5 Steps To Assess Mold Damage

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

Mold infestation at a Johnson City, TN home

Accurate Mold Assessment

Mold can cause major damage at a residence in Johnson City, TN. A mold assessment is the only way to determine the extent of this damage. Mold remediation experts can perform an inspection and provide an estimate and schedule. Here are five steps involved in a complete assessment.

1. Locate Mold

The first step of an assessment is to determine whether mold is growing. Mold spores are everywhere, but moisture and food sources are necessary for spores to thrive and multiply. A homeowner can look for signs of visible mold. If a musty odor is present but no signs of mold or mildew are apparent, a mold specialist should search for hidden mold.

2. Determine Growth

Once it has been established that mold is growing, the extent of an infestation is the most important issue. Remediating a minor mold problem may cost several thousand dollars, but a major problem can end up costing tens of thousands of dollars.

3. Identify the Species

A homeowner will probably not be able to identify which type of mold is present without lab analysis. An environmental hygienist can take samples and provide accurate results as part of a mold assessment. If black mold or another toxigenic species is growing, remediation may require specialized equipment.

4. Obtain Remediation Estimates

A mold cleanup and remediation service can provide an estimate. Experts will factor in the equipment, methods, and labor costs necessary to stop mold growth and eliminate the residual effects of an infestation.

5. Make a Restoration Schedule

The final stage of an assessment involves determining the length of the remediation process. A mold cleanup service should be able to provide a schedule once the extent of the infestation and species are known.

Each of these steps is necessary for an accurate mold assessment. If mold is growing in a residence in Johnson City, TN, homeowners should act quickly to prevent the problem from worsening prior to remediation.