Should I Hire A Professional Remediator?

The word “Mold” has taken on a scary meaning in recent years, mostly because of negative press and media reports on the adverse effects of mold on one’s health. The truth is that the mold industry is a relatively new one and many of the claims hyped in the media about mold are yet to be scientifically proven. (Check out our FAQS to learn more about the basics of mold, including health related effects caused by mold exposure.) However, I feel that no matter what the science proves, mold is gross (yes, I said it) and doesn’t belong in a healthy home. But you don’t always need a mold professional to get rid of mold in your home.

Mold problems go hand in hand with water problems, so when you’ve got a water leak or some flooding that isn’t dried up quickly, mold is usually soon to follow. But it doesn’t just take a catastrophic water event to bring on mold – almost every home I have been to has mold growing in the bathroom.

Now, I’m no doctor, but I’d stake my reputation on stating that common bathroom mold isn’t going to kill you. But let’s face it – it’s gross, it’s unattractive, and it doesn’t give you a feeling of cleanliness. The reason it’s so prominent in homes is because the bathroom is a high humidity environment, and most people don’t take the time to properly ventilate it.

But do you need to spend a lot of money on a mold professional to get rid of bathroom mold? No! It is completely unnecessary. Any moderately handy person can buy some over the counter mold cleaner and clean their tile and grout, and replace their caulking – all for the grand total price of under $10! Just make sure to ventilate your bathroom going forward, so all your hard work won’t be wasted.

What about mold on drywall, you ask? Well, if it’s a small portion of drywall, like maybe 6-10 square feet, most moderately handy people can replace it themselves, or hire a handyman to do it. Just be cautious on how the moldy drywall is handled. The room should be closed off and ventilated to the outside (i.e. close the door and open up some windows). The affected area should be wiped down with some mold-killing solution (dampness decreases the amount of spores that will be kicked up into the air). The drywall should be carefully removed, bagged, sealed and disposed of. The underlying 2×4 framework should then be scrubbed with some mold killer. And finally, the drywall should be replaced and the area thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed (HEPA filters are best). We also recommend wearing mask/respirator, gloves, and goggles as well for most mold jobs, including those that require drywall replacement.

So you see? Most mold outbreaks in homes are relatively small and can be handled without the expense of mold professional. And in today’s budget conscious climate, saving a little money can go a long way.