A Guide to a Mold Removal Assessment
If your house is infested with mold, the thought of hiring a professional mold removal company and beginning the restoration process can be stressful, especially if the infestation is widespread. However, it is important that you call in a professional as soon as you see signs of fungus or mildew. Ignoring the problem can put you and your family at risk, because fungus can cause very serious health problems if it is ignored and allowed to reproduce and spread.
Before a mold removal company can begin to treat your home, they will need to perform a process that is known as assessment. Assessment involves inspecting the home and noting the extent, source, and location of the damage. The data gathered during this stage will help the removal company plan their approach to the second stage of the process, remediation. Remediation is the cleanup process itself, and the tools and techniques used will vary based on the type of fungus, the source of the moisture, and the extent of the problem.
During the assessment stage, the mold removal company will first identify potential sources of moisture within your home. This is extremely important, because fungus needs moisture in order to survive. Therefore, figuring out where the excess moisture in your home is coming from is crucial to locating and exposing the mildew. Mildew is not always visible and may be hidden within walls, ceilings, or floors. Figuring out where the water is coming from will help the restoration team identify the places where fungus may be lurking.
After the source of the moisture has been identified, the restoration team will figure out what type of mildew is growing within the home. This is important because different types of fungus require different techniques to remove. Sometimes, the answer to this question is obvious because the mildew is visible and can be easily classified. However, if the mildew is hidden, the restoration team may need to perform sampling of the air or surfaces in the home to properly identify the fungus.
In addition to classifying the fungus, the mold removal company will need to calculate the extent of the problem. This will also influence the tools and techniques they use. Small-scale infestations will generally require less time and effort to clean up, whereas large-scale infestations may require more intensive efforts. It may even be necessary to dismantle the structure of the home in order to effectively attack the problem.
Before the remediation and cleanup process can begin, the restoration team will perform one final step: documenting the infestation with pictures, video, and written notes. This documentation will help the restoration team figure out a remediation plan and will also be useful for the homeowner if he or she wants to file a claim with his or her homeowners insurance provider.