Do I Need a Mold Inspector or a Mold Remediation Company?

Homeowners with water damage or signs of mold exposure may struggle to decide whether they need a mold inspector or a mold remediation company.  At Dutch's Mold Inspections &Remediation Services, we do both. If you are certain you have a mold issue, you may be able to skip the testing/inspection and move onto the mold remediation process. The mold inspection process can reveal hidden problems and help you create a plan to make your home safe again. Many home inspectors perform mold inspections but refer out the mold removal process, and many mold remediation/removal companies don't perform mold testing, so it's not unreasonable that you may be confused. Here is some basic info to help you get started:

Certified Mold Inspection vs. Mold Testing

Mold inspection is the process of assessing your home or building, identifying the location of mold, and taking tests to determine the extent of mold present. We send the tests to a certified mold testing laboratory for analysis. With a mold inspection, you get a full report of the findings and our remediation recommendations. Mold remediation is the process of removing and eliminating the mold from the home. Often, this involves improving ventilation in the area to prevent moisture from building up again.

Dutch's Mold Inspections & Mold Remediation performs both mold inspections and mold removal. Most mold inspectors that don't perform mold remediation will tell you that they don't do mold removal because they don't want to appear partial to the mold inspection or mold testing results.

However, it's our experience that it's the costs of becoming certified in mold remediation, the training each year to maintain your certification in mold remediation, the mold remediation equipment, the liability and the cost of mold remediation insurance that keep most mold inspectors from getting into the mold remediation business.  The inspection is the simpler of the two services, which is why the mold testing costs much less than the mold remediation.

What is Mold and Do I Have to Worry About it?

You don't have to worry about all mold. Mold on your bread or growing on expired food products is unlikely to cause respiratory illnesses.  Mold spores are a common component of dust in your home and in your workplace. However, when spores are present in large quantities, they are a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

Read our blog posts over the years to determine if you're at risk or showing symptoms of mold exposure.

Black Mold or Toxic Mold

The term "toxic mold" or "black mold" refers to molds that produce mycotoxins, such as Stachybotrys chartarum, not to all molds.  Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and, in some cases, death. Prolonged exposure, e.g., daily workplace exposure, can be particularly harmful.

If you've found mold in your home, a mold inspection is the simplest way to determine whether it's harmful, how to remove it (if applicable), and how to prevent it from recurring. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about mold and its potential health risks, or contact us.

Dutch's Mold Inspection and Remediation is Ready to Help

Once you have had a certified mold inspector (please make sure they're certified) perform a mold inspection and send your samples to a lab, you will get your results fairly quickly. If you find out the mold in your home poses a health risk, you'll want a mold removal company certified in mold remediation to handle the removal process. There is no license in mold inspection or mold remediation in Ohio, so if a mold inspector or a mold removal company is saying they are licensed, that could be a red flag. Dutch’s Mold Inspection and Remediation is certified and ready to help you make your home healthy and safe for you and your family.

Got questions or need to schedule your mold inspection?

Send us an email or give us a call:

mark@dutchinspects.com
Call 440-748-4660