Finding mold in your home probably caught you off-guard. Maybe you found a few dark blotches on the wallpaper that you hadn’t noticed before. Maybe a friend of yours pointed out, to your horror, that there was an odd smell in your home. Maybe you started to get sniffly for no good reason.
However you found out that you have mold in your house, we understand the stress that follows. The same gnawing questions start to run through your head on repeat:
Do I really need to do anything right now? How much is this going to cost? How bad is it, really?
The first thing we want you to do is to take a deep breath. Because while finding mold in your home is serious and requires attention, it doesn’t have to be as stressful as people make it out to be. As long as you take action quickly and educate yourself on how to prevent another infestation, you’ll have your home back to normal. You’ll also have your peace of mind back, too.
If you’re unsure of what steps to take once you’ve identified mold in your home, have a look at the following guide. We’ve broken down the process into easy-to-follow steps so that all you have to do is take it one task at a time.
1. Get in Touch With a Mold Specialist for an Assessment
There are some who say that if you find mold in your home, you don’t have to call in a specialist to do a formal test. We disagree. An assessment conducted by a mold tester is a key first step once you’ve found mold, because it can tell you how extensive the problem is and where it exists in the house.
They do this through a process of data analysis, in which a sample of the air or the surfaces of your home are sent off to a laboratory. The sample is then analyzed and sent back to the mold tester. If you’re worried about a company being dishonest during this phase, you may consider asking to see the results yourself.
A mold tester may also be able to identify the root cause of the problem, such as a water leak or inadequate ventilation. That means that at the same time that you call in a professional to remove the existing mold colony, you can also stop the mold from taking root in the future by addressing those issues.
Once the mold tester has completed the assessment, you should ask them if they do mold remediation or can recommend a remediator.
When should you complete this step?
Immediately. As soon as you see mold, you should get a tester in. Try to schedule someone within a two or three days.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company and Let Them Know What is Going On
Depending on your home insurance, you may be able to have the damages covered for mold remediation services. So, with the mold tester’s assessment in hand, make sure to call your insurer. They’ll likely ask questions about whether you’ve experienced a water leak or flooding in the home.
It’s also a good idea to take pictures of any visible mold in the home. Not only will this help the insurance company with your claim, but it will also protect you from any damages that might occur during the remediation process. As rare as those instances are, it’s still good to have thorough documentation if you need it later on.
When should you complete this step?
The same day that you receive the mold tester’s results, you should make the call to your insurance company. After all, you want to get remediation services in as soon as possible.
3. Review Mold Remediators and Ask for a Free Quote
There are a lot of mold remediators out there, and you want to make sure you’re choosing the right one. Take a look at the reviews, or check out our guide for finding the right company.
Then, it’s time to start calling and asking for quotes. Since you’ve already completed a mold assessment, it shouldn’t be difficult to get a quote over the phone.
When should you complete this step?
Even though we listed this as the third step, you should actually start reviewing mold remediators the same day you find mold in your house. Because regardless of what the mold assessment reveals, you’re going to want a reliable company to call for the next step. In terms of actually choosing a remediator, try to lock down a good one within one week of finding the mold. Remember, the sooner you get a remediator in, the sooner the mold and your stress go away.
4. Agree Upon a Treatment Plan
It’s incredibly important to look through the contract offered by the mold remediation company before committing to anything. A reliable company will have prepared you for this step by explaining the process and offering to clarify any questions you may have.
Also make sure that the mold remediation company stands by their work by offering a guarantee.
When should you complete this step?
Reputable mold remediators know that time is of the essence, so they should be sending you a contract within a day of your call. Make sure to give yourself enough time to read through it and ask any questions, but don’t let it sit in your inbox or on your desk for more than 48 hours.
5. Make Living Arrangements in Case You Need to Leave During Remediation
Once you know what the treatment plan is going to be, you can start making personal arrangements. Every case is different, so you may not have to find another place to stay during the removal process, but you still need to make a plan in the case that:
- (a) you decide to stay and have to vacate the contamination sites or
- (b) you have to make a surprise exit in case the problem is more extensive than previously thought
Even though some remediations are very minor, some experts recommend that you vacate the house altogether, anyway. On the one hand, it might be safer that way, because during the one to three day process equipment and workers will be coming in and out of your living space. But, it might also make the process more efficient and seamless for the workers when they don’t have to think about other individuals in the home.
When should you complete this step?
As soon as you’ve received the treatment plan, start making the arrangements. The actual contract will let you know when remediation will start as well as a project of how long the job will take. It’s important not to leave this step to the last minute, especially if you’ve promised the remediation company that you’ll be vacating. That way, you can plan a couple of different options in case your first plan falls through.
6. Prepare for the Remediators to Enter the Home
The treatment plan will give you a clear idea of which rooms in your home will be affected, which means that you can prepare accordingly. Clearing out any furniture, wall decorations, or personal items will ensure that the remediation staff can come in and get to work right away.
When should you complete this step?
Clearly, this just has to be done before the remediation company comes in, but, again, you’ll save yourself some stress by not waiting until the morning of to get it done.
7. Prevent Mold from Coming Back
If you’re unsure of how to do this, feel free to ask your mold remediator what they would recommend once they’ve finished their job. In some cases, such as mold that was the result of a flood or water leak, there won’t really be anything you can do. But even in those situations, it’s still good to avoid future problems by ensuring proper ventilation and checking regularly for signs of a mold colony.
Some homeowners will go so far as to request another mold test at the end of the remediation or a while after the workers have cleared out. Because even with thorough eradication methods, mold colonies can still reappear in tricky-to-spot places.
Leave a Truthful Review Online to Help Other Homeowners
Online traffic is a major way that mold remediators attract business, so if you had a good experience, be sure to write about it! Not only will it help the remediation company, but it will also benefit those who are just as stressed as you were when you identified mold in your home!
When should you complete this step?
Throughout the entire process of mold remediation, it’s a good idea to take notes on any questions, doubts, and appreciations that you have. That way, you can remember to tie up any loose ends before the remediation company is onto the next job, and so that you can write a detailed and accurate review. Don’t allow yourself to wait too long to write it, otherwise, we know how easily it gets placed on the back burner as other life events pop up.
And Finally, Breathe Easy!
You acted quickly, you followed the steps, and now it’s time to relax. Identifying a mold problem is a stressful endeavor, so make sure you give yourself some downtime to recover and enjoy your mold-free home!