Bio-One of Asheville decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

Mold Testing and Mold Remediation Services - What to Know

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We know mold removal can be an overwhelming task. Where should you begin? And how can you get it done right at a reasonable price?

The truth - mold removal isn’t as complicated as it’s often made out to be.  And the right mold professional, Bio-One, can guide you through the process while charging a reasonable price. 

Do I need to test for mold?

  • If you can already see it, it is present and there isn’t the need for a test, unless, for your own reasons, you are looking for specifics on the type of mold or mold level.
  • The bottom line: you just need to remove it. No visible mold growth belongs in a healthy home and all mold should be removed the same way.
  • If a so-called mold professional insists that you need to spend hundreds of dollars on pre-testing when mold is already visible, our advice is to be very wary. As a side note, before hiring any contractor to do work, we encourage you to do your research, check certifications and read reviews.

 

How expensive can I expect removal to be?

  • Prices of mold removal depend on the size of the job. But, some mold professionals out there exaggerate the amount of work that needs to be done, driving up the price. If you think a quoted price seems high, we recommend getting multiple quotes to compare. However, if you get a quote that’s shockingly low, that’s also a big red flag. 
  • Mold professionals are licensed and skilled tradesmen, just like a plumber or electrician, so you can expect to pay more for a mold company than a regular handyman.
  • No need to take a wrecking ball to the entire house at the sight of a little mold. You can keep the price down by focusing just on the area where there is visible mold.  For example, mold on drywall in one corner of the room only needs cut out and replaced in that corner.  Yes, the rest of the room (and maybe adjoining rooms) should be cleaned, but only damaged drywall needs to be cut out and replaced.

 

What should I expect from a true mold removal professional?

  • Any mold professional should be able to explain your mold removal project in plain English. If a contractor is unable to explain the basic processes and steps of mold remediation and mold removal in layman’s terms, be very wary! 


Once in the home, here’s what to expect from a professional worth their salt:

  • Proper safety gear should be worn when dealing with mold. A high quality, high filtration face mask is a must, as are vinyl or neoprene gloves.
  • Mold professionals use expensive, professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc. Regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
  • After mold is physically removed from its source, the air should be cleaned of airborne mold spores using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air scrubbers and air exchange (i.e. replacing dirty moldy air with clean fresh air through simple ventilation or more sophisticated negative air controls for bigger jobs)
  • When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Only HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores. Regular filters will not work and could make the problem worse.
  • Mold professionals usually discard moldy porous building materials such as drywall, insulation and baseboards. These materials are relatively inexpensive to replace and difficult to impossible to restore to their previous uncontaminated condition.
  • Mold professionals will use an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold and mold stains after demo.
  • Mold professionals often use a sealer or encapsulant to make the treated areas more resistant to water damage and mold, and to help with odor control.

To sum it all up, hiring a mold professional, like Bio-One doesn’t have to be as confusing as you may think. The good ones won’t push unnecessary testing, will charge reasonable prices, are able to clearly explain what work they will be doing, use professional practices & equipment, and have lots of experience.

Contact Bio-One for a free inspection and estimate for mold remediation and/or crawl space encapsulation. Bio-One Asheville serves western North Carolina and the upstate South Carolina.