A number of RIA members have partnered with All Hands Volunteers to create The Sandy Solution, a cleaning solution designed to remediate houses with mold growth as a result of flood damage from Hurricane Sandy, according to a press release. The work can be done by volunteers in conjunction with the property owner.

Michael A. Pinto, CSP, CMP, CEO Wonder Makers Environmental, Inc. and a leader on the project stated, “The most important part was the generosity of RIA members and other professionals in the restoration field in sharing their expertise. All volunteer groups working to help needy homeowners have funding limitations. Through their donations of time, equipment and expertise the RIA has helped to make this comprehensive solution possible.”  RIA members are dedicated to furthering education for residents and consumers in order to safely and properly repair damage after flooding disasters.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, households up and down the East coast were left with severe flood and storm surge damage. Initial responders were faced with significant health and safety concerns. But, as the time between the initial flood damage and cleaning efforts expanded, mold growth increased, causing more problems for the homeowners and contractors working to repair the damage.

The Sandy Solutionwas created to be a comprehensive approach to dealing with the cleanup, mold treatment, and drying. Depending on the building conditions and the needs of the homeowner, The Sandy Solution offers a stepped approach to repair the damage.

The steps include:

1. Evaluation of the structure to determine conditions, applicability of services, and recommendations to the homeowner.
2. Isolation of non-impacted upper levels from lower level (if applicable).
3. Removal of wet, porous materials (muck out) using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for construction and contaminant hazards.
4. Gutting of damaged finish materials, including plaster, wallboard, and sub-floors, as appropriate.
5. Renovation of electrical power panel to accommodate power distribution box for cleaning and drying.
6. Documentation of the initial level of contamination through moisture measurements and biological field test measurements.
7. Cleaning and mold treatment using a foam cleaning process
8. Drying of structural materials by reestablishing home heating and/or through supplemental drying.
9. Air washing of isolated upstairs areas for spore removal.
10. Documentation of final conditions in the structure through moisture measurements and biological field test measurements.
11. Coordination of rebuilding.

Unlike other cleaning solutions used in flood cleanup, The Sandy Solution uses a foam generator to apply anti-microbial cleaners. The goal is to have enough equipment and teams trained to use The Sandy Solution correctly to be able to clean 100 houses in seven to ten days.

For more information on The Sandy Solution or assisting in cleanup, please contact the RIA at 800-272-7012 or David Campbell of All Hands Volunteers at 617-312-2999 or at david@hands.org.