Cleaning by a mold professional…

When Should I Call a Mold Professional?

When mold is present in your home, it is natural to want to try to take care of it–or remediate the problem yourself.  The professionals at HealthyAir have witnessed many a homeowner who thought they would save money, try to remediate a mold problem on their own.  Eventually, they discover that it is not always as easy as they thought.  Here are some questions to keep in mind when struggling with the question–when do I call a mold specialist?

• How big is the mold problem?

  Can you determine the size of the mold infestation in your home? That is a big question for most homeowners. Sometimes you might think it is just in the bathroom for example. When in reality it starts in the attic and there are visible mold signs throughout the house.  Be careful when trying to estimate the size of your mold problem.  What you think is in one place is probably in other places in the house.  Our technicans use state-of-the art technology to determine the extent of mold exposure.  They have years of experience in the mold remediation business and can sometimes (literally) smell it when they walk into a house! HealthyAir uses progressive mold detection technologies and advanced clean up methods to remediate mold infestation in homes.

• Where is it located? Do you know if it is concentrated in one area or is it throughout the house?

  This is a really important question. As stated above, you might think it is only in one place when in fact it is in several other places. If the mold spores have gone airborne, or if it has affected your home structurally, then the actual amount of mold in your home can only be determined by a professional–and it could be substantial.

• Is it affecting the health of you and your family?

  Most people do not react to mold well. Take a look at some of our case studies and you’ll find good illustrations of the effect mold has on some people.  If you are having adverse or severe reactions to mold in your home, your best choice would be to call a professional who can remediate the problem promptly.

Even if you decide you need to call a mold professional, here are a few tips to educate yourself and prevent mold from reoccurring in your home.

1. Take time to learn about mold and how it can affect you, your family and your home. The best defense is knowledge about the problem.  Learn as much as you can about the area you live in, whether it is prone to mold infestation and where in a structure it tends to hide. Teach yourself about the kinds of mold in your area, what types of mold tests are used by homeowners and how different tests are used by professionals. HealthyAir has some excellent articles on this website to help you learn about mold.
2. Take care of any standing water and repair the leaks in your home. It’s a good bet that if you keep moisture to a minimum in your home, you’ll have less chance of mold resurfacing.
3. Make sure the drainage system for your house is in good working order. HealthyAir advocates good drainage (sloped grading, fully functioning gutter systems, etc.) outside the house to prevent any mold problems inside the house.
4. Watch areas that are prone to mold formation–attics, crawl spaces, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc. Make sure they are clean and dry.
5. Monitor family members for any sign of a reaction to mold. If you or your family member is exhibiting symptoms of a mold allergy, your mold problem may have reoccured.

The decision to hire a mold professional is not an easy one.  But with a little knowledge and some careful monitoring of your home, you’ll be able to make the right decision and determine which option is best for you and your family.