Is mold affecting your health or property?
Building occupants, homeowners, facility managers, and insurance companies are becoming increasingly aware of the adverse health implications of mold contamination. Exposure to mold can have serious health and financial impacts.
Prolonged exposure to moisture from construction defects, seepage, flooding, high relative humidity, and condensation will allow mold to reproduce and grow until it becomes a potential threat to human health. It has been determined that immune compromised adults and children may experience long and short term health effects from certain mold contaminants.
Hogan Associates has the experience, training, education, and expertise to minimize those impacts. We are indoor environmental professionals and are ACAC Certified Indoor Environmentalists and Certified Residential Mold Inspectors. We are scientists trained in the latest methodology of building sciences with advanced technology for mold testing and mold assessments. Our assessments include the following process:
Identify the Problem
- Visual inspection of the subject property to determine areas of concern for potential mold growth
- Moisture meter readings, relative humidity readings, building pressures, and air flow
- Thermal images of suspect areas to find hidden moisture behind walls and ceilings
- Extraction of surface and air samples of suspect locations and using an AIHA accredited laboratory
- Interpretation of laboratory results
- Comprehensive easy to read report with findings, laboratory results, conclusions, and recommendations
Moisture Control and Building Repair
In almost all situations, the underlying moisture problem and building defects must be corrected to prevent recurring mold growth. Indoor moisture can result from numerous causes such as: façade and roof leaks; plumbing leaks; floods; condensation; air leaks; improper insulation & ventilation; and high relative humidity.
We are trained and experienced to identify not only mold amplification, but also conditions which if not corrected, could lead to a return of mold growth and adverse air quality conditions.
Post Remediation Verification
Following a detailed plan, Hogan Associates is able to determine if a potential remediation project has been properly completed in accordance with industry standards using our expertise and advanced sampling techniques. We work to protect our clients from incomplete work.
Measures to ensure the quality and effectiveness of remediation should be undertaken regardless of the project size. Evaluations during, as well as after remediation, should be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of remedial work. At a minimum, these quality assurance indicators should be followed and documented:
- The underlying moisture problem was identified and eliminated
- Engineering controls in the work area were appropriate and effective
- Mold removal and worksite cleanup was performed according to the site-specific plan
- Any additional moisture or mold damage discovered during remediation was properly addressed
- Upon completion of remediation, surfaces are free from visible mold, dust, and debris.
Mold Scam: Mold Inspectors Who Do Mold Removal
The worst perpetrators of mold scams are “mold inspectors” who are also in the mold remediation business (mold removal). Mold remediation can be a very profitable business. Many mold removal contractors use free or discounted mold inspections as a means to drum up expensive remediation jobs for themselves. This is a common scam and a conflict of interest that works almost every time if the mold remediation company does not have a 3rd party mold testing assessment and review service.
How To Avoid It:
If someone is offering a free or reduced rate mold inspection you should be curious. Almost always, a “Free” mold inspection will find mold which results in proposed work. Mold testing professionals should never be attached to the outcome of a laboratory report. The best way to avoid this mold scam is to hire a qualified professional who is not in the remediation business and ensure that the remediation firm is using an independent 3rd party review to check ALL of their work. That’s the only way to ensure an unbiased mold assessment.
Are the Others Really Certified?
If a person holds a private mold related credential, you may be surprised to learn that it may be nothing more than a training certificate! ANSI/NOCA Standard 1100, published in MArch 2009, carefully distinguishes training certificates from professional certification programs and explains the key differences between the two.
What’s the Difference?
According to the ANSI/NOCA standard, a training certificate is awarded to someone who attends a particular course of instruction and passes a test based on that course only. A professional certification, on the other hand, is awarded to someone who passes an examination based on broad industry knowledge that is independent of a training course or course provider.
Does it Matter?
In Section 8, Standard 1100 stipulates that holders of training certificates NOT use the word “certified” in describing their credentials. The use of the word “certified” is reserved to holders of professional certifications as defined in the standard, such as the ACAC CIE designation and the IHMM CHMM designations which we proudly maintain.