According to the CDC, mold is one of the most common household problems American homeowners face, although it is hard to pinpoint how many households currently contain mold.
The most important thing to know is that if you do discover mold in your home, mold damage restoration is in order. If mold goes untreated, it will continue to spread, potentially leading to structural damage and health issues.
That being said, mold damage restoration is not a DIY project. In order to fully eradicate mold from your home, you will need to hire professionals.
Read on to learn more about exactly what you should expect from the mold damage restoration process.
Why Does Mold Need to Be Eradicated?
Mold isn’t just an unsightly growth. It’s also dangerous to your health and to your home. Let’s take a look at how mold can affect both.
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Mold and Health Risks
Certain kinds of mold can increase health risks for both people and pets. This is especially true for any individual who already struggles with respiratory problems like allergies or asthma.
Mold spores can get into the lungs and make breathing more labored and in some cases, it can cause long-lasting or even permanent damage.
Mold and Structural Damage
When mold spores get into your air ducts, walls, and insulation, they can cause serious and costly damage.
Most components of your home that can be affected by mold are cheaper to replace than to restore, and in many cases, replacement isn’t expensive.
However, the more quickly you tackle mold, the less it will spread, and the less you’ll need to replace the structural components of your home.
If mold festers for too long, you may begin to see fungal growth. Fungi is the biggest concern when it comes to your home’s structural integrity, as it can actually eat away at wood, grout, and even your foundation.
Should You Test for Mold?
Generally speaking, it’s not necessary to test for mold. If you can see it, then the tests aren’t going to reveal information that you really need to know.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what kind of mold you’re dealing with. No matter what, it needs to be removed from your home, and a mold test is only going to cost money that you don’t need to spend.
What to Expect from Mold Damage Restoration Process
Mold restoration is not a task that should be taken lightly. The proper safety and cleaning equipment must be used, which is why it is imperative that you hire a professional.
Quality mold removal professionals will begin by closing off the affected area, often with plastic tarps that will help contain mold spores.
They will wear high filtration face masks to protect their own respiratory systems when exposing and eradicating mold. They may also wear full protective gear if working with chemicals.
HEPA Equipment
Mold eradication equipment should be HEPA-certified. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air and HEPA filters are the only filters designed to capture microscopic mold spores, which means that regular filtration systems will not do the trick.
HEPA-certified equipment often includes HEPA air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums. This equipment will help remove mold spores from the area while replacing affected air with purified air.
In addition, they will likely use commercial-strength dehumidifiers to help address the moisture issue that may have led to the mold problem in the first place.
Dealing with Moldy Building Materials
As we mentioned earlier, most moldy building materials are cheaper to replace than to restore. Professionals will remove these materials completely.
Areas that can be restored are treated with harsh antimicrobial chemicals that will kill mold spores and prevent them from spreading.
Once this process is complete, mold damage restoration professionals should use some kind of sealant to prevent further water damage in high-moisture areas.
These sealants often include ingredients designed for odor control.
Will You Have to Leave the House?
It is advisable that all people, children, and pets clear the premises during mold damage restoration.
How long you have to leave will depend on the extent of the damage and the area affected.
Before restoration begins, make sure that you discuss this with your contractors and determine whether or not you should make arrangements for the next few days.
How to Deal with Homeowner’s Insurance
Mold damage restoration is not inexpensive. Ideally, you will want to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance policy to have this damage covered.
The problem is that mold damage is only covered under certain circumstances.
For example, if mold grew because of a condition you knowingly created, they would argue that it was your own negligence that caused the damage.
However, if mold grew because a pipe burst in your home and saturated your drywall with water, they should cover the damage.
The trouble is that because mold damage walks such a fine line with most insurance companies, it’s not always easy to successfully file a claim.
If you know that you deserve coverage from your homeowner’s insurance but the insurance company isn’t compliant, you will need to look into property damage claims.
Reclaim Your Space from Mold Damage
Mold is no laughing matter and shouldn’t be tackled DIY-style. If you discover mold in your home, seek professional mold damage restoration.
While this will certainly cost more than DIY methods, it is also the only guaranteed way to ensure your safety and the structural integrity of your home.
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