Finding mold is something no home or business owner really wants to face. The unfortunate reality is that it does happen. Most times, there is little you can do to stop it from happening. When you do find mold, mold removal services will be critical to restoring the health of your space.
Many people think that mold testing is required before you can remove the mold. While testing will help to identify a specific type of mold, you can likely have removal completed without the testing.
In this guide, we will share more about what mold testing is and whether you can proceed with removal without testing protocols.
Mold Testing
Mold testing is used to identify a specific type of mold. The process requires collecting samples of the mold and sending it to an approved lab to review it further. The lab can then distinguish whether this is an allergenic mold, toxigenic mold, or pathogenic mold. Most removal companies can take care of remediation and removal without waiting for a testing process.
At ONEighty Solutions, we handle mold removal of all kinds. We do not provide testing, so another specialist would need to be hired for testing purposes.
While mold testing is typically used to determine a type of mold, it does sometimes have other purposes. For example, some companies may use a mold testing process to ensure that the mold is fully remediated from the area that has been treated.
Mold Removal
Mold removal will be an important step, no matter what type of mold you have. Waiting for testing will answer some questions for you, but it does not negate the need to have mold treated and removed. You should plan for removal with or without testing processes.
The removal process typically includes a full inspection by trained experts, the removal and remediation process, disinfection of all affected areas, and a final inspection. Professional companies that are trained in mold removal will know every necessary step for safety and efficiency during the process.
Mold removal requires several strategic practices to keep everyone safe. Protocols should include plans for containment, air filtration, and proper disposal of all affected materials.
The best option is to hire a trained professional to take care of this. Mold testing isn’t necessary when mold is visible. And if you use a trained professional, they generally have the training and equipment to discover the hidden mold as well.
The Risks of DIY Mold Removal
When you try to handle mold removal on your own, you run the risk of making the problem worse. The challenge is that you can easily spread the mold spores and cause mold to grow somewhere that wasn’t affected initially. You might also miss some mold as it tends to hide and camouflage. Then you will end up with a recurring mold problem that will leave you frustrated.
You expose yourself to mold spores that could potentially be harmful. For toxigenic or pathogenic molds, breathing in those spores can lead to serious illness and health ailments that could negatively impact the rest of your life.
While there are some minor cases that can be handled with DIY processes, any significant mold damages should always be treated by a professional.
Mold Inspection vs. Mold Testing
Mold inspections are not the same thing as mold testing. Every professional mold remediation company will do an inspection. The inspection is used to find the mold and determine the extent of your damage. These trained professionals will have specialized equipment that indicates where the mold is and what needs to be done.
Using what they find in the inspection, they can provide you with an estimate and a plan of action. Some professionals can pinpoint a type of mold by close inspection. However, mold is often very similar and sometimes hard to differentiate. That is where mold testing could be helpful.
Mold inspection is all about determining the extent of the damage and locating any hidden mold. Mold testing is about determining the type of mold and then testing surfaces to determine whether any mold remains following a treatment.
Is Mold Testing Required?
Different companies will have different requirements. Generally speaking, mold testing is not required in order to begin the mold removal process. It can be useful in some cases, but the removal processes can proceed without it.
Check with your mold remediation company of choice and work with them to determine whether testing is necessary or recommended. If you suspect mold but cannot see it, testing may be helpful to pinpoint whether it is truly present.
Let ONEighty Solutions Help with Mold Removal
When you find mold or suspect mold in your structure, we can help. ONEighty Solutions has extensive training in the mold removal industry. Our teams use our unique BioSweep system to help destroy mold and sanitize the space. We can work with you through the entire removal process.
Contact us today for your mold restoration needs!
