SMS Indoor Environmental Cleaning Inc FAQs

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if the area of mold is less than 10 square feet, you can remediate the mold. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Without proper engineering controls in place, an inexperienced person or company could spread mold spores and particles to clean areas where they can impact occupants or wait for conditions to grow. Bleach can also be dangerous if used incorrectly. It is safer, quicker, and smarter to hire an experienced mold remediation company.

Mold is ubiquitous in the air and will migrate indoors with wind, open windows and doors, and on pets, shoes, clothing, and more. Mold can remain dormant for long periods of time and only needs moisture, a surface, and a food source to take root and grow inside. Many indoor surfaces, such as sheetrock, wood, plaster, ceiling tiles, and more, are good areas for mold to grow. Mold can digest almost any organic for growth such as dust, lint, paper, cardboard, wallpaper paste, and more. For the most part, molds are present and waiting. The food source is always there, so if you can control the moisture, you can limit mold growth and avoid the need for mold removal. 

The best mold remediation industry protocols do not recognize fogging as viable remediation for several reasons. The fungicide agent must be diluted with water and if not applied or dried properly, leaves behind the very ingredients needed for growth, moisture, and water. Heavy droplets can fall out quickly and may not spread to impacted surfaces. In conclusion, fogging does not remove all mold from the environment.

Yes, mold remediation is possible! This is especially true if you hire a professional mold remediation company with experience and proper training that follows the best industry practices. It is most effective to remove and dispose of damaged building materials such as sheetrock, flooring, and carpeting as the mold “grows” into these materials. Structural materials can be cleaned in place, HEPA vacuumed, and treated with a clear anti-microbial coating. The most important action is to ensure that any moisture issue has been resolved it ensures that future growth doesn’t occur. 

If your professional mold remediation company follows proper protocols you may not need to leave the house at all. We remediate with proper engineering controls, removing mold and other debris from the work area via HEPA-filtered negative air pressure, exhausting to the outside. If you hire us, you should be able to remain in the home, but we do recommend that you check with your doctor because molds vary in toxicity and reactions vary greatly by individuals.

The remediation process is based on all local conditions and procedures required, so each job may have a different timeline. For instance, small attic remediations may be completed in a day. A full gut remediation of a home could take up to two weeks or more. It varies, but rest assured that our mold removal company will evaluate the conditions at the time of the free estimate and be able to let you know the projected time requirements.

No! As described above, molds are always present in the air, most often migrating through or present, but not growing. A home test kit requires that you leave a collection dish out for a fairly long period of time. Likely, you will get scary amounts of mold growth this way, but there is no way to know if these molds are growing in the house or just passing through. There are also no controls to quantify or compare your results to. When you hire an experienced mold removal company to test the air, you get the benefit of their experience. A good professional will perform a detailed visual inspection in conjunction with the samples to identify potential reasons for interior mold growth and will collect a control outside for comparison purposes. If the levels of airborne mold found in the property are similar and less than the outside results, the source is likely to be from migration.

We have been in business since 1989, locally in Medway, MA. We have been members of IAQA since 1998 and also NADCA. Both the IAQ and duct cleaning industry offer certifications and continuing education to build and confirm knowledge and expertise. We hold and maintain multiple certifications. Our management has over 60 years of experience and our crew leaders have been with us for over 20 years. All in all, we bring the experience, expertise, knowledge, and care needed to all of our mold remediation projects. We rely on word of mouth for most of our work, so our reputation is paramount.

A rodent dropping cleanup service is a professional cleaning service that specializes in safely and effectively removing and sanitizing areas contaminated with rodent droppings/feces, urine and nesting. An experienced firm aims to prevent health hazards and diseases associated with rodent infestations and most importantly, prevents hazard migration to occupied spaces.

Professional, experienced rodent dropping removal firms have the necessary expertise, training and equipment to safely and thoroughly clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodents. This minimizes health risks, ensures proper cleanup and disposal and prevents migration of the hazards to other spaces.

Yes, rodent droppings can carry diseases and bacteria, including hantavirus and salmonella. Inhaling dust or particles from contaminated areas can lead to health problems, making specialized, professional cleanup crucial. Keep in mind that urine soaks into porous building materials, like insulation, ceiling tiles, sheetrock, wood, etc. all of which will need to be disinfected.

Signs of a rodent infestation, such as droppings, nests, or urine stains, are clear indicators. Rodents tend to nest in insulation materials; tunnels or holes in the insulation signify activity.  Staining on ceiling tiles, wood, may be signs of rodent urine. If you suspect an infestation or find droppings, it's advisable to seek professional cleanup to avoid health risks.

The most important step is to isolate the work area with poly containment and HEPA-filtered negative air; this minimizes migration of hazards to other non-contaminated spaces.  The cleanup crew will wear the property PPE for safety. The cleanup process includes the removal of droppings, contaminated materials, nests and may include impacted building materials such as insulation. The affected area is then thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized to eliminate any remaining bacteria and odors following best industry practices.

It is best to eradicate the rodents before starting the cleanup. Sealing entry points is critical to prevent future infestations, but not all entry points may be visible or accessible for sealing until the removal and cleanup is complete (especially if materials like insulation are impacted).  Depending on the extent of the entry points, cleanup services may also provide services to seal off entry points after cleanup.

It's crucial to address rodent dropping contamination promptly to protect your health and ensure a clean and safe environment. Hiring a professional cleanup service is often the best course of action as soon as you discover rodent droppings or signs of infestation. 

It's not advisable to clean rodent droppings yourself, as improper handling can pose serious health risks. Professionals have the necessary protective gear, training, equipment and expertise to safely perform the cleanup without spreading the hazards to non-contaminated areas.

Yes, most professional services not only remove the droppings but also thoroughly sanitize and disinfect the affected areas to eliminate disease-causing pathogens. If visible droppings/feces are present so is urine which soaks into wood, sheetrock and other porous building and must be disinfected as well.

When choosing a service, ensure they are trained and experienced in rodent dropping cleanup.  There are no certifications or licenses required in MA, but reliable professionals maintain training and certifications for other indoor hazards like mold and follow OSHA hazard protocols.  Additionally, ask about their cleanup process, safety measures and experience.

Air duct cleaning is the process of removing dust, debris, and contaminants from the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system's ductwork and components to improve indoor air quality. It should also include cleaning of the return chamber and fan and the heating and cooling coils inside the air handler cabinet.

Air duct cleaning can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the presence of allergens and contaminants in your home, potentially leading to better respiratory health and energy efficiency in your HVAC system. The cooling and heating coils remove moisture from the air which moves through the air handler into a drain pan and to a condensate drain.  This moisture contributes to mold and bacterial growth in the cabinet and drain pan.

The frequency of air duct cleaning varies depending on factors like your location, lifestyle, allergies, medical conditions, pets and the HVAC system's condition. In general, it's recommended every 3 to 5 years, but consult with a professional for a personalized recommendation.

Not necessarily. If your home has no history of indoor air quality issues and your HVAC system is well-maintained, you may not need regular cleaning. Consult with a professional to determine your specific needs.

While dirty ducts can worsen indoor air quality and potentially exacerbate respiratory issues in some individuals, the link between dirty ducts and specific health problems is not always clear-cut. Clean ducts can, however, help prevent health issues. Clean ductwork and filters ensure that your air handling system will work more efficiently and help your equipment last longer.

DIY duct cleaning is not recommended. Professionals have the right equipment, training, and experience to do a thorough job without damaging the HVAC system. DIY attempts can lead to more problems.

Professionals typically use specialized equipment, including vacuums, brushes, and compressed air tools, to dislodge and remove contaminants. True indoor air quality professionals will be able to treat mold growth, seal leaking ductwork, friable insulation and coat drain pans.

When hiring a service, ensure they are certified, trained, have positive reviews, and provide a clear estimate of the work to be done. Ask about their cleaning methods and equipment.

While cleaning can improve HVAC system efficiency, the impact on your energy bills may be modest. The primary benefit is usually better indoor air quality.

Signs include visible dust and debris around vents, persistent odors, increased allergy symptoms, and reduced airflow. If you notice any of these, it's a good idea to have your ducts cleaned.