All Forum Posts by: Bryan Swallow

I know laws are different in each state, so you'll want to check on which ones affect you in D.C.. In Arizona, we have had a rush of banks hire remediation contractors because a house with mold cannot be sold "as is", it must be taken care of prior to the sale or the seller can face liability issues. If the mold issue is included in the disclosure, be sure you will have a rough time flipping without proof of professional remediation. If you are renting, it can leave tenants for a way out of a lease, or worse yet, an avenue to litigate.

You should be able to find at leasta couple of contractors that can give you free estimates, or look for a local, certified inspector who can do a pretest for you and write up a protocol of what they conclude needs to be done. They normally charge between $150 to $300 for this service. Look for a member of the IAQA, a not-for-profit group dedicated to indoor air quality. Avoid inspectors that work for a remediation company, they should be independent.

Note that wiping off visible mold with bleach only cleans the surface, and does not take care of the mold issue.

Mold eats what it grows on, and will more than likely be on the backside of the drywall as well. As long as conditions are favorable( water problem never fixed), it will continue to grow and weaken and destroy the wall it is growing in.

Always make sure you solve the source first. If you don't fix the moisture intrusion problem, it will come right back, even through KILZ. Go to the EPA website and download the free pamphlet "A Brief Guide t Mold and Moisture in Your Home". Most minor mold problems can be easily fixed by the homeowner.
If you ever do need to call in remediators, avoid those who use scare tactics to try and force you to sign a contract.

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Bryan Swallow, I am in the disaster restoration industry as a damage mitigator, as well as an instructor. Over the years I've worked on hundreds of projects, from small damage projects in mobile homes to multi-story commercial properties.

I thought it might be good to start a thread where people can come with questions about what to do, or what to expect when dealing with different types of damage.

Let's start with something very basic and important: Does your property management know what to do in case of emergency?

I recently came upon this situation when called in to do an estimate by the tenant whose child had left the upstairs bathtub running, causing a partial flood upstairs and downstairs. The property management left it to the tenant to handle everything, and refused to notify the property owner.

Unless handled properly, water can continue to cause damage for weeks that can lead to very costly remodeling and remediation repairs. Would you leave the repairs up to the sole discretion of a tenant who has no vested interest in the value of your property, other than their deposit? Does your property management have a plan in place for emergencies, or do they just collect the rent? If you believe they have a plan, how do you know; did you ask or are you assuming?

Having contigency plans in place cost little to nothing to set up, and can save you thousands the first time you need it.