For such a simple word, mold can strike fear into any homeowner’s heart. It has the potential to cause disastrous problems ranging from home valuation effect to health problems. So, what do you do when you find mold in your home?
Well, the process of mold removal is simple when you work with the experts. We have broken it down here for you to make the simple word seem less scary.
Facts First
Before learning about mold removal, let us talk facts. Here are five essential facts to know about mold:
- It grows quickly and spread in just 24 to 48 hours in warm, wet conditions
- Mold damage is expensive and can cause issues up to $10,000
- It is undetectable because it breeds under floors, behind walls, or deep in cabinets – often undetectable by sight or smell
- It can cause health issues like joint pain, body aches, nausea, and sometimes respiratory issues that all develop quickly or over time
- Some people are at a higher risk of becoming sick from mold, including the elderly and the immunocompromised
Test the Home
The first task when you suspect mold in the home is to have your home tested by an expert. There are several types of mold with varying degrees of severity – so a test will give you a clear picture of what you are dealing with and how bad it is. Plus, a home inspection will find all of the tricky growth, not just the area you discovered.
Find the Cause
In order to avoid repeating this scare, you need to find the cause. It might be a leak in the roof, cracked pipe, or humidity level in your home. No matter what the issue is, you will need to address the cause in order to avoid a return of the issue later on.
Talk to Insurance
Some homeowners’ insurance coverage includes mold removal. If it is covered, make sure to contact them to sort out the details. Sometime coverage will depend on the cause, so that makes finding the root of the issue even more essential. These services can get quite costly, so use the resources you have to mitigate costs.
Make a Decision
After receiving test results, talking with insurance, and finding the cause, you will then have to decide how to remove it. If you are tackling a large mold issue, you should use a professional to ensure it is thoroughly handled. If it is smaller, there are several ways you can remove it yourself.
Know the Steps
If you decide to remove mold yourself, make sure to do the research in order to get it done correctly. Mold remediation is quite complex, so you will need supplies like fungicide, gloves, masks, heavy plastic bags, and scrubbing materials. You will need to seal off the area you are working in with plastic sheeting to prevent it from spreading to other areas. With the protective gear on, you will apply fungicide and scrub and scrape the substance away. Be careful not to breathe any spores in during the process.
Research Companies
If you decide to bring in a professional remediation company, shop around and get estimates. You will want to invest in a company whose services promise to be thorough and safe. Consult the Health Department or Better Business Bureau to learn about company reputation and ask for references. This research process will help you choose a company that will do a complete job and protect your home.
Test Again
Once removal is done, the home should be tested again. While it will be impossible to remove every spore, an air-test will let you know if it is at a permissible level. You don’t want any more spores in the home than can be found outside.
After this lengthy and trying process, make sure to learn about mold prevention. This four-lettered word can lead to quite a big headache, so do not make the same mistake twice.
