How to Choose a Mold Removal Company

How to Choose

Mold is usually a secondary effect to another problem.

For example, mold is often the result of untreated water damage or leaks, or a secondary complication of the water that was required to put out a fire. Mold doesn’t just appear on its own. The conditions have to be right for mold to grow and are often the result of other property damage first.

Regardless of how or why the mold appears, it is important to have it removed, properly cleaned and remediated in order to restore a clean, safe, healthy environment for the property’s inhabitants.

In order to do this, if the area contaminated by the mold is larger than 3 feet by 3 feet, you will need to hire a professional mold removal company to eliminate the mold and remediate the area so no new mold colonies grow.

In this article, we will provide you with information on everything you need to know about mold, including how it grows and why it can be a health threat, as well as how to choose a mold removal company to help you restore your property.

This past week, Hurricane Dorian tore through the Bahamas and dumped floodwaters along the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

As the water recedes and the flooding is cleaned up, the threat of mold will be very high. As you know, mold flourishes in wet and damp environments and the drying process for building materials and furnishings takes time.

Mold will be a natural consequence of all this flooding, especially given the enormous amounts of standing water and the time it will take to remove it.

But regardless of where you live or what the weather is like there, mold can grow whenever the conditions are right. This is why it’s important to understand the nature and risks of mold and how to find the right mold removal company to help you eradicate it from your property when you need to.

CONTENTS

THE TRUTH ABOUT MOLD

HOW MOLD GROWS

ACT QUICKLY TO PREVENT
AND REMEDIATE MOLD
PROBLEMS

WHEN TO HIRE A MOLD
REMOVAL COMPANY

HOW TO CHOOSE A MOLD
REMOVAL COMPANY

A MOLD
REMOVAL SPECIALIST

THE TRUTH ABOUT MOLD

In recent years there have been widespread stories that have appeared in the media, that have exaggerated the catastrophic effects of mold on human health.

For the most part, these severe cases are anecdotal and have been embellished by the press to sell headlines.

While exposure to mold can have negative health consequences, the most severe claims of harm have not been substantiated by scientific research.

Mold is one of the simplest and earliest forms of life. It has existed on our planet for hundreds of thousands of years and for the most part, it is a part of our everyday lives.

In fact, it is as present in the air like dust or pollen. Mold is a member of the fungi kingdom, which also contains yeast, mushrooms, and mildew.

Gailen Marshall, director of the University of Texas Medical School, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Houston said, “Mold is everywhere,” and to emphasize this he added, “For most, mold is a mostly ignored part of their lives.”

Mold is spread in a similar way as a plant spreads seeds. Mold release spores into the air and when these spores accumulate and are released in large quantities they can trigger allergies and asthma, and in some cases, even more severe respiratory problems.

Additionally, it is not uncommon for the spores to irritate the eyes and skin.

It is the accumulation of the spores that causes the irritation and inflammation. Harriet Burge, a mold expert from the Harvard School of Public Health wrote, “Mold only becomes a health issue when there is too much of it.”

How much is too much?

Well, like anything else, scientists and healthcare experts say that this amount varies from person to person and mold spores affect every respiratory or immune system in a different way.

For those who have a weak or compromised immune system, there is a high likelihood that they will be more sensitive to the effects of accumulated spores.

There are about a dozen toxic mold species (including the black mold species, Stachybotrys) that secrete mycotoxins which can be deadly to animals if they eat them in large quantities.

However, these toxins are not airborne like spores and are not toxic unless they ingested.

“Even if the toxins piggyback on spores, it’s nearly impossible for them to enter the human body in large enough quantity to cause illness,” said Coreen Robbins, of Global Tox.

We tell you this so that you can understand that it is almost impossible to suffer toxic poisoning from mold.

This could only occur in incredibly moldy conditions and that much mold would cause skin and eye irritation or trigger significant allergic reactions before toxic doses were inhaled.

While mold is unlikely to poison you or your family, it can cause respiratory problems, such as exacerbating asthma.

Additionally, doctors and researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, also independently determined that molds may be responsible for the majority of sinus infections in the U.S. And, as we have already pointed out, Mold spores can also cause eye and skin irritation.

HOW MOLD GROWS

Molds flourishes wherever there is moisture. Mold can only grow in damp, humid, moist, or wet conditions. Removing the moisture from an area kills the mold and prevents it from growing and spreading.

Mold will not take over a house or property unless there is a constant supply of water or moisture that allows it to spread its spores and grow.

Therefore, if you have a mold problem and you can’t seem to stop the spread of mold on your property, you need to find the source of the water, dampness or excess moisture.

Check for leaks behind drywall or under flooring as well as checking the seals around windows, doors, and roofs. Additionally, you should inspect the flashings around vents or air conditioner equipment for possible leaks allowing moisture into your property.

It is very important that before you start getting rid of mold and remediating the problem, that you find the original source of the moisture so that you can effectively stop ongoing growth and prevent any mold growth reoccurrence.

We went to one job where a home owner had noticed a musty smell after coming home from vacation.

The air quality equipment showed a mold spore count that was tens of thousands of units above normal, but there were no obvious signs of water damage.

Using moisture reading equipment, we found that the air conditioner unit had been leaking very slowly and over time, water had pooled under the carpet padding. There was now a significant mold problem underneath the carpet.

Before we removed the mold, the air conditioning unit needed to be repaired to ensure that it did not continue to leak and continue to create an environment for the mold to grow in.

ACT QUICKLY TO PREVENT AND REMEDIATE
MOLD PROBLEMS

If you have a mold problem, it is important to act quickly.

Mold can not only cause health problems, but it also damages the surfaces it grows on. Obviously, the longer the mold is left to grow, the more damage occurs to the property.

Additionally, as we have already pointed out when you have a mold problem the biggest impact to your property will be a decrease in the air quality.

In some cases, mold can be stopped before it even has a chance to start.

If you have water damage on your property, the key is to remove the water as quickly as possible to reduce the chance of mold growing in the first place.

After building materials are exposed to water or moisture for more than 24-48 hours, mold will start to grow and the materials may be permanently damaged.

In one instance, we had a client who had a flood in her basement.

Unfortunately, a different restoration company was hired to address the water damage and they did not arrive until 6 days later to begin the drying process.

In this time, the water traveled up the porous insulation behind the wall.

When the restoration company finally arrived, they did not properly remove the unsalvageable building materials and instead, set up fans that blew millions of mold spores throughout the entire basement area.

Because quick action was not taken when the water damage first occurred, the project required full-scale mold remediation where simple but effective drying techniques would have sufficed if they had been started within 12-24 hours of the flood.

When you are choosing a restoration specialist to help with water or mold removal, make sure you choose a company who can act quickly and start the drying process.

In Arizona, we have a summer monsoon storms that are often accompanied by very heavy rains. Our restoration company gets water damage calls with every storm.

We dispatch crews around the clock, 24/7, in order to begin the water removal process as quickly as possible. We install pumps and siphon off any standing water.

Fans and dryers are set up immediately after that.

Completely drying out all building materials is absolutely essential for effective mold management and elimination.

WHEN TO HIRE A MOLD REMOVAL COMPANY

Additionally, if the mold has entered and contaminated the heating/ventilation/air conditioning system you will need to hire a mold removal company to clean the mold before you turn the HVAC on—otherwise you risk spreading mold throughout the entire building.

Another case where you need to call a professional to remove the mold is when the water damage is caused by contaminated water or sewage.

You need someone with the right tools and expertise in containment and safety to handle the cleanup of hazardous materials.

If your property has a moldy smell and you think there might be an unseen leak, it can be very helpful to hire water and mold restoration specialists to identify possible sources of water and moisture.

Investigating hidden mold problems requires careful work so that mold spores are not inadvertently released into the air in the inspection.

If you suspect hidden mold, you should hire a professional who can test the air quality and do moisture readings.

If the tests indicate mold, they can skillfully remove the mold without disturbing the spores more than necessary.

One of the benefits of hiring a mold removal company that are specialists in handling mold is that it reduces possible cross-contamination to other areas of your property.

We have seen many instances of when home or business owners try to clean up mold by themselves, but fail to set up a containment area when they are cleaning up the mold.

Once you start scrubbing or wiping the mold, the spores automatically become airborne and can easily travel and contaminate other parts of your home or office.

This is why calling a professional mold remediation specialist can be so helpful.

Mold removal experts start the job by setting up negative air flow environments and carefully constructed containment areas to prevent any spread of mold spores.

Air quality is tested throughout the job to ensure the effectiveness of containment.

Professional Mold Remediation Specialist

They are also experts at disposal of any items contaminated by mold so that future mold outbreaks can be completely avoided.

HOW TO CHOOSE A MOLD REMOVAL COMPANY

When you hire a mold removal company, make sure you call an expert with years of experience and a proven track record.

You want someone who has the equipment, the technicians, the knowledge, and the experience to handle your job, no matter how big or small it is.

You should look for someone with quick response times and professional containment standards. Your safety should be their highest priority.

At Titan Restoration we have been eradicating mold and remediating its effects from homes and businesses for over twenty years.

We have a large, well-trained team that uses their extensive knowledge and expertise to remove the mold from any property, quickly, effectively, and without cross-contamination.

Our goal is to eliminate loss.

And so we work as efficiently as possible to minimize the damage and growth of the mold without ever cutting corners. We work at the highest standards and follow a specific process to ensure the mold is completely removed.

The first part of our process includes identifying and resolving any moisture problems or water damage.

We dry the worksite completely with industrial pumps and fans.

Then the work area is sealed and contained with plastic sheeting to prevent the spread of spores to any other areas of the property.

Next, we set up and run HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums and air scrubbers to clean the air of any airborne mold spores and prevent the possibility of unintended transfer or cross-contamination.

Regular air filters will not work to eliminate mold particles from the and can actually make the problem worse, which is why we only use HEPA filters, designed to capture particles as small as mold spores.

Then, the mold-affected area is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized with industrial-strength disinfectants and antimicrobial chemicals.

During this process, we simultaneously use HEPA air scrubbers with the appropriate number of air exchanges to trap the airborne spores in the filter.

Any porous materials that cannot be entirely sanitized and salvaged, are then properly disposed of and replaced.

Titan Restoration adheres to the highest quality standards and at this point in the process, we employ a third party, Industrial Hygienist, to run tests to ensure that we adequately cleaned and disinfected the area before any repairs are made to the property.

If the Hygienist determines that there are too many mold spores, we re-clean the area until all tests are passed. We have an impeccable record of passing mold spore tests.

The affected area is then treated and sealed to prevent any possible future mold growth.

As you can see, throughout the mold removal process, Titan takes the utmost care to thoroughly eradicate the current mold infestation while working at the highest safety and industry standards. This high standard of excellence prevents any subsequent mold outbreaks.

Make sure that you choose a mold removal specialist that has equally high standards of safety and quality in their work.

TITAN RESTORATION OF ARIZONA IS A
MOLD REMOVAL SPECIALIST

Above all, your health and safety are our highest priority. We do all of our mold removal work to minimize the risks to you and property.

Our team’s training, experience, and technical expertise allow us to provide the very best mold removal service available in the Phoenix Valley.

We are here to help you through the mold remediation process.

Mold can be remarkably persistent and pernicious.

It has survived for millions of years.

But our record, our customer reviews, and our reputation in the restoration industry can give you complete confidence in Titan Restoration’s ability to completely eradicate any mold problem from your property. And do it all with efficiency, excellence, and care.

While mold has been a part of human history since the beginning, harmful amounts of concentrated mold spores should not be a part of your life and does not belong in your home or business.

If you are facing a mold problem, contact us to be your mold removal experts so that you can breathe easier.

Get in touch now

Or – Give us a call: 480-649-5050