How to Hire a Mold Remediation Contractor

If you're reading this article, you know you have a mold problem that needs to be fixed. First thing, go to the website of the Indoor Air Quality Association. Their own website address will be at the end of this article. Look up on their list of Certified Mold Remediation Contractors and find one in your area. Look up the names of three of them and call them to get a bid. Remember, the lowest price is not constantly the best price for the job. Ask for references of satisfied clients.

Next, when you meet with them, ask questions. For those who have any questions that you need answered, feel free to call Safe Homes Environmental Consultants to help you out. The number is at the bottom from this article. When it comes to contractors, you always want to get the best service at the best price, but sometimes it's difficult to learn what questions to ask.

Hiring a certified remediation contractor is not required but when it comes time to sell your home, you will be required by law to disclose any mold incidences in your home including floods. If the work was done by a licensed skilled Remediator, they should require a mold clearance test for the area. This gives your buyer proof that the work was executed by a competent licensed remediator.

If you decide to hire one, it is generally safer and more effective than a "do-it-yourself" approach as they use special equipment. In either case, always follow safety precautions to reduce exposure to mold by using protective clothing, a respirator, and eye protection. I have seen lots of "Handyman Disasters of Mold Remediation" that go wrong and contaminate the complete house. Remember to always protect the rest of the house from contamination with the proper containment.

The latest disaster happened in Reefs Gables, Fl. The homeowner called us because she was concerned about how the Handyman was doing the job. We informed her to have him stop immediately and we would evaluate what was done. When we arrived on the job site, the wall has been closed with new drywall ready to tape and seal. You could see water stains on the floor. The homeowner imagined us to look at the inside of the wall, so he took the drywall down. Guess what, the wall was set with mold with rotted wood everywhere. Apparently, this water leak was going on for a long time. A licensed Certified Elite Moisture Solutions would not have done this type of work.

I have seen lots of stuff on the Internet regarding what and what not should be needed by the remediator. Just reading half of the posts shows me that these individuals have never done any form remediation work. A remediation job can be very complicated or simple. The New York City Guidelines for Mold Remediation will be helpful. A protocol can be written by a Certified Microbial Consultant but can be expensive due to time and costs to do a correct inspection.

The last job we did was a simple A/C water overflow job. Very little visible mold, minimum mineral water stains on drywall, the mold was approximately 1 square foot. Sounds simple, doesn't it. Well, when we got into the job, this simple job starting expanding. Apparently, this A/C had been leaking off and on for a long time. The effort expanded to include the adjoining bathroom. After we opened up the wall, you could see where the water had work under the adjoining wall into the Guest Bathroom.

The homeowner was not happy, a simple job can get real expensive as soon as you add in a granite topped 10 foot Bathroom Cabinet. Had the homeowner hired a Handyman to do the effort, they would have left the rest of the damage still hidden. Remember, always remove two additional feet on each side in the damaged area till it is clean. The sad part is that the Insurance Company denied the claim due to fail to maintain their A/C properly.

The positive outcome of that job was, the daughter no longer suffered from Allergies within the house. The little girl had been suffering since the family moved into the house two years prior. The mother took the little person from Doctor to Doctor with no help. They told her she would outgrow her Asthma.

In conclusion, mold removal may be simple or complicated. Trying to save money using Handyman Services is not the answer. They are not trained and certified Mould Remediators. Always check with the Indoor Air Quality Association for a Certified Mold Remediator before hiring a contractor to remove that mold. Ask to see their credentials and check with the provider of the credentials to see if they are up to date on the education requirements.