Save Money by Fighting Small MoldMold remediation is expensive.  Between equipment costs, time lost to repair and dehumidification, and the cost of actively replacing and rebuilding portions of your home, it is not small task.  But if the infestation is small enough, you can take steps to clean it up yourself.  The same is true of water damage from dripping pipes or small roofing leaks (though the latter two will still require some expense spent on home repairs).

Cleaning Mold on Your Own

First off, identify the size of the infestation.  If it’s a small area creeping in a cupboard underneath a sink or just behind an appliance, it may not be much of an issue.  Unfortunately, what first appears to be a small problem can, upon further inspection, lead to more mold hidden behind wallpaper or behind wood paneling.  If you can swipe from one end of the mold growth to the other without having to step sideways, then it’s small enough to deal with on your own.

If you’re allergic to mold or suffer from asthma, get someone to help you clean up the mold.  Even if you aren’t, you’ll want to get a mask or respirator.  You’ll also need rubber gloves for cleaning.  Your cleaning materials aren’t the danger here, the mold spores are.  Without knowing exactly what kind of mold you’re dealing with, it’s difficult to know what kind of danger it poses.  A mask and gloves will keep spores from reacting to your lungs and skin.

Use warm water mixed with detergent to clear the mold away.  Once the surface is clean, rinse it thoroughly and immediately dry the area.  Leave a fan running in the room to keep fresh air circulating, forcing water evaporation and making the area inhospitable to future mold growth.  Dispose of any sponges and rags used to clean up the mold.  They’ll be harboring spores and it’s easier to replace them than to clean them out.

Absorbent and porous materials are extremely difficult to save once infested with mold, and they’re often not worth the effort.  If you can, replace them immediately.  If part of your repair required or involved damage to drywall, replace any infected drywall.  Be sure to fix the source of water that lead to the damage so there is not a repeat occurrence.

Hiring a Professional

If the mold is spread too far to be handled with a simple clean-up, then it’s time to call in professionals.  When you’re looking for mold remediation specialists, you can save on cost and future headaches by doing a little advanced research.

Take a look at the company’s BBB rating and customer reviews.  Stuff happens, but this will let you see just how a company responds to their clients.  We want to keep our customers happy so we do what we can to reach out when there’s a problem.

The cost of your repair is going to be based on the size of your home and the amount of damage present.  There are a few places where you can cut corners without issues, however.  Take, for example, mold infesting space within a wall.  Rather than going through expensive bathroom tile (so long as the tile grout and space behind the tile has not been infected) find a company that’s willing to go through the drywall on the other side.

Of course, the most important thing to keep in mind is insurance.  You want to find a mold remediation company that works directly with your insurance provider to provide services they will cover.  Many companies are used to dealing with specific providers and can help find ways to have the project paid for while still delivering service provided you have insurance that covers the cost.


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