Simply speaking, mold is a specie of fungus that prefers damp environments. Mold is always around you in our world, but only some types can cause problems. Mold can be found in various hues, including white, pink, green, black, purple, and many others. Most mold is safe and typically grows outside, for example, on dead leaves or grass clippings. 

Alternatively, green mold on stale cheese may appear on other items in your refrigerator. There are particular varieties, though, that you should primarily be on the lookout for. 

Stachybotrys chartarum, a form of black mold, is the most dangerous kind. 

Mold can be detrimental to you, your family, and your employees and has been connected to health issues. It’s something that isn’t always simple to spot but might seriously harm your home or place of business over the long term. 

Companies that specialize in mold treatment are specifically created to handle mold issues. Mold cleanup businesses are a godsend for homeowners seeking to fix their homes or sell their homes.

As a mold remediation company for South Florida, we wanted to provide a full list of what a mold company should be doing before you hire one.

What do mold remediation companies do?

They’ll assess the situation and make a plan 

If there’s noticeable mold in your home, hidden mold is probably hidden behind drywall and under rugs. The initial step in the mold remediation procedure will be to thoroughly investigate the affected area to determine the extent of the problem. 

This visit could be brief if the contamination is minor. This initial stage can take longer, though, if the mold has spread or if the drywall and area rugs need to be removed. 

You could collect a mold sample. In some cases, this may be a critical step to determine the degree of contamination the remediation firm will be addressing. An example may also be required if someone in your home suffers from severe respiratory issues or other health issues that are made worse by mold.

The remediation team will use the information and proof it has obtained to create a plan of action for removal, cleanup, and repair. You should receive a thorough explanation of this plan, and you should feel free to ask any questions or voice any residual concerns you may have with the removal team members. 

They’ll dry out the affected area

To dry out the affected area as rapidly as possible, prepare for installing and continuously operating industrial fans and dehumidifiers. Mattresses and other furniture that can’t be wholly dried will be thrown away. You can eliminate the threat of mold in this manner. 

They’ll isolate the affected area

Ground zero will be sealed off to prevent the spread of mold to the rest of your house. This can merely entail locking doors and opening windows for mild mold outbreaks. For more severe problems, the cleanup experts may use plastic sheeting to enclose the afflicted area and contain the spores. 

They’ll remove the mold

The actual mold eradication and cleansing can start after the dries. Various cleaning techniques, fungicides, and specialized vacuums may be employed. The molded type, the quantity of mold to be removed, and the surfaces involved will affect the technique. Any item that cannot be cleaned will be appropriately disposed of. 

After cleaning is complete, the mold remediation process may also call for home repairs like retiling floors or restoring furniture and fabrics. You should review these specifics with the remediation team before work starts, although it will depend.

For various reasons, it is preferable to leave mold removal and repair to experts, as a skilled mold restoration business has the knowledge and tools required to rapidly and safely restore your home to its pre-mold state. 

How to prevent mold

You immediately take action after finding mold in your house or other structure to prevent the mold from growing and spreading. 

It makes little difference whether the problem stems from a recent water leak or another issue. Act immediately to ensure the safety of the people inside your building is crucial. Once you spot mold or mildew, taking quick action will reduce damage and remediation costs. 

• Fix the source of the water leak: Once you’ve done this, it will be simpler for a mold remediation specialist to arrive and begin evaluating the situation. 
• Turn off the electricity: Since water and electricity don’t mix well, turn off the impacted area’s main breaker. 
• Document damage and file a commercial insurance claim: Take numerous photos of the problem and the mold-growing regions. Contact your insurance provider right away.
• Contact a water damage restoration and mitigation company: They can assist you in beginning the drying process and prevent mold spread. 
• Ensure your building is completely dry: Ensure all moisture levels are normal before starting the build to prevent mold growth and damage. 

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for mold remediation?

All homeowners hope to avoid the annoyance of mold. Before it spreads, you must eliminate it as soon as it is discovered.

In residential structures, mold treatment typically takes 1 to 5 days. However, other elements affect the mold removal procedure, such as the size of the mold-affected region, its location, and the surface it is growing. 

Will mold come back after remediation?

If the moisture buildup is permitted, mold may return after remediation. For instance, mold can grow in a freshly remedied basement when a water leak causes flooding. 

What are the signs I might have mold in my building?

There are other indications of a mold-growing issue besides the obvious visual ones that you have mold. You likely have mold if you just experienced a significant leak. 

Mold might be present if the paint starts to bubble, there’s a musty smell, or there are soft places in the flooring. Medical issues like headaches or coughs without a cold may also indicate a problem of mold exposure. 

The only natural way to be certain is to request an inspection from a specialized mold remediation business.