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Tag: "Mold Remediation"

Black Mold Is Dangerous Stuff

[ 0 ] April 19, 2010

Black mold is one of the most deadliest molds known to man. Also referred to as Stachybotrys, this toxic mold can be found growing on carpets, baseboards, drywall, ceilings or anywhere there is even the slightest amount of moisture. It can be found in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, in attics, under crawlspaces and even away from the home.

But, because this fungus is extremely toxic, anyone who comes into contact with its spores by either touch or inhaling can develop cold or flu-like symptoms, fatigue, headaches, earaches, hair loss, joint pain, memory loss, bleeding of the lungs and in some rare cases, death. No one is immune, and the toxic fungi is particularly dangerous to those who have weak immune systems like with the elderly and infants.

That’s why it’s extremely important that anyone who comes in contact with this particular fungus apply a mold removal treatment to the affected area immediately. This can be done  by either the homeowner if done with extreme caution and the growth is under 10 square feet or by hiring a professional who can assist the homeowner in removing these particular types of mold.

And while it may seem economical to try and save some money when it comes to the cost of mold remediation, you should never hire anyone that isn’t certified and licensed for inspecting mold.

Once you’ve found the right professional for the job, you should expect the inspection to take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the extent of the mold and the damage they’ve caused.

Depending on the company you hire, the inspection may consist of inspecting for various types of mold including water damage mold, testing for the different molds, testing for any moisture problems, testing for allergy problems such as pollen, pet dander and dust mites, and testing for the quality of air that is in your home.

One of the most common tests that the inspector may do is a swab test that is swiped across a growing mold and then sent to a lab for analysis. The testing may occur in crawlspaces, hidden areas, the attic, bathroom, basement, kitchen or anywhere there is a moisture problem.

The inspection may even consist of analyzing the areas outside of your home that may be showing signs of mold growth using moisture meter testing, thermal imagine, and humidity testing. These tests are done to identify the nature of the molds and to show the homeowner what steps are necessary in order to begin the mold clean up process, if there are toxic molds involved.

However, even when the mold is not toxic, removing the mold is still very important since spores from other less dangerous molds can still lead to serious allergy problems, sinus infections and so forth.

No mold is safe, no matter how you  look at it and a black mold is just asking for serious trouble no matter how little or much of it you have in your home. Do what’s necessary to keep you and your home safe.

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Cost of Mold Remediation and Some Payment Options

[ 0 ] January 28, 2010

Cost of Mold Remediation

Not all of us can afford the cost of mold remediation thanks to the economy. In fact, more and more homeowners are finding it extremely difficult to keep their homes, so trying to keep up with any structural damage is most likely the furthest thing from their minds. And the chances of handing over thousands of dollars to a mold removal company is seriously out of the question, or is it?

With more and more homeowners losing their jobs, more and more financial options need to be explored to help pay for mortgages, home repairs and even the costs to remove mold.

Here are a few places you may or may not have already considered checking with to help get you started -

1. Your Insurance Company – Despite what you may have heard about insurance not covering mold, there are still some companies out there who are willing to help. And of course it never hurts to ask if they offer a policy that may help pay for mold removal costs. And even if their answer is no, they may be willing to say yes to covering water damage mold or any structural damages not caused by the mold.

2. Your City – Many cities are now offering help when it comes to home repairs. Whether it’s to beautify the neighborhood or make your home a safer environment to live in, your city or town may cover the costs or at the very least offer charitable assistance through a local contracting service.

3. FEMA – If the damages to your home are extreme and your city or state has contacted an organization called FEMA, you may be able to have the costs of those mold removal jobs covered depending on your income and the circumstances in which the damages occurred.

4. Bartering – Many businesses, especially smaller ones may be willing to barter their services in exchange for a service you can provide for them. Don’t have a service to offer? Why not ask a family member for friend to offer their services to the company in exchange for you to mow their yard, housesit, babysit or whatever task they may need done.

5. Payment Plan – As much as we don’t like the idea of owing more debt, you may want to consider asking the mold removal company if they’re willing to set up a monthly payment plan with you. Many companies know these are hard times and are often willing to help in any way they can.

6. Credit Line – Another option if you can afford to do so is to use your own line of credit such as borrowing from your bank or using a revolving credit line. However, if you choose this option, it’s always a good idea to borrow a little more than estimated just in case you need it.

7. Income Tax Return –With the tax season upon us once again, many of us will be owed a refund on our income tax return. If you’re expecting a refund, you may want to consider using it to cover the entire cost of mold remediation if not all least part of it.

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