Why use a mold removal service?
If you have a large mold removal project exceeding 10 square feet (3 ft by 3 ft) or an area affected by flood or sewer damage it is usually best to consult a professional mold remediation service because it is safer. A good mold removal service will have the equipment and expertise to address your mold problem safely. Professional water removal services may also be necessary if you have had flooding to prevent future mold growth.
Do you have Black Mold?
Step 1: The Mold Inspection: There are several ways to detect mold but probably the cheapest is to buy a do-it-yourself mold detection kit. Some will require you to mail your mold sample off to a lab for analysis.
Another option for mold detection is to hire a mold remediation contractor because they can usually provide a wide range of mold detection services. Whether you choose an inexpensive mold detection test or hire a contractor may depend on your budget and the severity of the mold problem you suspect you have. The purpose of the mold inspection is to find out if there is mold, how much mold there is, and whether the type of mold you have is a health risk. If you have black mold, additional mold remediation services may be required.
The Advantage of using a 3rd Party Mold Remediation Service
Mold remediation services are often performed by a third party, rather than a mold inspector just as a precaution to ensure your mold inspector does not have a stake in the outcome of these mold detection tests.
Non-Invasive Mold Inspection
The purpose of the mold inspection is generally to visually assess only, which is non-invasive, and therefore should not cause property damage. Sometimes mold removal contractors use equipment to assist in mold detection such as infrared cameras and moisture detection devices. A mold inspection helps to determine if you have conditions favorable to mold growth because if you do, you may already have a mold problem or could develop one in the future without some form of intervention
Viable and Non-Viable Mold Detection Kits
You can detect mold using viable or non-viable mold samples, infrared cameras, or even mold detection dogs. These options will be discussed below.
There are several different types of mold tests. Remember, the goal of these tests are to determine what type of mold you have (Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Stachybotrys, etc), and the extent of the mold present which will give you some indication of the associated health risks.
An infrared camera works on the principle that an area with mold will be cooler in temperature, because of increased moisture, than an area without mold. Of course this is no guarantee for accurate mold detection if inadequate insulation is the issue.
Buying a Home?
Non-Viable Air Samples are one of the most common tests and is one of the best ways to figure out if there is a mold problem. It will indicate the quantity of mold spores present in the air. This is the type that home-buyers usually prefer because the results are quick and convenient.
Is Someone Sick?
If someone in your household is at high risk or already experiencing health problems that cannot be explained, it may be a good idea to have a viable mold test done.
A Viable Test will tell you the Species of Mold
A Surface, or viable mold test, is less common as it requires more expertise than a non-viable test, and may require being sent to a lab for interpretation of the results. However, a viable mold test is useful because it can help you figure out if a substance is really mold and what species of mold it is. It is particularly important when someone in your household is experiencing health issues which may be related to certain species of mold.
Different species of mold are attracted to different food sources. Having some background experience in microbiology and research methods can help prevent false positives if you are doing the tests yourself. Some viable mold tests are designed to test the air in your heating and air conditioning systems.
Mold Dogs
Mold Detection dogs: these dogs are specially trained to detect the scent of certain types of mold, even when the mold itself is not visible or hidden behind walls and floorboards.
Step 2: What to Do When You have a Mold Problem
How do you locate a mold removal company? Keywords like “Mold Remediation Services” and “your location” will help you find a remediation service in your area.
Because extensive mold removal can get expensive you should always check for reviews. The BBB can offer a glimpse into the history of companies that offer mold remediation services and you can find out how long they have been in business. Also, most reputable mold removal contractors will be able to provide references.
Moldiest Cities
There is an obvious correlation between humidity levels and mold, therefore the following cities may also be some of the moldiest. These U.S. cities have average humidity levels often exceeding 70 percent:
Birmingham, AL
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
New Orleans, LA
Jacksonville, FL
Miami, FL
Orlando, FL
Tampa, FL
Raleigh, NC
Rochester, NY
Cleveland, OH
Portland, OR
Nashville, TN
Houston, TX
Seattle, WA
Milwaukee, WI
If the mold is growing on something that can be cleaned with bleach and water, and you do not have asthma or other health problems, you can probably clean the mold yourself. If the area that is moldy is very large or you have health problems, you may want to hire a contractor to do the work for you. It can usually be detected by a musty odor, and discoloration of surfaces is common with mold growth. It may be found in shades of whites, greens, browns, blacks or oranges. If you see or smell mold, you have a problem. Reliable sampling for mold can be expensive since it requires special equipment and training. Testing is not generally recommended as a first step. Usually it is not necessary to determine what type of mold you have.
Consulting a professional about any mold issues is a good way to go. Self treatment with store bought or homemade remedies is best left as preventative care.
Some molds really can cause serious health problems and lung infections these are not to be taken lightly. If you suspect that you have been infected then you need to call a doctor and a mold removal specialist.
As an honest tip, we actually need mold experts even before we think we need them because though we may not see any molds, they do exist and experts can detect them well for earlier prevention.
Wow, I had no idea that mold could be such a big problem! I’ll definitely be sure to try finding a contractor to help me check my place for mold. I am putting my home up for sale, and I want to make sure that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. A mold removal contractor will be able to tell me if I have anything to worry about, right then and there, and then help me fix the problem right away too.
This is some really important information for anyone worried about mold in their home or property. I had no idea there were so many ways of detecting mold in your home, even using dogs to sniff it out, which is interesting. And I liked your point that the remediation often isn’t performed by the inspector, to limit bias. Thanks so much for writing!
The list of the moldiest cities was really informative, and I appreciated this article including that information. I also thought it was good advice to hire a mold removal service if the project is larger than 10 square feet. Do you have any advice on what to look for to make sure your mold removal service is legitimate?
I have had a home where mold has been a problem and this can be a very costly thing. I would recommend the use of professional services if you ever intend to sell this home too, since they can give you a certificate stating that the problem has been remedied. I am glad we did things the right way because I could walk away from our selling of our last home knowing the new owners were never cheated in any way. Thanks for the job you do and for sharing.
Mold is a real problem for people like me as I am allergic to mold. And I am aware of the fact that it keep on developing as we are exposed to it. Hence I always try to keep myself and my family away the illness and diseases caused by mold.
I loved the tips that you have mentioned in your post for finding a professional mold removal service.
Worth reading post.
One of the worst contaminants known is the silent but dangerous growth of mold. Mold can grow indoors on wet or damp surfaces, such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpets, insulation material, wood and drywall.
Indeed a nice post to have come across, you have done a nice job.
The whole process is to treat the previously affected area with a sealer to prevent new or reoccurring mold growth. The remediation company should spray an area greater than the affected area to ensure it is covered. If an attic or crawlspace is involved the whole area should be treated. This is a very significant step in the process.