Mold Removal in Homes

To remove mold, Bluestone utilizes methods that have been proven successful over the past several decades. In general, Bluestone’s mold remediation projects involve the following steps:

• Prior to doing any mold removal work, Bluestone workers isolate the work area from the occupied areas.
• A H.E.P.A.-filtered negative air machine is used to establish a negative air environment, and prevent airborne mold spores from escaping the work area.
• Workers then put on protective suits and respirators and enter work area.
• When remediating mold-contaminated drywall and other porous, non-structural elements, we carefully remove the building materials, wrap them in plastic sheeting or place them into bags, and immediately remove those materials from the home.
• When remediating contaminated structural members or other building components that cannot be removed (e.g. floor joists, wooden framing studs, etc.), Bluestone workers first disinfect those surfaces with a biocide solution and then abrasively clean the surfaces by scraping, sanding or wire brushing.
• The remaining surfaces are then encapsulated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial coating that is designed to kill residual mold and inhibit possible future mold growth.

Mold Removal in Buildings

To remove mold, Bluestone utilizes methods outlined in the Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation, (IICRC S520, Second Edition, 2008).  A typical Bluestone mold removal project will involve the following steps:

• Prior to doing any mold removal work, Bluestone workers isolate the work area from the occupied areas of the building.
• A H.E.P.A.-filtered negative air machine is utilized to establish a negative air environment in the work area in order to prevent airborne mold spores from migrating from the work area.
• Mold remediation workers then put on don protective suits and respiratory protection, and enter work area.
• When abating mold-contaminated sheetrock, drywall, or other porous, non-structural elements, we carefully remove the building materials, wrap them in plastic, place them into bags, and immediately remove those materials from the building.
• When remediating contaminated structural members or other building materials that cannot be removed (e.g. studs, wooden frame work, etc.), Bluestone workers disinfect those surfaces with a biocide solution and then clean the surfaces by scraping, sanding or wire brushing. 

An anti-fungal encapsulant is then applied to the remaining surfaces.  The encapsulant is an EPA-registered antimicrobial coating designed to kill residual mold and prevent future mold growth.

Asbestos Removal in Buildings

The main steps involved in a typical Bluestone asbestos removal project are:

1. Prior to performing any asbestos removal work, Bluestone workers establish a regulated work area and isolate that area from the rest of the building. 
2. High Efficiency Particulate Air (H.E.P.A.)-filtered negative air machines are utilized to establish a negative air environment to prevent migration of asbestos fibers from the work area.
3. Workers put on protective suits and respirators and then enter the work area.
4. Workers carefully remove the asbestos materials while using amended water.
5. All surfaces are H.E.P.A. vacuumed and wet wiped as a final clean.
6. An encapsulant is applied that locks down possible asbestos fibers that may remain after final cleaning activities. 
7. All waste in the work area is double-bagged, properly labeled and transported from the building in accordance state and federal regulations.
8. An independent testing company conducts a final visual inspection.  If the work area passes the visual inspection, the testing company conducts clearance air testing to verify that the work area is safe for re-occupancy.

Bluestone follows the regulations and guidelines of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Asbestos Removal in Homes

In general, Bluestone’s asbestos removal projects consist of the following steps:

1. Prior to conducting any asbestos removal, Bluestone workers isolate the work area from all other areas of the home.
2. A high efficiency particulate air (H.E.P.A.)-filtered negative air machine is used to create a negative air environment and to prevent asbestos fibers from escaping from the work area.
3. Workers then put on protective suits and respirators and enter the work area.
4. Using amended water (to minimize the airborne asbestos fiber levels), workers carefully remove the asbestos materials.
5. Workers then remove all visible debris from the work area. All surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed and wet-wiped as a final clean.
6. An encapsulant, which locks down any possible asbestos fibers remaining after final cleaning activities, is sprayed over surfaces in the work area.
7. All waste in the work area is double-bagged, properly labeled and transported from the home.
8. An independent environmental testing company conducts a final visual inspection work area. If the work area passes this visual inspection, the testing company conducts a clearance inspection and air testing.