Managing Airflow During Mold Remediation

Shawn Folks • July 14, 2020

During mold remediation, controlling airflow is vital. Oftentimes, it is something that is overlooked, but it should not be. When property owners discover mold growth in their home or business, they usually do not understand the safe and proper steps for effective mold removal. It can also be overwhelming to know where to start. 


Improperly removed mold can lead mold ingestion or cross contamination of areas that were previously unaffected. If mold growth is significant, a professional company, like Guarantee Restoration Services, should be contacted as soon as possible.


Many times, when mold is present, there are some commonly-asked questions that come up: 

1) Can a mold source be cleaned, or is it necessary to have it fully removed? 

  • Generally, if a mold source is present on a porous material then that material should be completely removed and disposed of.

2) Which product should be used to clean the settled spores associated with a small, visible mold source, once the source has been removed? 

  • Truthfully, the actual product used is much less important that the protocols followed to remove the source and manage any spores that were dispersed of during the removal process. 

In addition to controlling airflow, containment barriers are an important aspect of a mold remediation plan, but we’ll talk about those more later! 


The Four Steps of Mold Remediation

 

1. Pre-Testing

When mold is detected, pre-testing is an important element to ascertain baselines. It is also used to determine cross-contamination levels, which have been caused by spore migration. This pre-testing process should always be completed by Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) professional. This includes both air surface samples and visual inspection. Once testing is completed, a lab analyzes the samples to conclude what type of mold and concentration levels are present. These tests allow IAQ experts to create a step-by-step mold remediation plan. In turn, pre-testing allows companies like us, a mold remediation specialist, to have the most success in returning your home or business to normal fungal ecology, or safe levels of mold. 


2. Containment Barriers 

In some instances, when the mold source is visible and relatively small, the spore mitigation will likely not be extensive. The tests will determine if just that small area was affected. Containment barriers and HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Air Filtration Devices manage airflow, which protects the unaffected areas of your home or business. These barriers and AFDs will also capture any mold spores that are dispersed during the remediation process. Utilizing proper containment materials and managed airflow are truly important in protecting individuals and unaffected areas of the building. 


Conversely, if there is a large mold source present and spore mitigation is large, the use of pressure-supervised airflow and correct containment barriers become even more vital to halt spore travel. It also limits spore contamination in areas away from the initial mold source. 


3. Managing Airflow: Three Types of Air Pressure 

While managing airflow, there are three types of air pressure, negative, positive and neutral. 


Negative Air Pressure   

Negative air pressure is established when the air is exhausted out of a space. When it comes to mold remediation projects, creating negative airflow is extremely important. For example, hospitals often use this technique to isolate quarantine areas because of infectious diseases. Facilitating negative air pressure is done by removing more air out of a space than what is provided into the space. The negative air pressure that ensues inhibits migrating mold spores from traveling past the containment into unaffected areas of your building or home. 


Building negative air pressure consists of placing one or multiple containment barriers in your affected property. Typically, these containments have 4-6 millimeters of polyethylene sheeting between the affected and the unaffected areas. It exhausts enough air to facilitate four air changes per hour, or every 15 minutes. This containment barrier is not an airtight seal. The purpose of it is to restrict passive airflow, also known as replacement air, which causes negative air pressure.

 

Positive Air Pressure 

The second type of air pressure is positive. This technique is where air is directed into a space to positively pressurize the space and prevent air from leaking into the space from other areas. Many times, setting up positive air pressure is just as important in protecting unaffected areas, while affected areas are being remediated. Since sometimes negative pressure is difficult to achieve, positive air pressure is then created. 


For instance, you may need mold remediation in your attic, but there is low ventilation and no simple way to establish negative pressure. In this case, you would have to establish positive air pressure in rooms that are able to vent into the attic. Therefore, this will cause airflow to be directed into the attic and vented outside, which would protect the unaffected areas that are now protected by the positive air pressure.   


Neutral Air Pressure 

Neutral Air Pressure is when airflow is contained to a certain space. Normally, neutral air flow is utilized when outdoor air is undesirable, outdoor access is not available, or negative and positive pressures are not viable. 


Containment barriers used here should be set as closely as possible between the unaffected and the affected areas. In these cases, HEPA Air Filtration Devices should also be placed inside the mold–affected area with efficient cubic feet per minute (CFPM) capability to perform at least 4 air exchanges in the mold remediation area per hour. Supplementary HEPA AFDs may be placed outside the containment in the unaffected areas. These devices would capture any mold spores that might have escaped from the barrier. 


4. Post–Remediation Testing 

Regardless of what air method is used, containment barriers should be compressed and disposed of after the remediation is completed. The project should remain under neutral pressure and HEPA air scrubbing for an additional 24-48 hours. 

Once this is done, Post Remediation Verification (PRV) samples are gathered. This testing should include all areas of a building or home, whether mold remediation was completed in a particular area or not. The PRV test results will indicate whether the affected areas have returned to a normal fungal ecology. It also verifies that the containment barriers and airflow pressures effectively prevented cross contamination. 



Mold Happens, And We Can Help You 

At Guarantee Restoration, our team understands that you want to provide a safe working environment for your employees or living environment for your family. It’s no secret that mold can be harmful to those with compromised immune systems, so it is important to remediate these issues quickly and cost-effectively. 


As always, our team of dedicated professionals is available 24/7, for any mold, water, fire or wind property damage that needs immediate attention. If your business or home has experienced mold growth, contact us at 1-800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@guaranteerestoration.net. 

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Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country

By Christina Mullins • July 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).

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By Erik Seagrave • July 15, 2026
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Meet The Team | Jerome Etienne

By Christina Mullins • July 8, 2026
Behind every successful restoration project is a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping customers recover after disaster strikes. This month, we're introducing Jerome Etienne , a technician at our Baton Rouge office whose hard work and honesty make him a valued member of the Guarantee Restoration Services team. From Forklift Driver to Restoration Technician Jerome is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana , and joined Guarantee Restoration Services in September 2024 . Before beginning his career in restoration, he worked as a forklift driver. Since joining GRS, Jerome has embraced the hands-on nature of restoration work and takes pride in helping prepare properties for the rebuilding process. Finding Satisfaction in Demolition Work. When asked what he enjoys most about working at GRS, Jerome didn't hesitate. He enjoys working on demolition projects, where every job presents a new challenge and plays an important role in restoring a property after damage. Removing damaged materials safely and efficiently helps lay the foundation for the next phase of the restoration process, making demolition one of the most critical steps in recovery. Living the Core Value of Honesty Of GRS's five core values, Honesty is the one that resonates most with Jerome. "I believe people appreciate knowing the truth, especially after their property has been damaged. Being honest, dependable, and transparent helps build trust and shows our customers they can count on us from start to finish." Jerome believes honest communication helps reassure customers during stressful situations while building lasting trust throughout the restoration process. Advice for New Team Members Jerome's advice for anyone starting a career in restoration is straightforward. "Follow what the Lead Tech says. You'll learn everything you need to know." By staying willing to learn and trusting experienced team members, new technicians can quickly build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the field. Outside of Work When he's off the clock, Jerome enjoys spending time outdoors. Whether he's fishing or visiting the gun range, he enjoys activities that allow him to unwind after the work week. A Childhood Dream As a kid, Jerome dreamed of owning a food truck. While his career path eventually led him to restoration, that entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic continue to shine through in everything he does. Thank You, Jerome! We're proud to have Jerome as part of the Guarantee Restoration Services family. His dedication, honesty, and willingness to tackle every challenge help make a difference for both our customers and our team every day. Interested in Joining the GRS Team? At Guarantee Restoration Services, we're always looking for hardworking individuals who share our commitment to excellence, honesty, efficiency, and partnership. If you're interested in building a rewarding career with a team that makes a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers page to learn more about current opportunities and become part of the GRS family.
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