The Dangers of DIY Mold Removal: Why You Need a Professional - Escarosa

Mold is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Unsightly, dangerous, and unhealthy mold can destroy a home and the peace of mind of everyone living there. If you’ve got mold in your space, it’s essential to avoid DIY mold removal.

There are times it might seem like a DIY job. Actually, tackling mold on your own can be risky business. The truth is, if you want to get rid of mold in your home once and for all, there’s only one way to do it: call in the professionals!

Not only will this help you avoid any potential health hazards, but it’s also the fastest and most effective way to handle the situation.

In this blog, we’ll discuss why hiring a restoration company is so important and how to know when to contact a pro in your area.

Let’s dive in.

What is Mold, and Why is it Dangerous?

Mold is a type of fungus that occurs everywhere in the natural world. It grows and spreads on decaying organic matter and can appear in various colors.

Mold occurs indoors and outdoors and spreads when the wind carries its tiny spores from place to place.

Generally, mold isn’t a problem until it finds a high-moisture indoor area to grow, at which point it can quickly contaminate a home and cause occupants health issues.

When mold begins to grow, it’s essential to get rid of it quickly.

As mold proliferates, it releases allergens, irritants, and toxic substances that can make people sick.

One of the most dangerous substances mold spores creates is a mycotoxin called Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as “black mold.”

Exposure to black mold and other mycotoxins can cause health concerns, including but not limited to sneezing, coughing, skin rashes, nose, eye, and throat irritation, and new or worsening asthma symptoms.

Because mold tends to grow in hidden, hard-to-see areas, many people don’t recognize these symptoms as related to mold exposure and may only be able to identify mold with the help of a professional restoration company.

Why isn’t DIY Mold Removal a Good Idea?

Trying to remove mold on your own is dangerous, time-consuming, and ineffective.

Here are a few of the problems with trying to DIY mold removal:

1. Exposure to toxic mold spores: Mold spores are tiny, and, when disturbed, can easily become airborne. Once they’re in the air, they spread easily throughout your home, damaging your home’s air quality and increasing the risk of respiratory issues and allergies. Because of this, DIYing mold removal can be dangerous and bad for your health. DIY mold removal also increases the risk of cross-contamination, which can introduce mold to previously un-infested areas of your home.

2. Lingering mold: Unless you have access to industrial-grade equipment, it can be virtually impossible to completely remove mold from your home. This increases the chance of subsequent mold infestation and ongoing mold problems.

3. Structural damage to your home: Incorrectly or improperly removing mold can be dangerous for your home, causing structural problems and costly repairs.

Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid these pitfalls by hiring a professional remediation company.

Professional teams have the equipment, knowledge, and expertise needed to remove mold – safely and effectively – and prevent it from returning in the future.

What is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the professional process of identifying, containing, and removing mold growth from an area.

Depending on the severity of the mold infestation, the remediation process may involve the following steps:

• Inspection and identification. To provide effective mold removal services, most restoration companies start by assessing the severity of mold growth and identifying the type of mold present. During this phase, the restoration professional will also determine the underlying cause of the mold, pinpoint high-moisture areas, and develop a tailored remediation plan.

• Containment. Next, the restoration company you hire will contain the mold infestation so it doesn’t spread to other areas of the home or structure. This may involve sealing HVAC systems, installing physical barriers, or using negative air pressure.

• Mold removal. Next, the mold removal team will remove everything affected by mold. This includes personal belongings, furniture, textiles, drywall, carpet, insulation, and other building materials. When it comes to safety, this step is critical: the mold removal company will follow industry guidelines and best practices to avoid cross-contamination and limit health concerns.

• Cleaning and disinfection. Once all traces of mold are gone, the team will clean and disinfect all salvageable surfaces. To do this, they’ll use specialized cleaning agents that kill any remaining mold spores and prevent mold re-growth.

• Restoration. Finally, the company will put your space back together. Depending on what they had to remove, this may mean replacing drywall and flooring, repainting, or installing new carpet.

How to Find a Mold Remediation Company

Finding a good restoration company is critical to get rid of mold and avoid DIY mold removal.

Here are our top tips for finding a reliable and professional restoration company:

1. Do your research. Before you hire any company, adequately research restoration companies in your area. Look for companies with good customer reviews and ratings, comprehensive websites, and a complete list of services. Avoid companies that have a history of poor reviews or that don’t provide much information about their methods or offerings.

2. Check certifications and credentials. Before deciding on a team to work with, ensure the company is fully licensed and certified to offer mold remediation services in your area. Look for certifications such as the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI).

3. Get a quote. Next, get a written quote from any company you want to work with. The quote should cover proposed services, a timeline for completion, and any costs associated with mold remediation and restoration. Keep the quote for your records and ask about down-payment protocols.

Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration: Your Trusted, Local Mold Remediation Company

If you’re looking for a restoration company to provide comprehensive mold remediation, look no further than Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration.

Providing high-quality, thorough mold remediation services, our team will eliminate the health hazards associated with mold and save you from the dangers of DIY mold removal.

Ready to learn more about us or how we can help you restore your space to like-new condition? Contact us today.