Steamatic of Sacramento has effectively and efficiently remediated mold from hundreds of businesses and homes and can guide you through the process if it happens to you.

The health and safety of the building occupants is Steamatic’s top concern during mold removal inside a building. Our technicians use the most current and accepted industry guidelines during all phases of a mold remediation job.

In business since 1972, Steamatic was one of the first Sacramento-area restoration contractors to specialize in mold remediation. Our first mold removal job was in 1998.

Steamatic of Sacramento cleans mold-contaminated furnishings
Steamatic also safely cleans mold spores from most furnishings that other restoration companies throw away. Steamatic reportedly has the most sophisticated mold decontamination chamber in the country.

Source of water must be identified and fixed
Before mold remediation begins, the source of the water causing the mold must be identified and fixed. Schedule a moisture inspection if you need assistance locating hidden leaks or seepages. Steamatic also can safely dry areas of a building that have mold growth.. Even the best mold remediation efforts won’t prevent the mold from returning if the moisture intrusions aren’t fixed.

Mold growth must be contained to prevent cross contamination
The first phase of a mold remediation job is setting up a negatively-pressured polyethylene containment to prevent the spread of mold spores. The containment can range from a simple local containment to the more sophisticated system shown in the photo on this page. Steamatic personnel must wear OSHA-required personal protective gear while inside containments and while they are remediating mold.

Steamatic uses source removal to remediate mold
As recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) and other industry authorities, Steamatic doesn’t use chemicals to kill mold because even dead spores can cause health issues. Similarly, Steamatic doesn’t encapsulate mold growth.

Instead Steamatic uses source removal methods to remediate mold. When porous building materials such as drywall or ceiling tiles have active mold growth, the only option is to cut out or demolish the affected areas. Steamatic cleans non-porous surfaces with HEPA vacuuming and damp wiping. When appropriate Steamatic also uses dry ice or soda blasting for mold removal. Dry ice blasting is rapidly become the preferred method of cleaning mold from wood as it is the fastest, cleanest and most environmentally-friendly process. As for cleaning the air, the filters in the negative air machines trap the mold spores.

Steamatic cleans mold-contaminated air ducts
Air ducts and other parts of heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may become contaminated with mold and may spread spores through the structure. Steamatic has the extensive experience and certification to clean mold-contaminated air ducts and to prevent cross contamination.

Steamatic dries and remediates crawlspaces contaminated with mold
Crawlspaces that have been wet and humid for some time may have mold growing on wood joist, sills, support beams and sub flooring. Steamatic dries and remediates mold in crawl spaces as part of our crawlspace services.

Steamatic has referral list for qualified mold testing
Whether mold testing by a qualified third-party Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) should be conducted before and after a mold remediation is open to debate. The EPA leans to the side of less testing while the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IIRCRC) mold guideline leans towards more mold testing. Some factors to consider include the extent of the mold, the risk to the health of occupants and whether a project is so complex that a qualified IEP should write a protocol to guide the clean-up. Steamatic maintains a referral list of qualified IEPs.

Post testing by an IEP happens more often in mold cleanups, and we recommend it to our customers. In addition to providing assurance that the mold has been safely remediated, it assists with the risk management of the building and occupants. It is important that the IEP be an independent third party, who doesn’t have a business relationship with the remediation contractor.

Steamatic adheres to industry guidelines in mold remediation
The industry guidelines referenced by Steamatic during a mold restoration project include: “Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control published by the American Congress of Governmental Industrial Hygienists,” “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercials Buildings” by the EPA and the IICRC’s “S520 Standard & Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation.”

Black mold and toxic mold aren’t species
According to the EPA, black mold and toxic mold are neither a species nor a specific kind of mold although Stachybatrys and Aspergillus are often described that way in the press. No matter what the species, extensive mold growth inside a building isn’t healthy for the occupants.

To learn more about the basics of mold removal from a neutral source, paste this address into your browser: www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html.