An infestation of mold is one of the most frustrating experiences many homeowners will ever face. Not only is the fungus potentially dangerous to your health, but it’s also incredibly difficult to remove once it’s taken root. This is where a mold remediation service can help return your home to normal. But before you bring somebody in to start the repairs, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision on the best and safest way to handle the outbreak. Here are the questions to ask your mold remediation company to ensure you receive the help you need.
Removal or Remediation?
The first question many people have when dealing with mold in their home is about the differences between mold removal and remediation. Often used interchangeably, there are several significant distinctions between the two that make them very different services. Here is more information on what each type of repair actually entails.
Mold Removal
Mold removal is the process of removing mold from the building. In certain situations, mold is only surface level and requires little-to-no follow-up. When this happens, a cleaning solution with bleach is one of the most efficient ways to sanitize and clean the area. Mold removal works best in contained areas where the fungus has yet to really take root and spread. Common places where mold often grows include kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, where the moisture in the air can stimulate mold growth.
Mold Remediation
The process for mold remediation is typically much more complicated than mold removal. When mold is disturbed, it can release fungal spores into the air. These spores cling to surfaces where the growth process can start again—they can even enter your lungs. Remediation is a process that’s much more involved than removal because its goal is to return the home or building back to the natural levels of spores in the air. Professional remediation is practically mandatory for large outbreaks once mold has already taken hold.
Who Are the People Doing the Work?
When considering companies for your remediation project, always ask about the experience and certifications of all the employees who’ll be doing the work. One reason for this is to ensure you can trust the people coming into your home. Vetting employees is vital for any company, especially a company that goes into people’s homes. You also need to know that the people performing the work know what they’re doing. Any reputable company will tell you about the training and certification program their employees must complete before being allowed to work.
What Molds Do You Test For?
There are thousands of different mold species identified by researchers, each with its own ideal growth conditions. A reputable mold remediation and removal expert can tell the differences between the everyday household molds, disease-spreading pathogenic molds, and the more dangerous toxic molds. There are 12 different mold species commonly found in homes. Being able to determine the specific strain will make removal and cleanup easier. After identifying the species, you can use that information to prevent future outbreaks from occurring. Once work is complete, the company should perform further tests to ensure they successfully eliminate all the spores.
How Do You Treat the Mold Contamination?
Another question to ask your mold remediation company before they begin their work is how they plan to treat the mold contamination. Because each situation is unique, the plan to rid your home of mold should never be a cookie-cutter answer. A reputable company will walk you through the process, explaining why certain services are necessary or the reason they recommend a specific course of action. For example, if the company’s plan does not address the cause of the mold, you should consider it a sign to look elsewhere for another, better company.
Steps To Keep Mold From Spreading
When discussing their plan of attack, the business should have a plan for combating the spread of mold spores throughout the rest of your home. Mold releases spores into the air when it’s disturbed, so taking steps to contain the spores is crucial to controlling and ending the onslaught. The company you hire should isolate the area before work begins to keep their work from affecting the rest of the home.
It’s also crucial for workers to wear personal protective equipment while on the job site. This gear helps protect them from potentially inhaling toxic mold spores and prevents the spores from spreading through the house once the workers remove their equipment after finishing the job. There are also special filters to put into your home’s HVAC unit to clear residual spores from the air.
What Areas of the Home Do They Check?
After the remediation is complete, it’s important for the mold remediation company to check the rest of the home for additional signs of mold. This can help prevent future outbreaks in connected rooms or those with a shared wall. Crawlspaces, attics, and unfinished basements are all prime locations for hidden outbreaks that homeowners won’t discover until it’s too late.
How Do They Get Mold Spores Out of the Air?
Another question the workers should answer is how they remove the fungal spores out of the air after the initial cleanup. Installing high-efficiency filters for the HVAC system naturally removes most of the spores from the air. There are special vacuums that catch spores trying to reattach themselves to surfaces around the home. Testing the air after completion is the best way to ensure mold can’t make an unexpected comeback.
How Do You Dispose of Materials After Completion?
The final question to have the company answer is how they dispose of infected materials after finishing the job. Never leave any of the debris in the home, or you run the risk of the mold returning. For items that need removal from the house, the remediation company should take special precautions to sanitize each one to avoid cross-contamination.
It’s important to remember that help is available to help you and your family recover from an infestation of mold. The team at Aloha Restoration has helped homeowners recover from fungal infections all over northeastern Illinois. For help with mold removal in Hoffman Estates or anywhere in the surrounding area, contact us today.
