Naples, Cape Coral, Ft. Myers Mold Testing and Mold Remediation

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Microscope, established in 1999 is located in Fort Myers and Naples FL. Microscope specializes exclusively in mold remediation. Microscope has completed many mold cleanup projects for residential, institutional and commercial customers throughout Florida and the United States. Microscope has worked with many high profile customers to improve their buildings indoor air quality:

Harbor Branch Oceanography Institute
Cleveland Clinic
Gambro Health Care
Lee County School District
Indian River School District
Federated Department Stores.
Visual Arts Center Punta Gorda Florida
24Hr Fitness
Barbara B Mann Performing Art Center
Toll Brothers Builder

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Microscope has completed hundreds of remediation projects for residential customers.
One of the first businesses of its kind, Microscope offers a complete suite of indoor air quality services.

Mold Investigations
Mold Sample testing
Independent laboratory testing
Mold Cleanup and Remediation Services
Building Envelope Survey
Moisture Mapping
Thermal Imaging
Indoor Air Quality Investigations

Microscope is distinct among remediation specialists, for the following reasons:

»	Speed. Microscope can assign a team as large as necessary for the scope of any project, so the work goes quickly and “to the letter” of the environmental consultant’s protocol… eliminating the need to schedule home or facility activities “around” the remediation.
»	Objectivity. To determine if there’s an actual need for Microscope’s services, Microscope refers its clients to certified independent environmental consultants, who perform the investigations necessary for mold source identification and remediation protocol development.
»	Knowledge. Microscope Director of operations specializes exclusively in and was one of the first to become fully certified by the IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association) to perform mold remediation. Other companies “diversify” and divide their attention among other disciplines. Microscope keeps its finger on the pulse of industry trends, legislative development, liability issues and new and upcoming technologies.
»	Brian L’Hommedieu, the founder and owner of Microscope received his CMR (Certified Mold Remediator) and a CIE (Certified Indoor Environmentalist) from the IAQA. Brian L’Hommedieu has been a go to expert for many media outlets seeking information about mold and the health dangers it can pose.

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Prior to forming Microscope in1999, Mr. L’Hommedieu Started After the Storm Emergency Management, a Fort Myers, Fla.-based business focused on comprehensive catastrophe restoration. His early professional years were spent as a Dririte water damage restoration franchise proprietor, before that he was carpet cleaning technician. Brian L’Hommedieu attended St. Joseph’s College, Suffolk, N.Y.

About Mold

"Mold" refers to more than a million species of microscopic fungi. Mold spores are seeds; spores continually travel through indoor and outdoor air, germinating when they land on surfaces with excess moisture and an organic food source. Building materials such as wood, carpe, sheetrock and particle board are likely places for mold growth. Spore germination can happen within 24 to 48 hours, and some spores may remain viable for many years.

Indoor Mold Types

Cladosporium is most commonly identified as an outdoor fungus, with high spore count in the summer months. Indoors, it’s usually found on in the fiberglass liner inside air ducts. Its indoor food sources include food, paint and textiles.
Penicillium is most commonly found in carpet, wallpaper and interior fiberglass duct insulation. It’s a relatively wide mold classification. Some species can produce toxins.

Aspergillus is considered to be wholly allergenic and may be parasitic. Depending on the fungus’ food source, some species may produce toxins that may or may not be considered potential human carcinogens.

Strachybotrys chartarum (commonly known as “black mold”), the most deadly form of mold, is relatively rare. Chiefly an indoor fungus, it’s dark-colored (usually greenish-black) and slow-growing, but can be poisonous when inhaled. Even non viable spores are allergenic and toxic.

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Causes

Mold grows where excess moisture is present. A variety of conditions can cause moisture problems, including roof, window and plumbing leaks; condensation; flooding; and excess humidity (generally above 60% - 70%). Tightly sealed buildings, such as those constructed during the energy crisis 20-30 years ago, may be a fertile environment for mold because they do not allow moisture to escape easily. There is also documented evidence indicating a high level of mold problems in newly constructed buildings, due to poor construction practices or using modern, water-permeable building materials such as gypsum board, plywood and paper-type insulation.

Tips

Mold Tips For Homeowners

1.	Dry wet or damp materials quickly--24-48 hours after a leak or spill.
2.	Keep indoor humidity low—ideally, between 30 and 50% relative humidity.
3.	Vent bathrooms, clothes dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
4.	Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers
5.	Increase ventilation
6.	Use exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, cleaning and bathing
7.	Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
8.	Keep air conditioning drip pans clean; maintain proper flow in drain lines.
9.	Prevent leakage around windows and doors.
10.	Add insulation around windows, piping, exterior walls, roof or floors to reduce potential for condensation.

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Renters

1.	Report all plumbing leaks and moisture problems immediately to your building owner, manager, or superintendent. In cases where persistent water are not addressed, contact local, state or federal housing authorities.

Facility Managers

(Adapted from Today’s Facility Manager)

1.	Train staff to be on guard for signs of uncorrected moisture—stained ceiling tiles, staining on or around supply diffusers, water near air handling units and HVAC systems, stained carpeting and water stains under or near windows.
2.	Develop a water damage response plan and standard operating procedure for the prevention and mitigation of moisture and other potential indoor air quality concerns. Include a mold communications procedure in the plan.
3.	Inspect all HVAC and air-handling units on a fixed schedule to ensure condensate pans are not overflowing and no condensate is released into drop ceiling tile, insulation or other building surfaces.
4.	Inspect HVAC ductwork periodically for signs of moisture, damage or mold growth.
5.	Dry all water spills and leaks immediately and thoroughly. With major leaks (such as a water line break), retain a qualified and competent drying contractor immediately.
6.	Wet ceiling tiles, drywall, spray-on insulation and fiberboard ductwork are usually difficult to dry and are often disposed of after a major water leak. Carpeting can sometimes be saved—but only if it is dried quickly, usually in 24-48 hours.

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Builders

(Adapted from Housingzone.com)

1.	Use quality building products, especially when dealing with siding, shingles, windows and pipes.
2.	Carefully install roofs and windows, ensuring they are properly flashed.
3.	Ensure that lumber and drywall are dry during installation.
4.	Add insulation around cold surfaces to reduce the possibility of condensation.
5.	Ensure that rainwater drains away from the building through downspouts and proper landscaping.
6.	Provide ample and properly sized venting fans in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
7.	Position hot air registers so they don’t force air onto exterior walls, creating condensation.
8.	Avoid using vinyl wallpapers in high-moisture areas, as they can create a de facto vapor barrier, trapping moisture in the wall.
9.	Maintain appropriate air movement and temperature range during renovation, even if the home is vacant, to keep mold from becoming established.

Realtors

(Adapted from the National Association of Realtors)

1.	Follow existing requirements of state law relating to latent defects and disclosure, including any particular requirements and standards of care set forth by state licensing authorities.
2.	Identify publications of the state or local departments of health or other appropriate agencies that explain the mold issue. Provide these public education booklets as a service to clients and customers.
3.	If a visual inspection reveals conditions indicative of a mold problem (water stains, musty odors, leaky roofs or windows, plumbing leaks, sink/sewer overflows, visible mold growth), licensees should not speculate on the presence or likely development of mold. Instead, they should advise buyers—in writing—to contact a qualified expert to inspect the property, determine the nature of the problems and learn about remediation options.
4.	Encourage sellers to disclose any actual knowledge they may have of mold problems on their properties, subject to any state disclosure requirements.

Clean Up

The process

Mold should be treated like hazardous waste. To prevent further and more serious contamination, mold must be properly located, removed, and disposed of. Microscope removes mold only after qualified indoor air quality consultant has completed his inspection, reviewed sampling test results and recommended remediation. Then, Microscope�

1.	Reviews the clean-up protocol provided by qualified indoor air quality consultant.
2.	Develops a customized plan incorporating a removal strategy that (a) locates the moisture source, (b) corrects the problem and (c) removes mold by cleaning and disposal…all with minimal disruption of occupant routines.
3.	Reviews the removal plan with the remediation crew and discusses work procedures with occupant(s).
4.	Builds the appropriate containment chambers and incorporates negative air pressure techniques to limit cross-contamination (via airborne spores) during cleaning and removal.
5.	Seals contaminated materials in double-thick polyethylene plastic bags and loads them for disposal.
6.	Cleans non-porous materials with antimicrobial cleaning solution, dries them thoroughly, and uses high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums to remove 99.97% of all airborne particles.
7.	Dries wet, non-moldy materials to prevent mold growth.
8.	Runs air scrubbers (to filter air) for 24 hrs to ensure remediation effectiveness.

After the remediation, Microscope asks the qualified indoor air quality consultant to inspect and provide post remediation verification. If the cleaning and removal has been successful, indoor mold levels will be equal or lower than outside levels and clearance will be granted.

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Myths

Improved ventilation will “dry out” and eradicate mold. While good ventilation can stymie mold growth, established mold contamination cannot be solved by improving an existing air conditioning and filtering system. Once mold has germinated, it can become airborne, in which case even the best air conditioning system available only serves to move existing mold to multiple areas throughout a building.

Bleach applications can kill the plant mold. But mold grows from its roots, which are found inside porous or semi-porous construction materials. Chlorine fails to penetrate drywall, wood and other porous/semi-porous substances. Accordingly, bleach is a mere “surface” treatment that is powerless to permanently eradicate mold.