Recent Requests
Mold growth detected in bedroom and connecting bathroom using settled air test with petri dish. Do you service my area?
Angi D
Built our home in 2004. Found ants coming from wall near tub, sprayed and opened wall and found black mold. Called builder who stated it was from grout in shower that has fallen out. Builder refusing to fix. Wife has been having trouble breathing, and have a 6 year old with a bad cough. I have drywall piece to replace hole in wall, just want to make sure mold is removed the right way. Please help!!
Brian P
New York
Choosing A Mold Removal Contractor
Selecting a mold removal contractor is not as easy as you think. For one thing, mold remediation contractors aren't bound by hard and fast certification rules, unlike other trades. What this means is that there aren't any certifications that are absolutely recognized by the industry, and as such you can take your mold remediation contractor's 4 page long list of certifications at face value. They don't mean much, because they are not the industry standard. This lack of industry guidelines for mold remediation companies has made it difficult to distinguish genuine experienced mold removal contractors from handymen. Use your best judgment, never underestimate experience, and make sure your mild removal company has experience removing mold from the area of the house that you want it to be removed from.
Although there aren't any certificates for mold remediation companies that are recognized by the industry, you might want to look for certification and training from the Air Duct Cleaner's Association or the indoor Air Quality Association. However, these are not hard and fast rules, and if your contractor does not posses these qualifications, it's no reason to reject him outright. More important than certification is experience in the kind of mold removal that you need. If the mold growth in your house is confined to the kitchen, bathrooms or basement, then you can conclude that moisture is the culprit. Your mold removal specialist in this case should have experience getting rid of mold from damp areas. If on the other hand, your mold growth is confined to your HVAC systems, then you need a mold remediation contractor who has experience in such specialized mechanical hygiene methods.
Before you hire a mold remediation contractor, make sure you're aware of who will be on the field for the actual remediation. In many cases, a busy mold remediation firm may send its employees to different locations to work on remediation projects. You should know that the workers who will be removing mold at your residence are going to be overseen by capable and senior employees of the firm. Ask if the workers on the site will have experience in mold remediation, and be aware of who your point of contact in the whole process is going to be. Make sure all workers are aware of all environmental regulations that govern mold abatement procedures. Your mold removal contractor should be insured sufficiently, and should have coverage for liability. This decreases the amount of risk you carry.