1. Don’t try to kill the mold. Mold is tough and is still allergenic and potentially toxigenic when the mold is “dead.”Instead of trying to kill or treat the mold, you want to remove it. Plain soap and water is the best way to clean up the dust after you cut out effected drywall, rot, and sanded or wire-brushed wood framing.
2. Mold can be removed effectively the old fashioned way: hard work vs. spraying chemicals. That’s why mold remediation was traditionally so expensive. Today it seems a lot of mold remediators focus on spraying, frogging, and treating mold. Many do a poor, inadequate job of removing mold.
3. It does’t matter what kind of mold is present. “Black” mold is not the only type of “toxic” or harmful mold. Mold is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the potential allergens, irritants and bad stuff that might be growing in your home if you had water damage. Just get rid of it all. Don’t waste time and money doing a science experiment to study what kind of which kinds of mold and microbes might be present.
4. Stick to soap and water. If it sounds too good to be true it is. Product manufacturers and mold remediation companies are continuing trying to dream up the next big thing to kill and treat mold to make removing mold easier. Such products do not remove mold. The soap and water is to be used after you remove the bulk of the materials that have mold (drywall), and then sand or wire brush wood. Stick to plain soap and water for cleaning up the mess.
5. Beware of estimates that contain the following words: Kill, ozone, fog, seal, encapsulate, bleach, disinfect, sanitize.
6. Beware of estimates with any mention of using an antimicrobial or biocide. These do not remove mold and are known to cause new problems, including new types of fungal growth. Don’t be confused: the terms antimicrobial, biocide, disinfectant, sanitizer, and so forth are different names for the same agent. Removing this unnecessary step can save you 30% or more on the cost of a remediation project.
7. Don’t count of Guarantees. Read the fine print in a mold estimate. Most guarantees are limited and will do nothing to protect you against a mold remediator doing a poor job and expecting you to pay them anyhow. After a mold remediation company is finished, if there is still mold remaining, rather than honor the guarantee, a remediation company often does one of two things: comes back to spray more chemicals in hopes it kills the mold better. (Repeating a process that doesn’t work); and if that doesn’t work cites language such as, “You can never get rid of mold. Mold is everywhere.”
8. You need to be there. There’s the saying, “If you want it done right you need to do it yourself.” You at least need to be watching. Watch to make sure the containment is set up properly.
9. Ask the contractor to keep a log book. Don’t pay for consumables that were not used. These include respirator cartridges, HEPA filters, pre-filters, and line items that are consumables. The contractor should keep records of what was used, when, how much. It’s rare, however, to see them do this. You’re going to have to ask for it. It’s the only way you’re going to get a fair and accurate final bill vs. paying the full estimate.
10. Get an expert and independent opinion. If you’re having trouble understanding what works best to remove mold, or have an estimate for mold remediation and wonder if it’s going to work, contact us. We can answer questions and review any estimates you have for mold remediation. Can can review any mold test results you get from a mold inspector or laboratory. We can tell you what to do to ensure find and get rid of all the mold in your home. And probably save you some money compared to what you might spend without expert guidance.
