Why Hire a Certified Mold Remediation Specialist
While many of us take pride in solving problems on our own, issues like removing mold are best left to professionals. Mold develops in a home when mold spores, found within the air, rest on a damp surface, which gives them the moisture they need to grow. While you may want to face a mold issue head-on, experts know the safest and most effective removal methods.
Here, Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, a trusted provider of mold remediation services, explains why professionals should treat mold issues, the risks of do-it-yourself mold care, and actions you can take to prevent future mold concerns.
The Risks of Mold
Mold thrives in wet, humid conditions and areas with poor air ventilation. Signs of mold can include a damp or musty smell, spots or stains within insulation or walls, peeling paint, or foundation damage. It’s common for mold to form in areas such as:
- Attics
- Bathrooms
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Doors
- Kitchens
- Sinks
- Windows
The more extensive mold growth is, the more complex the issue is. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a certified specialist to treat mold-affected areas that are 10 square feet or higher.
How Certified Mold Specialists Tackle Problems
A certified remediation specialist knows how to identify and treat mold through best practices. These experts are best equipped to handle mold removal because:
- They’re well-trained and knowledgeable: A mold remediation specialist, who is certified through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Center (IICRC), needs to have a year of documented field experience. They must also submit their mold remediation specialist (MRS) application and pass their examination.
- They understand different mold conditions: A certified specialist recognizes that one mold situation isn’t equal to another, and that they can range from common issues to toxic black mold. They can best identify mold sources, provide clients with an accurate assessment, and put an appropriate treatment practice into place.
- They set standards for different issues: An expert will apply a set of safety, equipment, and contaminated material disposal standards to each project. Common protective items they wear include eye goggles, rubber gloves, and N-95 respirators. Air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and HEPA vacuums also help to eliminate mold spores, improve air quality, and control moisture sources.
- They can provide credible mold prevention guidance: Specialists not only understand how mold issues arise and how to manage them, but also how to keep them from reoccurring. They’ll advise homeowners on additional actions they can take to better defend their residence.
Why Do-It-Yourself Mold Remediation Isn’t Advisable
While you may think saving money by treating a mold issue on your own is a smart idea, you’ll likely need to hire a professional to ultimately fix the problem. The knowledge a certified mold remediation specialist has isn’t something one can pick up while completing a weekend project. Most do-it-yourself treatments solve issues to the extent the eye can see, neglecting hidden mold only professionals can uncover.
Without proper training or field experience, chances are you don’t know how to correctly contain mold spores. This can cause mold infestation to spread in your home, raising health risks for everyone inside. Extending to size of a mold issue also increases the price it’ll take to fix it.
While some of the protective gear and treatment equipment that specialists use are accessible, top-notch items might be too pricey for most. Being without the best-caliber protection creates a higher chance of breathing in mold spores. Similarly, not using the right cleaning products or chemicals to treat mold could be harmful.
How to Prevent Mold Development
Once a certified specialist treats your mold issues, it’s important to do you what can to prevent the issue from occurring again and not requiring future mold remediation services. Different ways to reduce the chances of mold growing include:
- Address leaks and water damage: We can inspect your space for areas where moisture can build up and mold develops.
- Clean constantly: Make sure to clean mold-prone areas regularly while using products with mold-killing chemicals.
- Consider crawl space encapsulation: This form of crawl space repair helps prevent mold growth and makes a home more energy efficient.
- Gauging humidity: Use a dehumidifier to maintain your home’s humidity level under 60 percent, particularly during the summer.
- Improve yard drainage: If water pooling around your home’s foundation is the source of a mold issue, your yard might need drainage repair.
- Inspect areas for moisture: Regularly check areas in your home that can produce mold and address any moisture you see quickly. See if basement waterproofing would be an appropriate solution.
- Make storage precautions: Make sure you’re placing items in dry, well-ventilated spaces to limit potential moisture development.
- Provide your home with proper ventilation: Take advantage of weather conditions that allow you to let in fresh air through open windows. Consider using an exhaust fan to take moisture out of bathroom and kitchen air.
- Use mold-resistant material in your home: Ask about incorporating materials such as engineered wood, porcelain tile, or vinyl plank that prevent mold from occurring as plan future home projects.
Let Our Professionals Act Against Your Mold Issues
Don’t hesitate to address any mold issues. Reach out to Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions to learn more about our effective mold remediation services. Serving the Tri-State area of Pennsylvania, we have experience in correctly identifying and solving mold problems, always using the best technology and resources. We offer free estimates, a lifetime warranty, and zero-interest financing for those who qualify. Contact us today to learn more or request a consultation.
