Mold Remediation · IICRC S520
Mold done right the first time.
Mold isn't a cleaning problem — it's a moisture problem. Bleaching surface growth without identifying and stopping the moisture source guarantees regrowth within weeks. ONA Restoration follows the IICRC S520 standard for assessment, containment, and remediation.
- IICRC S520 method
- Containment + HEPA negative air
- Independent clearance testing
- Insurance billed direct
Why most mold jobs fail
Mold is a moisture problem wearing a cleaning problem's disguise.
Most "mold removal" is cosmetic — someone wipes the surface, sprays bleach, and leaves. The colony living inside the drywall and framing survives. The water that grew it is still there. Within weeks it's back, usually worse, and now harder to put on an insurance claim.
We work the problem in the right order: find and stop the moisture, contain the area so spores don't spread, remove what can't be saved, treat what can, and verify the air is clear before anything goes back. That's the difference between mold that's gone and mold that's hiding.
The ONA method
Six steps, to the S520 standard.
01
Inspection & moisture mapping
Identify the moisture source and the extent of contamination.
02
Third-party testing (recommended)
Independent IEP sets the scope and writes the protocol.
03
Containment & filtration
Poly barriers, negative air, HEPA scrubbers, decontamination chambers.
04
Removal & cleaning
Non-salvageable porous materials removed; framing HEPA-vacuumed and treated.
05
Drying & moisture control
Underlying moisture source repaired or rerouted. Area dried to standard.
06
Clearance & reconstruction
Post-remediation verification, then rebuild.
Why ONA for mold
What separates a real remediation from a wipe-down.
We chase the moisture first
We don't touch the growth until we've found what's feeding it — roof leak, supply line, foundation seepage, condensation. Fix the water, and the mold has nowhere to come back to. Skip that step and it returns in weeks.
Sealed containment, negative air
Poly barriers and negative-pressure HEPA scrubbers keep spores inside the work zone. The rest of your home stays clean while we cut, bag, and haul — not coated in what we just disturbed.
We don't grade our own homework
On larger losses we bring in an independent Indoor Environmental Professional to test before and after. The clearance that says it's safe comes from a third party, not from us.
Built to the S520 standard
Assessment, containment, removal, and verification all follow the published IICRC S520 standard for mold remediation — the same reference your adjuster works from.
Documentation an adjuster can audit
Moisture maps, daily photos, and an Xactimate-formatted scope on every job. We bill the carrier directly where the loss is covered, so you're not fronting the cost.
One crew through the rebuild
The team that removes the contaminated drywall puts it back. One contract, one point of contact, one clean finish — no handoff to a stranger halfway through.
Health & insurance
If someone in the house has asthma, allergies, or a compromised immune system, mold isn't cosmetic — get it scoped.
We handle the insurance side: we document the cause, photograph every step, and bill the carrier directly where the loss is covered. You deal with one team and your deductible — not a fight over what happened.
Warning signs
When to call.
Mold doubles fast in Pacific Northwest humidity. The earlier we scope it, the smaller the job. If any of these apply, call.
- Visible black, green, or white growth on walls or ceilings
- Persistent musty odor
- Allergy or respiratory symptoms that improve when you leave the house
- Recent water damage left undried for more than 48 hours
- Discoloration around windows, in bathrooms, or in basements
FAQ
Mold Remediation — FAQ
Do I need a mold test before remediation?
For small, clearly visible growth from a known moisture source, often no — we can scope the work directly. For larger areas, health concerns, or insurance claims, an independent IEP test protects you and produces clearance documentation.
Is bleach enough for mold?
No. Bleach addresses surface coloration on non-porous materials but does not kill mold in porous substrates like drywall or framing, and it does not solve the moisture source. Improper DIY treatment usually makes the job more expensive later.
Does insurance cover mold?
It depends on the policy and the cause. Mold from a sudden, covered water loss is often covered up to a sublimit. Mold from long-term seepage or neglected maintenance generally is not. We help you document the cause for the claim.
How long does mold remediation take?
Most residential jobs run two to five days: a day to set containment and remove affected materials, a day or two of HEPA cleaning and drying, then clearance and rebuild. The driver is how far the moisture traveled and whether porous materials have to come out — which is exactly why we map it before we quote.
Will the mold come back after you're done?
Not if the moisture source is fixed — and that's the part most companies skip. We don't close a job until the leak, seepage, or condensation that fed the colony is repaired or rerouted and the area reads dry. Surface treatment without solving the water is why DIY and bargain jobs regrow within weeks.
Is it safe to stay in the house during remediation?
Usually yes. We seal the work area behind poly containment and run negative-air HEPA scrubbers so spores can't migrate into the rest of the home. For larger losses or sensitive occupants (asthma, allergies, compromised immunity) we'll advise whether to relocate during the active phase.
Do you remove the mold and rebuild, or just the removal?
Both — under one contract. The same crew that removes the contaminated materials puts the wall, insulation, and finishes back. No handing your half-finished house to a separate contractor, no second estimate, one accountable team from containment to final paint.
Mold Remediation by city
Local landing pages.
Same crew, same documentation. Tap a city for response times, local loss patterns, and neighborhood coverage.
- Mold Remediation · Vancouver, WA
- Mold Remediation · Portland, OR
- Mold Remediation · Beaverton, OR
- Mold Remediation · Hillsboro, OR
- Mold Remediation · Gresham, OR
- Mold Remediation · Tigard, OR
- Mold Remediation · Lake Oswego, OR
- Mold Remediation · Camas, WA
- Mold Remediation · Battle Ground, WA
- Mold Remediation · Salmon Creek, WA
Other services
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