Basics of Mold Remediation and How to Avoid Scams

Mold remediation is intended to keep residents and homeowners safe by identifying significant mold growth and eradicating it. Mold removal and remediation is now often a part of buying or selling a home—but there are some people who use this as an opportunity to scam people.

Let’s take a look at what mold remediation involves and how to avoid dishonest operators.

How mold growth occurs in a home

If you live in an area where there’s often moisture in the air, the chances of mold growth occurring in the home are much higher. Even homes in areas that are generally dry can be susceptible to mold growth if there’s a leak that isn’t addressed.

One common form of mold is found in between ceramic tiles. A very simple form of mold remediation is spraying down those tiles with a cleaner and wiping it off—the mold is removed quickly and easily. Mold often grows in the bathroom as well, such as in the bathtub where there’s frequently high levels of moisture and steam.

When mold growth becomes a problem

The above examples are simple, easy-to-remove mold issues, but sometimes mold grows and spreads quickly in places that are less accessible. Any home that has moisture entering is liable to have significant mold growth. Common areas for mold growth to become a problem include:

• Wall interiors
• Basements
• Crawl spaces
• Attics
• Furnaces
• Around air vents
• Ducts
• Kitchens
• Under sinks
• Near chimneys

It’s important to remember that not all mold is toxic or poisonous. Toxigenic molds can lead to severe health conditions like memory loss and pulmonary hemorrhage—but this only happens in rare circumstances.

The process of mold removal and remediation

If the area of mold is small (i.e., less than 10 square feet), then the homeowner can go about removing it. Larger areas will require a professional mold specialist to take care of remediation.

Bleach is not recommended to use for mold removal. Instead, if you’re doing mold remediation yourself, you should use a specialized product like MOLDSTAT. To clean mold, you’ll need to do the following:

• Use proper ventilation via an air filtration device like air scrubbers
• Clean and disinfect the affected area
• Address where the moisture or humidity is entering the home
• Encapsulate the mold by methods such as painting or caulking

Avoiding mold remediation scams

The process of mold removal can provide significant benefits such as protecting your family’s cardiovascular health, but there are people out there who take advantage of homeowners. That’s why you should only hire licensed, experienced professionals who routinely deal with mold issues. Don’t trust companies that use scare tactics, charge outrageous prices or have an excess of negative feedback.

Do you need mold removal experts? Then call the pros at Ahold of Mold Environmental. We’ve earned a reputation as a leader in the field over more than two decades in business. We’re certified air-quality consultants who provide excellent service to all our customers. Call right now to learn more and request a free estimate.

Categorised in: Mold Prevention