What should I do if I think I have a mold problem?
The size of the area affected and the amount of mold you have growing in your property will determine your course of action. The only sure way to determine this is to have the property tested for abnormal mold conditions.
If, after testing, it has been determined that a large area (more than 10 square feet in any given area) is affected you should call in a professional mold remediator to remove it.
There are several steps you can take to address the elevated mold conditions in your property. Since mold will not grow without excess moisture, your first step is to determine where the mold is getting its moisture. A proper mold inspection will consist of using moisture meters and humidity detectors to determine where there are elevated moisture conditions. Do you have a hidden leak? Is there too much humidity in your property due to a malfunctioning air conditioner?
Once you determine the moisture source you must take steps to correct the problem. Next you will need to clean up the mold. If it is a small space (less than 10 square feet in any given area) you can clean it yourself using the proper equipment, cleaning solution, and method. Your mold inspector should provide the proper methodology to you.
Remember that you may have to remove and replace drywall, wall covering or carpet to fully address the problem. Mold will live and feed on gypsum board, upholstery, carpet pads, soap scum, and most any organic material.
If it is determined that a large area is affected, for your health and safety, you will need to contact a professional. On-Site Mold Analysis, Inc. gives all our customers a referral list to assist them in finding a qualified mold remediation company.
2 thoughts on “What should I do if I think I have a mold problem?”
May 31, 2014
I am familiar with your service, I think your are near Ft Lauderdale Florida.
I could not agree more with your advice on the process of dealing with mold issues.
First a competent inspector should be called in to find the cause of moisture that started the mold problem. Only after such determination had been made can the moisture cause be repaired so the mold is starved of moisture, thus preventing it’s otherwise unenviable return. Most people equate mold problems with common and well known types of moisture causes like leaks under sinks. Very often when our mold inspectors are called in the true source of moisture or humidity is unknown until our job is done and the mystery of moisture source is discovered.
Only after the cause is well understood and the moisture is stopped should mold removal start. Most jobs require professional licensed remediators. Even general contractor who are great builders can mess up mold removal quickly by cross contaminating an entire home and not drying out structures before rebuild so homeowners should stick with the services or a remediator.
September 16, 2018
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