The Official Black Mold Removal Guide

Molds are not a fungus to just ignore when you find them in your home. And when it comes to black mold removal, it’s most definitely not something to mess around with. If you find that you have the toxic fungus in your home, the first thing you should do is call a professional, no matter how much you may dread the idea of spending a lot of money. Mold removal costs are nothing compared to dealing with the actual toxic fungus, which can wreak havoc on yours and your family’s health.

Toxic mold like the black stuff can make you extremely sick if you’re not careful. For example, toxic mold symptoms may include, panic attacks, black outs, tremors, swollen Lymph Nodes, difficulty in weight loss, ringing of the ears, hearing loss, frequent nose bleeds or pulmonary hemorrhaging, hives, hair loss, joint pain, an irregular heart beat, seizures, developmental delays in children, jaundice, stomach ulcers migraines and death in small animals and children.

The cost of having a professional remove the mold from your home may seem extreme, but when it comes to your health, not to mention structural damage of your home, you’re better off hiring someone who knows what they are doing.

If you choose not to contact a professional and the amount of damage is high, you could actually end up with worse damage than what you started with. Of course it’s understandable that you’d want to save as much money as possible, especially with the economy in the state that it is, but if you take a risk with your home and your health, you may end up losing more than you would have saved. Not to mention that in some states, doing it yourself when you have toxic mold is illegal.

If you really want to save some money, you may be able to remove some structural damage such as moldy carpeting or drywall. But when it comes to the real task at hand, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

So how much should you expect to pay for their services? Well, it would depend on what type of mold you have and what type of area they’re in. It will also depend on the size of the problem as well as the company you decide to hire. In general the average cost of hiring a professional to do the job is anywhere from $2000 to $10,000 depending on what services are required, the extent of the damage and so on.

Now before you decide you’re not going to pay that much to have someone clean up your home, there may actually be some good news. Some insurance companies may actually allow you to recover some or even all of the money you spend on hiring a professional. In some cities there may even be a program, which allows you to do the same.

And depending on the circumstances, you may even be able to recover the mold removal costs on your next tax return. Okay so now that you’re breathing a little easier, maybe it’s time we talked about the cost of your grocery bill. Just kidding.

The first thing homeowners want to know when it comes to professional help for a home invasion from molds is how much does mold removal cost? Unfortunately, there really is no exact answer because there are many factors that will need to be taken into consideration before any kind of price can be set.

For example, the amount of fungus, where it’s located, whether it’s airborne and what structural damage there is will be taken into consideration when determining the costs of removing the mold. The determining costs also will depend on what black mold removal company you decide to hire to do the work. If you just go with the first person out of the phonebook without asking around and getting quotes, you’re probably going to end up spending too much.

Also, you should never make your decision based on price. You could end up dishing out a lot more money in the end if you hire someone who doesn’t remove the problem correctly the first time.

If you’re handy with small projects, you may be able to save some money by doing some of the work yourself such as removing damaged drywall. However, you should keep in mind that a do it yourself mold removal project isn’t a simple task and requires safe handling of every task involved, even the smallest ones.

However, if your small job turns out to be one that doesn’t require the help of a professional, you can count your blessings since the costs of removing the mold from your home will no doubt be considerably cheaper.

There are a great number of mold removal products available on the market that are specifically designed to remove mold and mildew. Some are better than others in various ways. The best choices are always those that are eco-friendly and safe on your lungs.

There are also many mold removal home remedies that have been suggested throughout the years. Some people swear by while others are a try at your own risk remedy. Vinegar and water is said to be a reasonable solution for small amounts of the fungus. It’s also said to be safe on materials like leather.

Some also say that leaving the item out in the sun may remove some types of mold. This isn’t a good idea however if the item is easily vulnerable to fading or heat from the sun’s rays. It’s also a process that may take weeks before results are noticed.

Many people also consider the old standard bleach and water mixture. However, recent studies have shown that bleach only kills what is above the surface, not below it where molds tend to hide. So in reality the surface is clean temporarily, but the fungus is still there.

Of course no matter which method works best for you, the one thing always remains the same – your health and the health of your family is number one when it comes to any decision you make. So whether you decide that a professional is needed or you’re lucky enough to have a small problem, mold removal cost is nothing compared to the safety of your health.

Did you know that house mold is a fungus that can make you very sick? In fact, prolonged exposure to the spores of those molds can cause severe asthma, sinus infections, fatigue, headaches and even bleeding of the lungs. And unfortunately, most people who have been exposed to the toxic fungus don’t even know it. They assume that the skin rash or sinus infection is being caused by some other health related illness such as the flu or an allergic reaction.

They never assume that their illnesses can be caused by mold growing behind their walls, under their floors and in their showers. They don’t realize that any amount of moisture is just what funguses need to grow. Without that moisture, those molds simply can’t grow.

If you even dare suspect that toxic fungi are invading your home, you should have a mold home test done immediately by a professional. If the problem is a serious one, you should consider hiring a mold remediation company. If the problem is small, you can remove the mold yourself.

Before doing so however, you’ll need to:

Repair any leaks in your home such as dripping faucets or leaky pipes. You should also make sure that your roof and gutters are in good condition and free from water damage. If you have an air conditioner check to see that the drain line is clean and free from debris.

Once you’ve made the necessary repairs and removed the toxic fungi from the affected area safely, you should consider installing a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity in your home.

You should also invest in an exhaust fan for your bathroom and use it every time you use your shower. Exhaust fans are designed to remove the moisture from the air. If you can’t afford an exhaust fan, be sure to open a window to remove moisture and humidity from your bathroom.

After you bathe or shower, dry off the tub or shower to reduce mold and mildew growth. Then, remove wet towels from your bathroom and hang to air dry so that moisture doesn’t have a chance to attract fungi. And while you’re at it, consider replacing your wicker hamper with one that is less attracted to moisture such as a simple plastic laundry basket.
 
Consider using fabrics that allow your home to breathe and are less attracted to moisture. With so many choices on the market today, you can easily find bedding, mattresses and even paint that are resistant to mold.

One final note: If you do come into contact with house mold, you should not use bleach unless it is absolutely necessary. Researchers have recently learned that bleach doesn’t absorb below surfaces where mold hides – meaning, the fungus never really goes away. Plus, bleaching is just not safe on our health or on the environment.