Is mold removal a do-it-yourself job? If you suspect your home has a mold issue, take a look at what you need to know about mold, inspection, and professional mold removal services.
Is Mold a Home Hazard?
Mold is never welcome in your home. It smells, it stains, and it can trigger certain health conditions. Mold inside of your home or in the air can:
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Impact existing allergies. Do you already have a mold sensitivity? The spores in your home can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, eye irritation, or skin irritation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Trigger asthma attacks. If you already have asthma, an untreated mold infestation may worsen your symptoms or cause an attack.
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Cause upper respiratory symptoms. The CDC notes that some research connects exposure to mold with wheezing, coughing, and other common upper respiratory symptoms. These symptoms were found in people with sensitivities or asthma as well as healthy individuals.
Given the potential for allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other upper respiratory symptoms, effective mold remediation is essential. But this doesn't mean you can just wash your walls or spray clean the spores away. Failure to completely remove the mold can result in continued symptoms, irritations, or other health issues.
Why Should You Hire a Pro?
If a simple wall wipe down or mist with a disinfectant cleaner may not get the job done, how can you completely remove mold from your home? Instead of a DIY job, you need to call a professional for this type of service. A mold remediation professional can:
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Inspect your home. Do you know where every mold spore is hiding? Mold won't only grow on visible surfaces. It can hide under damp carpet padding, inside of walls, in the attic, or in other not-so-obvious spaces. A professional can inspect your whole home and find the sources of the spores.
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Effectively eliminate the problem. A mold remediation contractor has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to remove the problem from your home. The professional knows how to properly clean mold. This includes the specific types of cleaners used and product safety.
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Prevent another mold infestation. A DIY mold remediation job may not fully eliminate the problem. If you leave behind spores, mold can re-grow and start a new infestation. A professional service will reduce this risk.
Before you schedule mold removal services, ask your would-be future contractor for references. The contractor should have real-world recommendations from past customers. These should include specific information on the services offered and the effectiveness of the company's removal process.
