Recent Requests
I have a musty smell in my basement that I would like to get rid of. Please call me when you can to discuss and to get a quote.
Vince P
My house is an old one. There is a large amount of black mold on the one side of my basement walls. My ten year old son has many allergies including mold. He is always getting sick with an upper respiratory ailment. Can someone help me get this mold out of my basement, please?
Shelly H
Miami, Florida
Choosing A Mold Removal Contractor
Selecting a mold removal contractor is not as easy as you think. For one thing, mold remediation contractors aren't bound by hard and fast certification rules, unlike other trades. What this means is that there aren't any certifications that are absolutely recognized by the industry, and as such you can take your mold remediation contractor's 4 page long list of certifications at face value. They don't mean much, because they are not the industry standard. This lack of industry guidelines for mold remediation companies has made it difficult to distinguish genuine experienced mold removal contractors from handymen. Use your best judgment, never underestimate experience, and make sure your mild removal company has experience removing mold from the area of the house that you want it to be removed from.
Although there aren't any certificates for mold remediation companies that are recognized by the industry, you might want to look for certification and training from the Air Duct Cleaner's Association or the indoor Air Quality Association. However, these are not hard and fast rules, and if your contractor does not posses these qualifications, it's no reason to reject him outright. More important than certification is experience in the kind of mold removal that you need. If the mold growth in your house is confined to the kitchen, bathrooms or basement, then you can conclude that moisture is the culprit. Your mold removal specialist in this case should have experience getting rid of mold from damp areas. If on the other hand, your mold growth is confined to your HVAC systems, then you need a mold remediation contractor who has experience in such specialized mechanical hygiene methods.
Before you select a mold removal specialist, make sure that you know who's going to be actually performing the remediation on your site. Ask who the point of contact is going to be, and how many workers are going to be on your premises. Ask if all these workers will be sufficiently trained in mold removal techniques. In many cases, large companies will send out teams to different locations, and you need to know that the actual mold removal is being done by thoroughly professional people. Your mold removal contractor has to be insured, and should carry sufficient coverage for liability.