Removal Techniques & Methods Flashcards

During remediation of a water-damaged bathroom, the technician finds mold on tile grout but not on the tiles themselves. The recommended approach is:

Answer: Remove and regrout affected sections; clean tile surfaces with antimicrobial

Grout is porous and cannot be fully remediated; regrouting after removal addresses the contaminated material while preserving salvageable tiles.

What is the correct sequence for removing mold-contaminated wall-to-wall carpeting?

Answer: Mist carpet, roll inward from perimeter, bag while rolling, remove through containment exit

Misting suppresses spores, rolling inward contains contamination, and immediate bagging prevents spore release during transport.

Which factor MOST influences the decision to use wet versus dry removal techniques for mold?

Answer: The porosity and moisture tolerance of the substrate being remediated

Substrate porosity and moisture sensitivity determine whether wet methods are safe or whether dry mechanical methods must be used.

After completing mold removal in a containment zone, the containment walls themselves should be:

Answer: HEPA vacuumed and wiped down before dismantlement

Containment surfaces collect settled spores during remediation and must be cleaned before dismantlement to prevent recontamination of the clean area.

What is the primary purpose of a 'critical barrier' placed over doorways during mold remediation?

Answer: To prevent spore migration between the remediation zone and adjacent unaffected areas

Critical barriers seal openings to prevent contaminated air and spores from traveling from the work area into clean, occupied spaces.

When mold remediation involves spray application of an EPA-registered antimicrobial, the product label requires a 'dwell time.' This means:

Answer: The product must remain wet on the surface for a specified contact period before wiping

Dwell time is the contact period the antimicrobial must remain wet on the surface to achieve the labeled efficacy against mold.

A remediation project requires the removal of mold from a historic wood beam that must be preserved. Which method is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Gentle soda blasting with low pressure followed by HEPA vacuuming

Soda blasting at low pressure removes mold without damaging the wood fibers of irreplaceable historic structural elements.