Mark Cornelius

Q: What do you enjoy most about mold remediation?

A: What I enjoy the most about mold remediation is the investigative side of issues. I must utilize my knowledge from multiple areas. Often the source is not as obvious as walking into a room and seeing or smelling the mold. Sometimes it hides. This can include something as simple as a leaking supply line in a bathroom vanity, or that the landscaping is sloped the wrong direction shunting water back against the structure. Once the source of moisture is determined, then the rest of the investigation can take place. Once the process is done, the client can return to a safer and healthier property. I also enjoy educating the customer on how the situation happened and what to look for, so they do not have to call me again.

Q: What are the top tools mold remediation professionals should have in their toolbox?

A: Even though most people think of a tool being a hammer, the most important tool is education. This is followed by keeping up with the current version of the ANSI/IICRC S520 and S500. For the inspection process, one will want a moisture meter, thermal hygrometer and thermal camera. Air scrubbers (AFDs) are needed typically in negative pressure mode. Once containment has been established with negative air, a manometer is needed to determine if proper pressure differentials are established prior to demolition. A proper respirator is needed by all in the work area, along with other personal protective equipment (PPE). HEPA-rated vacuums – not shop vacuums with “HEPA” filters – should be used. Instead of making your AFD have to clean the air as much, how about using a Kett saw attached to your HEPA vacuum? Not having to chase dust at the end of the project will increase profit margins. Using peroxide-based cleaning products will also assist in the removal of mold on framing items. These are just some of the items you will find on my projects.

Q: What are the most common missteps or misconceptions you see related to mold remediation?

A: There are no magic bullets! Products that take color away do only that. Many products claim all you need to do is spray and wipe the surface. Some products state they are stain removal only. People don’t read directions, then many manufacturers make no corrections to misleading social media boasts of the incorrect use of their products. Like watching a Lysol TV commercial. *Use as directed… not.

People don’t understand they need specific training to properly remediate mold. People want to buy a product/system that is so simple that anyone can get in on the max profit train with minimum effort.

Some believe they must seal or encapsulate all mold jobs to pass clearance. They also want to kill mold. A remediator’s job is to remove mold, not kill mold. If a person/company is worried, they should do a better job cleaning.

The mistake is doing a service that costs $1,000 to do for a $250 budget. Do what’s right! You can’t compete with a person who will have a $200 magic solution. The ANSI/IICRC S520 is the standard for a reason. Not every job requires demolition, but most require more than spray and wipe!

Q: What key steps should mold remediation contractors take to keep themselves safe during projects?

A: One major step in safety is stop letting men get away with wearing beards using a negative pressure fit respirator! I know many people are not going to like that comment. You can grow a beard back; you cannot repair your damaged lungs. Then, perform a site-specific hazard assessment for every job. Discuss the hazards for the job site at the beginning of each workday. The hazards change often depending on the tasks for that day.

Implement a competency-based training program for PPE and wear the proper PPE at all times. Learn how to properly doff the PPE that is worn. Do not reuse PPE that is supposed to be thrown away. Slow down, think things through, allow time to accomplish a task properly and safely. Use proper engineering controls to reduce airborne contaminants. Keep walking and working surfaces cleaned up.

Everyone is a safety officer and should look out not only for themselves, but coworkers. If someone is about to trip over a power cord, don’t just stand there and watch it happen.

Q: Can you highlight your most memorable mold removal project and why it stands out?

A: I have done numerous mold remediation projects. The one that stands out the most is from about two years ago in my own home. Three and a half years ago my mother passed. She had a fully furnished apartment in the basement. After she passed, I never went down there much. I noticed that my family, including the cat, was progressively having more allergy-like symptoms. When I came home off the road, I would have to start medicating within a couple of hours for my allergies.

One day I noticed something on the AC vent. Every vent in the house had the same little black and green round specks. The HVAC system had malfunctioned in the basement. The damper system that was supposed to share AC with the apartment side of the basement closed. The humidity was over 80% in the basement. Visible mold was growing on the remaining furniture. The HVAC system spread it upstairs.

With the problem solved and the impacted areas and items cleaned, the house had much less noise from all the sneezing. Even the cat who is 14 years old started acting like a kitten again.

Q: What are your top predictions and/or hopes for the near future of mold remediation?

A:

Hopes:

• People will start understanding that mold remediation is more than quick, easy money. The quality of their work has a direct impact on the health and lives of the client. The quality of the service they do or do not perform will have a lasting impact on the people occupying the structure they worked on.
• Contractors will get educated more on what needs to be done versus what they think they can charge for a piece of equipment. A person who knows how to use a shovel to the best of its ability will make more profits than a person who doesn’t. If contractors focus on the quality of the work, the money takes care of itself.

Predictions:

• More and more states are implementing licensing requirements. I predict that it is just a matter of time before the federal government gets into it. Unfortunately, the majority of this is self-inflicted due to poor quality of work and disservice to the client.
• More people will continue to buy into this industry because of many of the misconceptions listed previously. Most of the students I teach are shocked about what they did not know about proper remediation techniques.     

Q: What key resources do you turn to for continued education in mold remediation?

A: To stay current in education and practices in the mold remediation industry, I tend to read industry-related papers and articles. I engage distributors and manufactures of products in conversations about what they are selling and why. I also serve on industry-related committees and seek the input of other instructors in my field. Just like I tell my students, I do my own research. I do not just take the word of a salesperson who only has a product or process to sell. Salespeople only tell you the good stuff; you need to look for both the negatives and positives, be honest with yourself. Then you can figure out what works.