Toxic Mold Remediation Company Tricks to Avoid
If you have actually experienced a flood or other type of water related damage, you might find yourself worried about the possibility of mold growth and the health dangers connected with it. Although there are credible business that concentrate on mold cleaning and remediation, there are also those that use the worry of toxic mold contamination as a way to perpetrate rip-offs. These kinds of rip-offs typically cost 10s of countless dollars and sometimes, individuals have in fact lost their houses as a result. Here are some common signs of a possible mold removal fraud and suggestions on how to prevent them.
1) They provide you complimentary mold screening
Trustworthy mold remediation business charge for their services and utilize independent testing labs or a licensed commercial hygienist (CIH) to perform air and/or surface testing for mold. Anybody in the mold remediation service that provides to perform mold inspections free of charge, may be using this chance to fabricate incorrect test results that program alarmingly raised mold spore counts or the existence of hazardous black mold such as Stachybotrys. The fear of hazardous mold contamination is the most common tactic scam artist use to develop extremely pricey mold remediation jobs.
2) The same business provides to do the mold testing and removal
This is another tactic that gives unscrupulous mold removal companies an incentive to discover mold. Mold testing and assessments must constantly be carried out by independent labs or hygienist’s that have no individual or monetary interest in the results.
3) They provide a final air quality clearance free of charge
Remember, the health and welfare of you and your household is on the line, so be sure to have an independent screening lab or CIH carry out the final clearance which it passes, before you spend for removal work.
The final action in the mold elimination procedure is a post-remediation survey known as a last air quality clearance test. Check the mold inspection Tampa service. If you permit a remediation company to evaluate their own work, you will have no method to tell if the work was done effectively or if the test results are factual. An unethical removal company will not fail their own tests and they definitely will not want to incur the expenses to re-clean your house if their clearance test fails.
Do-it-yourself Mold Remediation: 3 Steps For Your House Clean-up
Mold is undesirable in the home. It darkens the corners of the bathroom, stains the walls, grows in between tiles. It’s a very unpleasant sight which feeds and rots damp wood. Mold can accumulate and can be hard to remove over time. Aside from it being a disgusting sight, different types of mold also cause respiratory diseases and is generally bad for our health. Mold releases spores that can cause allergic reactions. These allergens may be invisible to the eye but can cause serious health problems. Hiring a professional may be costly, that’s why it’s important to know these Do-It-Yourself Mold Remediation steps so you can perform the cleaning by yourself in your own home.
Get the right cleaning products
A DIY mold remediation product that mold specialists usually recommend is borax – a white powder which you can purchase from the grocery, at the detergent or laundry section. To clean mold using borax, mix the powder in one gallon of hot water. Apply the solution on the surface affected by mold and scrub the area with a rug or brush until the mold disappears. There’s no need to rinse it off because borax will keep the mold from coming back. However, do not use this cleaner on porous surfaces like drywall. Such materials absorb water easily. This could aggravate the problem because as you know – mold loves moist environments. Some other safe yet effective products you can use to kill mold are baking soda, vinegar, Tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent. If you’re using vinegar, simply put it in a spray bottle. No need to add water. Spray the vinegar on the surface and leave it for an hour.
Wear the right clothing
Make sure you are properly geared before you start with your DIY mold cleanup. Wear gloves, goggles, and loose clothing especially if you’re using a chemical. After cleaning the mold, dispose of your clothing and gears or thoroughly wash them. Mold spores can easily spread within your house as they travel through the air. When it comes to black mold removal, it is better to ask professionals to do it. Black mold is a dangerous type of mold and can have a hazardous effect on your health.
Dry the surface
The last and most important part of how to remove mold is drying the surface. Take note that moisture is the main cause of mold build-up. These fungi love the humid, damp environment. Since you will be cleaning mold with water, the surface will be wet for a period of time. Aim to speed up the drying process by ventilating the area. Open doors and windows if possible and run a dehumidifier. You can also use air movers to quickly dry the surface.
How to Eliminate Moisture
Mold and mildew grow best on porous surfaces because porous surfaces have the ability to hold moisture for long periods of time. In order to effectively remove moisture from a porous surface, you will need to use a concentrated approach, since towels and cloths will not do the trick. For damp surfaces, turn on a dehumidifier, which draws out the moisture. For extremely wet carpets, use a wet/dry vacuum, which you can rent at some home improvement stores. For movable surfaces such as clothes and furniture, use sunlight outdoors. For other surfaces, try using a space heater or hair dryer.
Here are 3 household solutions for cleaning mold:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial solution that kills mold effectively on a variety of materials such as kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, floors and walls.
To kill mold: Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Saturate the moldy surface completely and leave it to sit for 10 minutes.
Next, scrub the area to remove all of the mold and mold stains. And finally, wipe the surface down to remove residual mold and spores.
- VinegarVinegar is a mild acid which can kill 82% of mold species. (Baking soda is often used along with vinegar for killing different species of mold).
To kill mold: Use white distilled vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle without watering it down. Spray the vinegar onto the moldy surface and leave it to sit for an hour. Finally, wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell from the vinegar should clear within a few hours.
- Baking SodaBaking soda is a mild, white mineral powder, that can be used to kill mold in your home, plus it is safe for your family and pets. Besides killing mold, it will absorb moisture to help keep mold away.
To kill mold: Add one quarter of a tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle of water and shake until it has dissolved. Spray the moldy area with the baking soda and water solution, then use a scrub brush to remove all the mold from the surface. Next, rinse the surface with water to remove any residual mold on the surface.
Finally, spray the area again and let the surface dry. (This will kill any left-over mold and prevent the mold from returning).
Can You Sell A House As-Is With Mold?
You can sell a house as-is with mold, however you must disclose. When in doubt, just disclose! Make sure you do so in writing. This will help relieve you of potential liabilities, however if you’re in doubt make sure to contact a professional. When selling a house with mold as-is, the most likely buyer will be a cash buyer. Lenders typically will not lend on houses with mold.
Spotting Mold
If you see black spots developing on a wall in a poorly ventilated room, for example, you are probably noticing the beginning stages of a mold problem.
Mold is all around you, generally in airborne spores searching for an ideal place to land and develop. In small amounts it is not a problem, but when it finds a moist place in your home and you fail to notice it, it can quickly develop into a serious problem.
Lower Price
Undoubtedly, a buyer will lower their price, often substantially, if mold was discovered. Most of the time, buyers just revoke their offer.