Restoration and remediation are the terms used to describe the process of repairing a building with water damage, mold contamination or fire damage.
This is a relatively new industry, 10 – 15 years old. The critical difference between renovation and restoration is the fact that water damaged buildings are hazardous to your health.
At this time the Canadian Building Code does not deal with mold or water damage. Due to the high incidence of mold infected buildings this will probably change in the future.
The governing body for the insurance industry in North America for mold and restoration is the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC). The IICRC has protocols for all types of mold, water and fire damage work.
A simple overview of a mold damage situation could be a leak from a deck, roof or wall. The moisture has a chance to saturate the wood structure. Within 48 hours mold will start to grow. Between 2 – 7 days the mold spores will multiply rapidly and will contaminate the air. Mold spores can cause health hazards such as sore throat, coughing, headache. Only the fittest will not be affected.
Over the last several years I have been seeing more and more renovations in older homes turn into “sick house” jobs due to mold contamination.
To meet this new demand in the marketplace, I have taken various courses and become certified with the IICRC.
Add humidistat to bathroom fan to allow the fan to run onger
Environmental Causes:
A common situation for weekenders concerned about the high cost to heat a house when it is empty.
When the heat is left below 12-13degthe temperature will hit the dew point.Condensation will start forming at the highest point of the ceiling.Condensation turns to into mold when left unchecked.
This causes the home to have a musty smell
Cure – keep the heat above 15 – 16 deg
Structural Causes:
Organics and mold spores seeping upstairs from crawl space that weither has no or poorly applied 6mil poly vapour barrier
Cure:
Apply new poly and tape edges with tuck tape
Add 2” concrete skim coat
If water table is close to the surface install sump pump 2ft below the ground
Water Egress:
Houses on steep slopes can have water leak into the siding due to 6 months of snow accumulation on the exterior.This applies as well to decks over living spaces
This can rot the wall or ceiling behind the drywall
Cure
Excavate some of the backfill if necessary
Remove siding or Gyproc to inspect
Redo deck surface
Keep snow away from the exterior walls
Note – if left unchecked for years the mold and mildew smell will permeate the complete house making it a “sick” house ( is see 1 or 2 every year)
Attics:
Attics with poor ventilation can cause mold to grow on plywood or strapping
Cure
Remediate before it gets worse
If mold has been left for years it is very difficult to remediate without redoing the complete roof
Difficult to Detect Air Quality Issues:
If no signs of mold can be found in the crawl space, attic, bathrooms it could be an old carpet that has had pets urinating on it for years without being cleaned regularly