Mold remediation involves a long process requiring time and the correct equipment. Professionals know how to identify different types of mold, select cleaners that are guaranteed to kill all spores and test afterward to ensure the mold has been eliminated from the house.
Cleaning up mold alone can be dangerous and lead to recurring problems. Fortunately, there are some pros and cons to hiring a professional.
Cost
Professional mold remediation in Flemington, NJ, or anywhere else, is a far more thorough process. They will isolate the affected area with plastic sheeting and seal off doors and windows to prevent the spread of spores from one part of your home to another. They will also use advanced cleaning equipment to scrub drywall and surfaces you can’t easily reach with a sponge or soapy water. This way, you can rest assured that all of the mold is gone and that it won’t come back.
Professionals can identify the source of the mold and address it before they begin to clean. They will also have air quality testing kits for mold spores in your home’s environment. They will have protective gear for themselves and scrubbers for your home’s air that are more effective than those you can buy at a local hardware store.
It’s important to remember that mold spores can linger in the air even after the area has been thoroughly cleaned. Inhaling these spores can trigger allergies and breathing problems. Using a fan to circulate the air can help keep the spores from settling in the air. It’s also important to properly decontaminate and remove all of the cleanup equipment you used, as failure can result in mold spores resurfacing in your home.
Time
Mold is tenacious. Even if you can completely remove all visible traces, it will return to grow and cause health problems. This is why a professional inspection is important. This includes checking the entire area for mold spores, which can be difficult to detect. It also involves identifying the source of the mold, such as a sewage leak or flooding. If the mold results from these issues, extensive restoration will be needed. This may involve repairing and sealing the plumbing, flooring, and walls. This can increase the cost of the project.
The first thing a professional in mold removal in Staten Island does is to isolate the area with plastic sheeting and closing doors and windows to prevent the spread of spores. In severe cases, they may also use polyurethane sheeting to seal doorways and windows. Mold removal professionals are also more likely to test the mold to find the type, allowing them to select cleaners guaranteed to kill it. They can also access special tools to reach tight spots, such as behind drywall or crawl spaces.
Taking on DIY mold removal can take a lot of time and requires the purchase of special safety equipment like an N95 mask and protective gloves. Unless you know what you’re doing, it’s easy to accidentally just remove the surface of the mold without killing it. This can worsen the problem, causing more spores to be released into the air and making you and your family sick.
Safety
Mold spores are dangerous to your health, causing irritation and allergies that affect your eyes, nose, throat, and skin. If you inhale them, they can also affect your lungs. It is not uncommon for people to have a strong reaction to inhaling mold spores and for them to be especially harmful to those with asthma.
For small areas of mold, you can use various DIY products to clean the area. Many are made of household items, such as bleach, borax, tea tree oil, and vinegar. Most are designed to kill the mold, not just make it look clean. The key to a successful DIY mold cleanup is adequate ventilation and drying of the affected area. You should open all windows and use fans in problem areas to promote airflow and eliminate any lingering moisture.
If the problem is more extensive, or you suspect toxic black mold is present, professional mold removal may be needed to ensure that all spores have been killed and the affected area thoroughly cleaned. The professionals know how to handle the specialized cleaning equipment required for this kind of work and can also ensure that all spores are removed from hard-to-reach areas like crawl spaces. They can also test and identify the type of mold to select cleaners that will kill it effectively.
Expertise
It takes a lot of skill to properly clean mold and prevent it from returning. Mold spores are airborne; if they’re disturbed during the cleanup process, you risk exposing yourself to toxic spores that can cause numerous health problems. This can include nasal congestion, wheezing, itchy eyes and skin, and more serious symptoms for those with asthma or allergies.
Homeowners who attempt DIY mold removal need the proper training and expertise to deal with the problem effectively. This can result in surface-level mold removal that only removes visible signs of growth while leaving behind lingering mold spores. This puts the health of the people living in your home or business at risk, and it can lead to further structural damage.
Additionally, professional mold remediation involves using specialized cleaning equipment unavailable to the average homeowner. This equipment can help ensure that all areas of the mold infestation are treated and that the spores are removed from hard-to-reach spots in your home. It can also help with ventilation and dry out the area, making it less likely to return. Homeowners who take the DIY route often need to take advantage of this necessary step, as they rely on scrubbing mold with household cleaners and failing to address the underlying issue.
