1. What is it made of?

Protective Coatings Group's (PCG) mold resistant coatings are water-based, and free of VOC's (volatile organic compounds). They are applied to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on materials commonly used in construction. PCG's products are environmentally friendly proprietary blends of the most commonly used mold resistant technologies.  These state of the art blends give PCG's products the ability to outperform all other construction pretreatment solutions on the market today by providing results immediately upon application and longterm results that are designed to last for over 70 years in cyclical flooding environments.

2. Is it harmful to humans or pets?

No, they are not harsh chemicals. PCG uses an inorganic antimicrobial additive that is registered with the EPA. The products contain no VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) so there is no “off-gassing” or offensive smells from the product following the installation of the pretreatment material.

3. Does it make the mold go away?

It will not remove discoloration from mold stains already on the material. It is designed to inhibit the growth of existing spores and/or organisms on the surface and to prevent further growth and degradation of the material it is applied to.

4. How long does it last?

The products are designed to last for the life of the structure however it is warranted for 25 years. In case studies it has proven to last more than 70 years in cyclical flooding environments.

5. How do I know it works?

Third party independent labs using ASTM standards have ensured the performance of all of PCG's products in a controlled laboratory setting. Additionally, PCG has contracted various independent testing facilities to document ASTM performance. Just check our "Spec Info" page for detailed information.

6. Does this require a licensed or certified applicator?

Yes . Prevent Tech NW is licensed, bonded, and insured in Oregon and Washington, and is the certified PCG applicator for Oregon and Southern Washington .

7. Will this greatly adjust my construction schedules?

No. Application takes on average, 1 hour per 2000sf of structure. Dry time for the product is about 30 minutes, and the treated surfaces withstand all normal post application construction. Although the material is harmless to humans, company policy requires that no trades be present for the duration of the application. Our highly skilled project coordinators will work with your schedule to ensure the least amount of disturbance and a timely application.

8. If it has been dry during construction do I still need to use Prevent Tech NW?

Yes . Due to high energy efficiency standards in the building codes today, our structures do not breath very well. Moisture can become trapped inside of wall cavities, crawl spaces, and attics, resulting in vigorous mold growth. Contrary to popular opinion mold is still an issue even when it is dry, and in most cases is worse. Even in areas as dry as Southern California and Arizona mold is still a major issue. Microscopic mold spores numbering in the millions will not be visible to the naked eye and can lay dormant for several years and be awakened by any increase moisture.

9. Do I need Prevent Tech NW if I use kiln-dried lumber?

Yes . Kiln-dried wood will still encounter mold spores on the way to the jobsite, on the jobsite and even after being placed in the structure. KD lumber was designed to reduce dry times, decrease transportation costs, and increase structural stability. Moisture intrusion in the event of a construction defect will awaken any spores on the lumber.

10. Do I need this service if foam insulation is used?

Yes . Foam insulation will only assist in keeping the wall cavity dry. It will not prevent mold from growing in the event of a moisture intrusion, and without pretreatment mold will spread unchecked inside the wall cavities.

11. Does this service reduce the dry times of my homes?

No. This service is not a replacement for best building practices. However, the studs do not have to be completely dry. Our products are not a vapor barrier. It will allow the wood to breath during its drying phase. However, no mold will be growing during that process thanks to our products. Prevent Tech NW does offer drying services with our DryRated program to speed the drying of the structure.

12. We build our homes with all of the latest technology and all the necessary building steps to keep the house and wall cavities dry, why should I need this service?

Let's imagine that all seemingly necessary steps have been taken to prevent the possibility of condensation. Then, let's imagine that some unforeseen damage results in a moisture intrusion. The problem may go un-noticed for some time, and mold will be allowed to spread unchecked. Once our pretreatment solution has been installed it will hinder the spread of mold. Pretreatment is a safe and effective measure that can be taken to reduce the potentially overwhelming affects of mold.