Mold can be scary-don't Panic

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

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What to do when you suspect Mold?

Mold is scary.

Mold can do a lot of damage in a very little area.

Don’t let it scare you too much. Know what to do and how to keep your family safe. Mold can make you and your family ill, it looks gross, it can weaken structure and disrupt the sale of a home.

If you think you may have mold, what do you do? Where do you start? Who do you call (if you need to)?

Start with testing. Start with know what you have, where you have it and educate yourself on what to do. No homeowner wants to hear that they have to test for mold. These tests can get expensive and we all hear the worst-case scenarios. If it turns out mold has developed-first you need to find the reason. Do you have a slow leak? Was it a large spill that just wasn’t cleaned up correctly? Is there a lack of venting in an area that needs more?

Mold removal. Makes your home look like a hazmat scene and can turn everything upside down. Typically, to clean mold you have to go down to the basics-that could be gutting a room…. or two…. or more-Ouch!

However-If taken care of early, cost could be very minimal. If you suspect an issue, it would be worth it to hire an inspection company. Keep in mind-It can get to the several hundred-dollar range. If you want to start small-you could buy a home mold testing kit ($10-50$)-but let the buyer beware, these kits have a reputation for being unreliable. This could be a soft start.

When you confirm that you do have mold, don’t panic. This may or may not be a major problem. Assess the situation and seek the advice of professionals. Smaller areas and issues, you may be able to do the work yourself. Always seek consultation of a professional before you attempt it all yourself.  Be sure to research how to properly take care of your mold issue.  

Avoid Scams. Just like any home cleaning, repair, etc- situations-there are those there to take advantage of the situations. Having different professionals and checking references/reviews will help get you on the right track. This can also help you to watch for price gouging. Price gouging happens more than anyone really realizes. An accurate Mold estimate can be difficult because there are so many variables, but having 2 or more can help give you an idea of where you should be. Make sure the company is licensed for these services as well.

The largest way to prevent a major issue is to stay aware. Check your pipes, check your vents, make sure things like your washing machine, dishwasher, tub/shower, etc. are draining correctly. Be on top of certain things around your home: Caulk around fixtures, clean your gutters, Caulk around your windows, Take care of roof leaks, check basements/crawlspaces/attics.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Mold can be fixed. Take care in taking care of your home!