Tips for Finding the Best Mold Remover Company
Regardless of whether you live in an apartment building, a suburb, a mansion, a boathouse, or any other conceivable residence, you run the risk of having mold. It is not a pleasant thought, but it is a stark reality. Mold develops when conditions are just right, damp, warm, etc. and every building can potentially develop a mold problem at any time. When this happens, it can be difficult to know how to handle the situation. Should you simply clean it, buy special products, or call a professional? Unless the problem is incredibly minimal, the answer is almost always to call a professional. Now the question is, how do you find a mold removal company? Because it can be difficult to find a great mold remediation company, many people simply choose one at random. Thankfully, there are ways to better choose a company that will be the best choice for you and your situation. This is exactly what you will find here, a list of tips and advice to help make a better, more informed decision.
When you discover a mold problem, it is always recommended to call in a professional; however, the first thing you need to do is attempt to determine if there is an underlying cause. Mold grows and flourishes in very moist conditions, therefore a mold problem may be caused by a leaky roof or water pipe leak. If this is the case, this will need to be addressed every bit as much as the mold itself. If the underlying problem is not dealt with, the mold will come back. If the problem is a leaky roof, look into repairing or replacing the roof. If the problem is a burst or leaking pipe, call in a plumber as soon as possible
Tips on Mold Removal, Testing, Prevention and All Other Things Mold!
Speaking of our health, so called “Black Mold” typically refers to molds that can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), such as groups of molds known as Stachybotrys. Mycotoxins will not always be produced when these types of mold are present. To put it another way, the presence of mold does not necessarily mean mycotoxins are present. The conditions needed for mycotoxins to be produced are not fully understood. Further, mycotoxins can be produced by other types of molds besides Stachybotrys and these molds are not always black. But all visible molds, regardless of color, should be removed. (We discuss removal tips in the next section, “Mold Remediation and Mold Removal.”)
Mold is a natural organism that serves many useful purposes in daily life. It breaks down dead organic matter, helps make certain cheeses and antibiotics like Penicillin. Mold only becomes a problem when it is found in elevated levels. Then, mold removal and remediation should be performed.
Molds reproduce by releasing microscopic airborne spores that find their way to a habitable surface. Molds can grow on almost anything, including most building materials such as drywall, insulation, wood, etc. If enough water is present on these surfaces, the mold grows into active colonies and releases spores into the air.
While mold grows most easily on porous organic surfaces such as drywall and unfinished wood, it can also grow on inorganic surfaces such as metal, plastics and glass when organic nutrients such as dust and debris are along with moisture.
You can be exposed to mold by breathing in mold spores or touching and/or ingesting moldy items. And under ideal conditions, active visible mold colonies can grow in as little as one or two days.
How to Choose the Best Mold Remediation Company for Your Home
Licensed and Insured
There is simply no excuse for a mold removal company not to have the appropriate licenses and insurance for your area. Ask for this documentation right up front, and if it is not provided, move on to another option. You shouldn’t accept any kind of excuse for the lack of these items, as any reputable company will have them in place. There are too many good companies available to take your chances on one that is not licensed and insured.
Collect at Least Three Quotes
While you do want to have this work completed quickly, you don’t want to rush into the job so fast that you hire the first company to come along. Make it a goal to ask for quotes from at least three different remediation companies. Most contractors will be happy to provide you with a free written estimate for their services. You don’t necessarily want to go with the lowest quote every time, but price is obviously a factor which will be taken into consideration, as well as the timeline which is offered.
Ask for References
As a last step before you make your choice, ask all contractors you are considering for references from past customers. Any good contracting company will have at least a few references which you can check on to make sure they live up to their promises. Don’t just ask for the references and then let them sit on your desk – actually make a few phone calls to gather opinions. Also, you can check reviews which have been left on the web to get an idea about the reputation of each remediation company in the running.
HOW TO FIND THE BEST MOLD REMEDIATION COMPANY
Experience Is Crucial
The mold remediation process is tricky, which means you need to work with a company that has years of industry experience. This ensures they have the equipment and know-how to remove mold effectively.
Check for Industry Certifications and Licenses
It’s important the mold remediation specialists you work with hold licenses and certifications. This means they’ve gone through the proper training and are highly educated.
Ask About Insurance
In addition to holding certifications, the company you work with should also carry insurance. This protects you if any damage occurs during the mold remediation process.
Read Customer Reviews
It’s now commonplace for consumers to check online reviews before buying products or hiring a company. This is a great way to get a firsthand account of the type of work a business does.
Ask for References
When trying to find the best company for your needs, there’s nothing wrong with asking for references. Any reputable business won’t mind providing you with some.
Mold Remediation: How to Remove Mold
How to Get Rid of Mold Overview
Mold is a major-league nuisance. It blackens the grout lines in your shower, discolors drywall, shows up as black spots on siding, darkens decks, and grows on and rots damp wood everywhere. Even worse, it can be bad for your health. Mold releases microscopic spores that cause allergic reactions, runny noses and sneezing, as well as irritating, even injurious, odors. We’ll cover how to remove mold, how to get rid of black mold, how to kill mold on wood and what kills mold in a few steps.
How to identify mold
Mold is everywhere. It’s a type of fungus that grows from tiny spores that float in the air. It can grow almost anywhere that spores land and find moisture and a comfortable temperature, between 40 and 100 degrees F. Typically that includes about every damp place in your home.
Removing large infestations requires precautions—and work!
You can scrub away the surface mold common to bathrooms, decks and siding in a matter of minutes with a 1-to-8 bleach/water mold cleaner solution as one way on how to remove mold. But often mold grows and spreads in places you don’t notice, until you spot surface staining, feel mushy drywall or detect that musty smell.
Cleanup and repair
Complete the initial cleanup by vacuuming up the debris. Thoroughly clean the wet/dry vac afterward by disposing of the filter and washing out the tank, hose and attachments with the bleach-and-water solution.
