It's In The Walls! Fighting The Mold War With Professional Remediation Services

Mold is one of the things that homeowners fear most, and spotting black mold in your kitchen, bathroom, or elsewhere in your home can be a disheartening and terrifying sight. Once mold makes its first appearance, you know that you're in for a long and ugly fight. Not only is mold unsightly, but it's potentially unhealthy for your family, and can seriously damage the resale value of your home. Many homeowners choose to keep a stiff upper lip and draw the battle lines themselves, but hiring a professional is one of the best ways to ensure victory over this insidious enemy.

Of course, some mold problems can be solved by a handy do-it-yourselfer, and sometimes professionals are only needed to tackle the most difficult parts of the job. Use these tips to help you come up with a mold battle plan, and to determine where mold remediation services fit into it.

Perform Reconnaissance

The first, and most important, step is to determine the extent of the mold growth. A few splotches of mold along a wall may be easily swept aside, but often they are signs of deeper problems. Check beneath sinks and vanities, and in any small, hidden areas where moisture may be hiding. It is likely that you will find more mold than you were expecting, so be prepared.

During this step it is also important to determine why the mold appeared in the first place. Mold lives where it has ready access to moisture. Be especially concerned if you cannot find any obvious source of water, as this likely means that you have a hidden and potentially costly leak.

Consult With The Troops

If you have determined that the mold problem is serious, then your next step should be to hire a residential mold remediation service for a consultation. These professionals are better equipped to find mold in all of the locations that it may be hiding in, and to ultimately identify its likely source. This consultation is not likely to be very expensive, and it will guarantee that you know the true extent of mold damage in your home. Your initial investigation should help point your mold removal specialists in the right direction as well, potentially saving some money on this consultation.

Form A Battle Plan

Once you know what you are up against, it is time to form a proper plan for remediation. Mold removal companies usually offer a variety of services that range from basic clean-up to full remediation. If you believe that you have pinpointed the source of the problem and can fix it yourself, or intend to hire another contractor, then it may only be necessary for a mold remediation service to perform a deep cleaning of the infected areas.