Things to Know Before Hiring Mold Removal Company
Do you know the hidden areas of your home are most probably infected with mold? Yes, not only the hidden areas but even the newly-built properties are not safe from mold. Typically hidden inside the walls, behind tiles, under suspended ceilings, and other out of sight places, the mold is one of the most common problems. Unfortunately, mold growth usually goes unnoticed in many homes, which can potentially devastate a place, as well as your health.
The early detection of the problem is difficult because black mold signs are often difficult to notice until it is too late. Only when the fungus spreads to a large area in your property causes more damage, the problem goes undetected. Mold removal can be a daunting task and requires hiring the right mold removal professional to guide you through the process while charging a reasonable price. However, to prevent mold from wreaking havoc in your home, first, you need to know how to recognize the first signs of mold.
Understand the signs of Mold
The mold consists of multi-cellular fungal filaments which thrive in a humid environment. Mold spreads quickly because its spores are very light and can easily be carried through the airflow. Typically, they start growing inside ducts or behind tiles, wallpaper, or paneling. Unfortunately, this means you will not have a visual clue of their growth in the beginning. To identify the problem, check your walls for warping or crumbling plaster, peeling paint, and new cracks in your tiles. These are the indication that you immediately need a mold test.
Mold can cause biodegradation of various materials and can result in property damage. Even a small leak or a place with higher moisture in your home is enough for the rapid development of mold and mildew. To prevent your house from mold, it is crucial to eliminate the source of moisture where mold is likely to flourish. Thus, before it’s too late and your entire home gets infected with mold, hire a professional for help. Since mold remediation is a difficult process, you need to consider a few things to find the right pro to get your job done right.
1. Industry Training, License, and Insurance:
Verify the license of the mold removal company to ensure that they comply with the rules and regulations set by the state for the mold inspection and removal industry. To obtain a license, mold inspectors and mold removal technicians require proper training, skills, knowledge, and certifications. In addition to this, verify the company’s insurance which must include liability and workers comp.
2. Test for mold:
A pre-testing is not always required. For example, if mold growth is visible in your house, then there is absolutely no need to conduct pre-air quality testing for mold. Instead, the pre-testing method is for those who want to negotiate the price when buying a house with some mold.
3. Ask their Mold Remediation Process:
To choose the best company, get to know their mold remediation process. Ideally, the mold removal contractor should undertake 3 core steps for safe and effective mold remediation. First, they must identify the moisture source of the mold to fix the root cause. Now, it’s time to set up proper containment to isolate the problem areas and prevent cross-contamination. Finally, safe and effective mold remediation is incomplete without proper disposal.
4. Post-Removal Verification Testing
After the mold remediation company has identified all potential moisture sources and performed proper mold remediation, it’s time for testing. The mold remediation companies perform air-quality testing after mold removal and cleanup. The sample for testing must be sent to a reliable laboratory. This will ensure that the job was done right and the property is safe.