Mold remediation scams are nearly as common as mold itself. They claim to restore mold damage but actually cover it up with paint and sealers.

Property owners must take care to avoid mold remediation scams. These companies will demand money without really restoring the situation. 

Read on to learn more about mold remediation scams and what signs to look out for.

What is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the cleaning and removal of mold-infested areas. A thorough cleaning requires a professional to remove mold colonies from your home and ensure they don’t come back.

Below are the most common signs of mold infestation. If you’re experiencing any of these, don’t hesitate to involve experts:

• Water damage
• Leaks and cracks
• Visible mold and mildew
• Rust
• Warped materials

How Long Does Mold Remediation Take?

The procedure usually takes one to five days. The duration depends on the mold’s nature, how long it has colonized that area, the infested material’s nature, and its location in your home.

What to Expect from a Professional Mold Remediation Service

Every mold situation is unique, but unlike mold remediation scams, professionals will always carry out a thorough process that prevents future issues.

Here are the procedures you should expect from a reputable professional mold remediation service provider like ONEighty Solutions.

Locating the Water Problem

The first step is to identify the water problem causing mold development. Moisture enables the growth of mold spores, so neglecting the source will cause the mold to return.

Isolation

Once the water source is eliminated, the professionals will isolate the infested areas to prevent mold from spreading around your home.

Professional remediation services will contain the area by covering all openings. Next, we seal them with plastic sheeting to provide extra protection, controlling the environment with the proper equipment, like HEPA air filtration devices. 

Mold spores contaminate the air and can be very dangerous to inhale, so we will contain all the affected areas to halt the spread of dust particles containing spores.

Extraction of Damaged Materials

Some, but not all, porous surfaces infested with mold need to be removed from your home. That might mean extracting carpets, drywall, or insulation, depending on your situation. 

The team at ONEighty Solutions will carefully handle the affected materials to prevent the spread of mold spores.

Cleaning

After ridding your home of mold-affected materials, the remediation team will spray the area with special chemicals to stop the mold from returning. Next, we clean all porous and non-porous spaces to remove spores.

Drying

All treated materials must dry out to remove moisture. Our professional mold remediation service uses special techniques to make sure the materials are dried without spreading spores. It is critical to not put forced air in the area to dry it out, since this will spread spores throughout the structure.  

Our proprietary Biosweep process is unique in that while it runs it can assist in drying out the structure while cleaning the air.

Biosweep’s purification technology is proven to reduce or even eliminate residual mold and other odor-causing organisms. Whether it’s used for less-complicated applications or as part of the restoration, tear down, and replacement, Biosweep finishes the job smoothly and safely.

Discarding Damaged Materials

Often, during mold remediation situations, professionals cannot salvage certain materials. Property owners often have to replace carpets or drywall to keep the mold out.

Inspections & Preventive Recommendations 

At the end of the process, our experts will inspect the area to verify the operation’s success. Mold restoration is completed with tips on preventing mold infestations from returning. 

What to Expect from a Mold Remediation Scam

Identifying a mold remediation scam can take time and effort, as the company may resemble more reputable providers. Often, the only sign of a scam is the failed remediation.

Professional mold remediation companies that understand the dangers of mold growth will significantly reduce the mold levels present in your home. In contrast, remediation scams will promise to rid your home of mold permanently or even make “KILL CLAIMS”!

Mold is present in the air in safe amounts; as a result, it is only possible to cleanse your home of mold particles, not to completely get rid of it. 

Use these as red flags when assessing your mold remediation options:

• They use heat to kill the mold instead of removing it. 
• They won’t or can’t provide any references.
• They offer free mold testing – that process requires money, and businesses are only willing to do it for a fee.
• They ask for the entire payment upfront. Usually, contractors offer a fair payment plan, like 25% on the first day, 25% when the job’s done, and 50% when an independent third-party contractor confirms that your home’s mold level is safe. However, payment plans may differ across companies.
• They lack certifications from reputable mold remediation organizations like the  Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Professional Mold Inspection Institute (PMII), the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI), and the Mold Inspection Consulting and Remediation Organization (MICRO).
• They do not agree to work with a certified third-party inspector to determine the quality of the job.
• They don’t put everything in writing.
• They hide mold by covering it up with a dark-colored sealant. Mold remediation scams may attempt to use dark-colored adhesive in favor of a clear one to trick the inspector into assessing them incorrectly.

You’re not alone if you are worried about falling for a mold remediation scam. ONEighty Solutions is an IICRC-certified mold remediation company. Our team of specialists uses unique technologies and equipment to tackle mold infestations.

Contact us today. We’re always happy to help!