West Palm Beach, FL Mold Removal & Remediation Company (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between mold removal and mold remediation? ›

To simplify: Remediation is removing contaminated material and mold. Mold removal is the removal of actual mold from surfaces, but not removing the material.

Mold Remediation Cost Breakdown

Mold removal labor cost: $50 – $150 per hour. Mold containment: $200 – $2,000 (depending on the size and complexity of the project) Disposal of contaminated materials: $50 – $500. Replacement of damaged materials: $500 – $5,000 (depending on the extent of damage)

Professional mold remediation typically costs $1,500–$9,000 with an average cost of $3,500. Bathroom mold removal typically costs between $500 and $1,500. Removing mold from an attic costs $1,000–$9,000. Basem*nt mold removal projects typically cost $500–$4,000.

Homeowner Responsibility

Homeowners are typically responsible for paying for mold remediation services out-of-pocket unless they have insurance coverage that covers such costs. If the homeowner does not have insurance coverage, they must pay all associated costs themselves.

In some cases, the experts will use some chemicals during the work that you may be allergic to. So, it is better to leave the area until the job is completed.

If you don't eliminate the original source of the moisture, mold will certainly come back, even after using bleach! One of the reasons is that even when you clean a surface with bleach, mold may still be lurking deep within the material in areas your cleaning may have missed.

Traditional mold remediation methods typically take around seven days, depending on the scope and severity of the problem. However, this doesn't mean that you'll be back to normal life within a week.

Homeowners can handle cleaning about 10 square feet (roughly 3 feet by 3 feet) of black mold on their own. If the patch is small enough, a combination of bleach, water, scrubbing, and ventilation should do the trick. Before treating mold on your own, prioritize ventilation and protective gear.

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.

Bleach kills virtually every species of indoor mold that it comes into contact with including mold spores which leaves a sanitized surface making it resistant to future mold growth.

Can you ever fully get rid of mold? ›

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.” Even if you clean the mold, it will come back if the room is humid and poorly ventilated or if there is ...

If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

A temperature of 78 F or greater is recommended. Never lower the thermostat temperature in an attempt to control humidity in your home – this will not work.

By default, a homeowner's insurance policy will not cover mold damage. However, home insurance policies will cover mold damage if it was caused by what is called a “covered peril”. A covered peril is an incident that causes the loss or damage that your insurance policy provides coverage for.

Mold Doesn't Have to Be a Deal Breaker

This type of buyer is ready to assume the issue and will not be any trouble for you when doing inspections or on the way to the closing date. It is important, however, that the seller is always clear about the situation, making sure the issue is completely disclosed to your buyer.

Remove standing water and wet materials. Use a wet vacuum to remove water from floors, carpets, and hard surfaces. Dry your home and everything in it as quickly as you can – within 24 to 48 hours if you can. Open all doors and windows when you are working and leave as many open as is safe when you leave.

Porous items, such as carpet, linens, drywall and other similar items, that you find submerged in floodwater or covered with mold most likely need to be thrown away. Non-valuable papers should be discarded after water damage. For irreplaceable items, such as your parents' wedding album, consider freeze-drying.

So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.

For a natural solution for getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.

Mold professionals use expensive, professional equipment such as HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc. Regular handymen won't have that stuff.

Does black mold have to be professionally removed? ›

Because of the dangers that black mold can present, it is recommended to hire a professional to complete the mold remediation process. A professional will have the proper equipment and training to safely and effectively remediate the mold.

'Bleach will kill mold spores growing across a hard surface, but if the mold has extended below the surface, then white vinegar is the best choice,' she says. 'The vinegar will penetrate to kill the mold and mildew at the root, preventing it from regrowing.

While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, which means it's less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.

Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.

As a rough guideline, a mold inspection costs about the same as a regular home inspection, the kind that is done when you purchase a new home. On average, mold inspection costs $300 to $400 for small to medium-sized houses (below 4,000 square feet). Above 4,000 square feet, the cost increases to the $700 to $900 range.

A blood test, sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test, can measure your immune system's response to mold by measuring the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.

Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup.

In such cases, a solution of diluted bleach provides the fastest way to kill mold on walls or flooring. Prepare the solution by adding one cup of bleach into a bucket that contains about a gallon of warm water. Then proceed to scrub the mold vigorously with a stiff-bristled brush you've dipped in the bleach solution.

White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.

What happens if mold is not removed? ›

Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include: Nasal and sinus congestion. Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes. Wheezing and difficulty breathing.

If you're not wearing any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), you're inviting all of those mold spores to settle on your clothing, the area you're cleaning, your shoes (allowing mold to travel to other areas in your home), in your eyes, and up your nose into your upper respiratory system.

Use a mixture of water, vinegar and baking soda to spray the moldy spots. Spray the area once or twice so it gets covered but not so much that it drips. Once it's wet you can use a toothbrush or a scrub brush to scrub away any discolorations and mold.

This can lead individuals, especially those with pre-existing conditions like allergy and asthma feeling tired. Lung Issues: Mold particularly attacks the lungs and the pulmonary system in general. Even years after exposure to mold, it is possible to notice a reduction in lung function.

It is also very important that there is adequate ventilation in the room. Open a window or door so the mold spores can escape, instead of staying locked in your home.

Older buildings are more likely to have mold issues. Newer homes, however, can have mold problems that are just as serious if the owner does not implement proper prevention strategies.

Mold Growth- The colder you keep your home, the colder the walls, ceiling, floors, windows and more will be. Water vapor that gets into these porous materials is the ideal place for mold to grow.

Mold grows faster in the summer months. However, winter doesn't always mean we are in the clear. Mold loves the dark spaces in our homes. Although it does not grow at temperatures below freezing, mold can survive in dormancy and await the coming spring.

Mold can grow inside air conditioners, ducts, and other parts of your HVAC system too, which means that the mold spores have a direct route into each room of your home. Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit is key to keep it running smoothly and to prevent mold from growing in it - or around it.

Always make sure you hire a certified mold inspector and beware of prices that are too low or too high. The typical Florida mold inspection cost ranges from $375-500, depending on the size of your home.

Is mold a code violation in Florida? ›

“Under Florida statutes, landlords are required to comply with local building, safety and health codes, and so if the mold on its own is not causing a violation of the building or health or safety code, then the landlord is not required to correct it.”

If you suspect you've been exposed to and sickened by toxic mold through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation. If the fault lies with an employer or a landlord avoiding the issue, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

Florida law requires sellers to disclose any issues they know about that materially affect the value of a home or property. This requirement applies even if the buyer does not ask whether the seller knows about defects.

Furthermore, home inspectors can do mold testing for you during the home inspection process.

Yes, you need a mold inspector license to perform mold inspections in Florida. The state of Florida requires mold inspectors to have a mold certification from the Environmental Assessment Association (EAA).

Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don't rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water.

What Is Mold Remediation? Mold remediation is the removal and cleaning of contaminated areas from mold. It is an extensive cleaning process that requires a professional to ensure that all mold in your home is removed and won't return.

Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.

Is it safe to live in a house after mold remediation? In most cases, it is safe to return home after mold remediation is complete. You should follow your mold remediation technician's recommendations, but most pros request that homeowners wait one day after the process is complete to move back in.

Does mold remediation include replacing drywall? ›

Most mold remediation projects go something like this: The work area is sealed off with plastic sheeting to contain mold spores and other airborne debris. Moldy, porous building furnishing and materials — like drywall, insulation, carpeting, and baseboards — are removed and replaced/rebuilt.

While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, which means it's less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.

SERVPRO uses antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.

Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.

Homeowners can handle cleaning about 10 square feet (roughly 3 feet by 3 feet) of black mold on their own. If the patch is small enough, a combination of bleach, water, scrubbing, and ventilation should do the trick. Before treating mold on your own, prioritize ventilation and protective gear.

Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit. Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae.