised in 2000 to include all mold (fungi).

If a room or building smells moldy when you enter it but you cannot see any visible source of mold, you may suspect that hidden mold is lurking somewhere nearby. If you or a family member is not feeling well, having respiratory problems or allergy problems this may also signal hidden mold in your home. Mold can easily find a place to grow in hidden locations such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, on top of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets, in basements and attics, etc. Hidden mold is also common inside walls around pipes (when pipes leak or have condensation present on a regular basis), inside ducts, and in roof materials. If you suspect you have hidden mold, contact National Waterproofing Systems, we have experts capable of analyzing and fixing your problem. Hidden mold is most common in basements due to moisture problems.

Investigating hidden mold problems is not always recommended for the home owner as it may be difficult and requires caution. Investigation of hidden mold can potentially disturb large areas of mold growth. For example, removal of paneling can lead to a large release of spores. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, consider contacting National Waterproofing Systems.

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED

While all claims should be responded to and handled promptly, timeliness on covered water damage claims is especially critical. A prompt response and an immediate commencement of cleanup and drying is essential in reducing or eliminating further damage, particularly by mold. The sooner the water is removed and the property properly dried out, the less property damage there will be and any related claim will also be correspondingly minimized. Water damage that is not addressed within 24 to 72 hours may result in the growth and spreading of mold which could be toxic.

A visual inspection is the most important step in identifying possible mold contamination. The inspection should include any areas damaged by water, e.g., behind cabinets, under carpets, inside wall cavities and any area with porous material or soft goods exposed to high humidity (over 60 per cent) or water for a period in excess of 72 hours.

The general rule of thumb is very simple: If you can see mold or smell mold, you have to remove it. Once you find and start removing the mold-damaged or contaminated materials, such as sheetrock, you should keep on removing the material until you find no more mold, either on the face of the sheetrock or on the back side of the sheetrock next to the studs. If the studs have mold contamination, you must consider the edge of the stud on which the other or exterior wall is attached.

Since the N.Y.C. Department of Health's panel of experts concluded that it was not possible to determine safe or unsafe levels of exposure for people with varying degrees of susceptibility, the guidelines essentially call for the removal of all visible mold.

The New York City guidelines state that in looking for mold following water damage, bulk sampling or air monitoring is not required. Remediation of all visibly identified mold contamination should proceed without further evaluation. However, if mold is not visible but is suspected because of circumstances such as water damage and unexplained illness, it may become necessary to test in order to rule out mold or to verify its presence. Porous materials, such as ceiling tiles, insulation and wallboards, with more than a small area of mold contamination should be removed and discarded. A small isolated area is defined as 10 square feet or less. A small area may be cleaned safely if done properly, without problems, and a check reveals no more mold.

Removal of the mold-contaminated material is only the first step. A certified mold remediation specialist should then remediate or decontaminate the structure and personal property involved.

Depending on such variables as the length of time from the initial water damage, the amount of water in the structure, the cleanliness of the water and the type of property involved, it may be necessary to remove carpets, pads and any other wet items (especially clothing and other soft goods) from the premises for proper drying, cleaning and treatment. Damp or wet carpets, pads or other items may provide a medium for potentially dangerous mold growth.

Flooding of property, pipe breaks in ceilings or walls, or standing water necessitates removing sheetrock that has been water-damaged, up to at least a foot or more above the high-water mark. Removal of at least some sheetrock may also be necessary to allow the wall cavities to drain and dry properly. Wet insulation, in the ceiling or walls, must be removed and replaced. Wet or damp insulation, especially in dark places like wall cavities is a breeding ground for mold. The insulation value is also reduced.

Prompt response and appropriate action is necessary to minimize damage in a water loss. A quick response will also allow the adjuster to determine if the mold is pre-existing or a result of the water damage. If the adjuster can inspect the loss within 24 or 48 hours of the initial damage, it is likely that any visible or detected mold may be the result of a pre-existing water problem, possibly a long-term leak. However, if the loss is not inspected or properly dried within 72 to 96 hours, it may be more difficult to determine if the mold was a pre-existing problem or a result of the covered loss, and thus also covered. The longer the delay in inspecting the loss, the more difficult it becomes to prove the mold was not caused by the covered loss.

UNDERSTANDING MOLD

Good mold and bad mold is found virtually everywhere, in indoor and outdoor environments year round. Generally mold enters homes through windows, doors, cracks and vents.

The U.S. Government estimates that Americans are exposed to over 200 different types of mold on a daily basis. It is a living organism that generally lives and thrives where moisture is present, in the absence of circulating air.

Everyone wants to know how to get rid of mold. We always reply, “Fix the water leaks and provide adequate ventilation,” as mold cannot colonize without moisture. The key to mold removal & prevention is to eliminate water and moisture penetration. Basements must be dried out, and humidity levels should be maintained at about 55% relative humidity or lower to prevent mold growth. Moisture control is the key to mold control. On wooden vessels or structures, crop out (remove) any area of Poria Incrassata or Merulis Lacrymans (dry rot), as it is a fungal spore that cohabitates with microbic fungi that are just waiting for the right conditions for growth in every structure.

If we have large, concentrated areas over four square feet of black mold and an offensive musty olfactory odor, we must take action immediately to prevent further colonization of this microbic infestation. When left untended, mold can cause a lot of structural damage.

1) They can lead to excessive wood damage. Like termites, certain mold and fungus are able to turn cellulose material (things made of wood or wood byproducts) to food and in the process will weaken and destroy the structural integrity of the home.

2) Mold and fungus release spores, which are their way of reproducing. These spores float around in the air of the home and pose inhalation risks to those living in the home. These spores are considered to be a major allergen and rank with pollen as a main source of contaminants for allergy sufferers.

3) Some types of molds and fungus release highly toxic mycotoxins which are byproducts that develop and then release during growth. These mycotoxins can cause severe adverse health problems for many people.

In short, mold should not be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, health problems can occur and building materials, goods and furnishings may be damaged.

Here are a few tips you should consider when choosing to “do it yourself” or choosing a mold remediation company:

Never remove drywall or carpeting without applying fungicide to kill mold spores that would otherwise release into the air to spread throughout the property.

Always HEPA vacuum dead mold spores, because spores aggravate our immune systems and allergies whether alive or dead.

Always encapsulate surfaces that you treated with fungicide, and strongly consider applying a product to prevent future mold from colonizing.

Always contain the remediation area. Often times air scrubbers, negative air flow machines and 6 mm plastic containment areas are necessary to prevent mold spores from colonizing elsewhere. It is possible to attempt mold remediation only to actually spread the mold problem to other areas of the property.