ATTIC CLEANING SAN DIEGO

A Change of Focus: Medically Sound Remediation

Our team has been going beyond into spaces of the home beyond reach, chasing mold, pests, contaminates, and otherwise doing full restoration for 2 decades. Now, our team uses these skills to make sure we still go beyond, we still check deeper, we clean better, and are constantly willing to do the hard work to get results.

Currently, we are not offering these general attic cleaning services unless as part of our Medically Sound Remediation and Small Particle Cleaning projects scope of work.

At Orange Restoration, our mission has always been to protect San Diego families from hidden environmental hazards. For many years, our team provided attic cleaning and insulation services. We inspected attics, removed debris, sanitized spaces, and even installed radiant barriers. While these services were valuable in maintaining healthier homes, our journey led us to recognize an even more urgent need in our community: medically sound remediation for individuals suffering from mold-related illness and CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).

Over time, we shifted away from standard attic cleaning and general insulation work. Why? Because the patients and families coming to us weren’t simply looking for energy efficiency or pest control, they were struggling with serious, life-altering health conditions linked to mold exposure. These conditions demanded a higher level of precision, accountability, and compassion than routine attic maintenance could provide.

Today, our focus is clear:

• Medically Sound Remediation
  We follow and exceed IICRC S520 standards, using methods specifically designed for hypersensitive individuals. Our protocols emphasize source removal, containment, and air quality restoration rather than quick cosmetic fixes. 
• CIRS Patient Support
  Roughly 25% of the population carries HLA-DR/DQ genes that make them genetically susceptible to mold illness. These clients need a remediation partner who understands the medical implications of mold exposure. We work closely with CIRS patients, their physicians, and Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEPs) to ensure environments are safe for recovery. 
• Small Particle Cleaning
  The difference between “visibly clean” and medically clean is the presence of ultrafine particles, mold fragments and biotoxins that ordinary cleaning leaves behind. We specialize in small particle cleaning, ensuring homes are truly safe for those with compromised health. 

While attic cleaning was once part of what we did, our expertise has evolved to meet the demands of medically fragile clients. We’ve raised the bar from basic home services to a specialized remediation practice built on science, compassion, and accountability.

If you or your family are struggling with mold sensitivity or CIRS, know this: you don’t just need your attic cleaned. You need a whole-home remediation plan designed to eliminate mold at the particle level and give you a medically sound environment in which to heal.

ATTIC INSPECTION CHECK LIST

• Examine the interior of your attic for pest damage and structural damage.
• Assess any home owners main concerns with thorough inspection of problems.
• Assess the insulation. Check the exterior of your home or roof.
• Inspect the attic vents for blockages and damage.
• Inspect HVAC electrical wiring, electrical wiring in attic, and other electrical wires that could be impacted by attic or crawl space.
• Attic inspection for animals, looking for droppings, gnawed or scratched material, nests, and foul smells.
• Inspect the roof for leaks and signs of water damage.
• Check rafters and trusses for structural damage.
• Pay attention to odors, which could indicate pest or mold presence.
• Ensure proper attic ventilation to prevent moisture problems. Review findings with homeowner, showing photos, examples of inefficiency, and make suggestions for further actions.

An outdated attic can also hold hazardous materials like asbestos or other chemicals that can cause severe illnesses if exposed to over a long period of time. With proper care, by removing health hazards and preventing them, and with updating essential materials like insulation and air systems, your attic can be the proper barrier it’s designed to be, keep you safe and healthy, and even help you save money on energy.

Past Attic & Crawl Space Experiences: Lessons for Today’s Science

In the past, our team provided detailed attic and crawl space inspections for San Diego homes. These inspections often uncovered issues that went far beyond energy efficiency, they revealed environmental risks that could impact health, especially for those with mold sensitivity or CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).

Our Attic Inspection Checklist (Past Service)

Back then, our inspections focused on:

• Examining attics for pest and structural damage.
• Assessing insulation and roof conditions.
• Checking ventilation systems for blockages and humidity issues.
• Inspecting HVAC lines, electrical wiring, and signs of water intrusion.
• Noting odors, mustiness, and visible mold growth.
• Reviewing findings with homeowners to explain potential risks. 

While the original purpose was home maintenance, these inspections taught us an important truth: attics and crawl spaces are frequent sources of mold exposure, and when left unchecked, they can contribute to long-term health problems. For CIRS patients, even small amounts of residual contamination could trigger serious symptoms.

Mold in Attics and Crawl Spaces

We frequently encountered mold growth in attics, where heat, wood sheathing, and poor ventilation created the perfect breeding ground. Similarly, crawl spaces often collected moisture, humidity, and leaks, all of which encouraged mold and fungal activity. In both environments, homeowners often didn’t realize the hidden contamination until their health began to suffer.

Signs we commonly saw included:

• Musty odors or “stuffy” air.
• Water stains, roof leaks, or soaked insulation.
• Black or brown staining on wood or rafters.
• Humidity trapped due to blocked or inadequate vents.
• Mold spores migrating into living areas through depressurization.
  

At the time, our work included cleaning, blasting, sealing, and ventilation repairs to reduce these risks.

Why This Matters for CIRS and Medically Fragile Clients

Through years of performing these services, we saw firsthand how often mold in attics and crawl spaces was underestimated, both by homeowners and by general contractors. Yet these spaces are critical for creating a safe environment. For those with CIRS, untreated attic or crawl space contamination can keep triggering inflammation even after other parts of the home have been “cleaned.”

That is why today our focus has shifted away from general attic maintenance and into Medically Sound Remediation, a higher level of service specifically designed to protect sensitive individuals. Instead of routine inspections, we now emphasize:

• Small particle cleaning to eliminate ultrafine mold fragments.
• CIRS-informed protocols developed with IEPs and medical guidance. (Need guidance for finding an IEP right for you? Read more in our blog!)
• Whole-home strategies, not just isolated repairs, to stop cross-contamination.
  

Our past attic and crawl space work laid the foundation for what we do now: raising the standard of remediation to ensure homes aren’t just “clean,” but safe for recovery and for health to thrive.