Mold Testing & Mold Remediation: Useful Tips
Mold remediation is a task that most homeowners will have to face sooner or later. By definition, mold remediation is the removal of toxic mold spores from an indoor area, larger than 10 square feet, that has large quantities of mold. This could be anything from a small room to the entire house. Depending on how much mold growth you have in your home will determine how extensive this mold removal will be. It can be a difficult task if you don’t know where to start.
Taking a mold assessment, the process of making identification as to where the molds are and the level of potential hazard the mold presents within that environment is a good start.
If you have moderate or severe fungal growth problems, you need to have them treated and removed. You simply cannot fool around with mold. Mold is a frequent cause of many health-related issues since it’s silent, prevalent, and often unseen. It is crucial that you take immediate action. Allergic reactions such as a scratchy throat, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, and excessive itching on your skin could occur within hours. These ailments may just be the onset of more severe health issues.
The tremendous size of the area that needs remediation combined with the potential health hazards and the difficult proposition of actually removing these spores creates a delicate situation that requires professional removal techniques and tools.
Mold Removal: Are you considering doing it yourself?
There are a couple of factors you need to consider when deciding on who should handle mold removal. It is not always necessary to consult experts for mold cleaning. In fact, in many cases, you may be able to handle the problem yourself. But before doing anything yourself, you need to look at the facts.
The first thing to consider is how much Mold Removal is necessary. What is the size of the mold infestation? If the mold area is small you may be able to tackle the job yourself. There are kits you can buy which can help with both mold removal and initial mold testing. But if the area is larger, such as 10 to 30 square feet or more, you should really call in a professional mold removal service.
Our Picks for Mold Removal Kits
| Image | Product | Key Points | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 3M Respirator Kit, Full Face 6900, Reusable, Large, Plus 4 Particulate Filters 2097, P100 for Mold Remediation | 3M Filter 2097 helps protect against many oil and non-oil particulate contaminants. Lightweight, well-balanced. Provides a wide field of view for excellent visibility | Check Price |
 | 3M Ultimate FX Full Facepiece Reusable Respirator FF-402 | The passive speaking diaphragm is positioned to promote clearer and easier communications. Combine with 3M particulate filters to help provide respiratory protection against particulates. | Check Price |
 | Mold Test Kit for Home – All-Inclusive Detection Kit DIY Mold Detector for Visual incl. Black Mold and Mildew | While most kits only include 1 type of test, this mold detector kit includes the equipment for taking both surface and bulk samples. Simple to use. Made in the USA. | Check Price |
 | MyMold Detective MMD105 Mold Test Kit, Professional Mold | Trusted, accurate, and expert-developed mold and dust testing kit. 30-day warranty | Check Price |
Choosing a Mold Removal Service
When choosing a mold clean up service you need to ask the right questions. Always make sure the service you choose has experience in your particular area. There are some companies that specialize in residential cleanups, while others may have industrial backgrounds. If your problem is with HVAC mold then you need to choose a service that has handled this type of problem before.
Don’t just assume they are experts just because they say so. Check references. Also, ask if the company belongs to any professional organizations and if they follow standards set out by the EPA or by other professional and governmental organizations.
Toxic Mold Testing
There are a variety of reasons why one might want to have toxic mold testing done. One group of people that commonly have toxic mold tests administered is potential homebuyers. Radon testing has been prevalent prior to closings for quite a while. But the number of tests done for indoor air quality is rising. After all, no one wants to purchase a home with a toxic mold infestation.
While toxic mold testing is common in residential buildings, it is even more prevalent in commercial properties. Mold can cause health problems. By inspecting a property one can eliminate both potential health hazards and reduce the likelihood of lawsuits that may accompany these risks.
Types of Toxic Mold Testing
There is more than one kind of toxic mold test. Sometimes a count of mold spores is taken. A comparison of indoor versus outdoor mold spore counts may also be done. If visible mold is found, a swab test is usually done to identify whether or not that mold is toxic. Air samples may also be taken.
While large mold infestations are easy to spot, not all mold growths are visible. Mold can be microscopic. In these cases, toxic mold tests are the only way to identify the growths. Mold testing can be done by professionals or with a number of do it yourself mold tests available on the market.