Mold in your home is a serious issue that needs to be resolved quickly. Extensive exposure to mold can lead to serious health issues. It will also diminish the value of your home significantly if it is not removed. If you have discovered mold in your home, you need to book a professional service to resolve the problem. But just how much does removal and mold remediation cost?
Well, the overall cost of mold removal services is dependent on several key factors, such as:
- Type of mold present
- Amount of mold
- Size of the home
- Areas affected by the mold
Of course, the sooner you catch mold growth, the easier and less expensive it will be to get rid of. The best course of action is to have your house tested for mold before or right after you move in. You should also schedule a mold sample test if you see or smell any signs of mildew in your home.
If there are even trace amounts of mold in your home, you will want to have it removed. But before we dive into the removal and mold remediation cost, let’s explain what these processes are.
What’s the Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?
Mold is a type of fungi that thrives in moist, dark areas. It commonly grows in hidden spots, like in basements, behind drywall, or around pipes. Mold is spread through tiny spores which can be released in the air and attach onto new surfaces, like carpets, clothes, or walls.
The main reason that mold needs to be removed is that it can be dangerous and destructive if it is not taken care of. These mold spores can enter the lungs as they fly through the air, causing health issues like allergies and respiratory problems. Extensive mold growth can also ruin the furniture or structure in your home.
Mold removal focuses on cleaning these spores to stop the spread of mold. This is done with chemicals such as chlorine bleach, which kills mold upon contact. Professional mold removal services will also clear out items that are completely infested with mold, such as carpets, which cannot be cleaned easily.
Mold remediation, on the other hand, is a multi-step process that focuses on discovering and controlling the source of the mold. The goal here is to stop mold from the ever-growing back – and the only way this is possible is to determine the source and make changes.
These two services go hand-in-hand, and removal is part of the remediation process. Remember that mold can start to grow back in as little as three days, even after a thorough cleaning! So, unless you get to the source of the issue, you could soon face a mold infestation once again.
What is the Process of Mold Remediation?
The very first step of mold remediation is a mold assessment, which involves locating and testing the infested areas. Mold remediation technicians will mark off all of the spots where mold has been found and determine which types are present. Toxic molds will require safety precautions, as breathing in the spores could lead to health issues.
Next, inspectors will locate the source of the mold growth. Typically, there is an issue with humidity or moisture which causes mold to form. This could be a leaking pipe or a poorly insulated wall. In some cases, something as simple as high levels of moisture in the air from a humidifier has been the source of the mold problem!
Next, the mold remediation team will get to work to remove and (if needed) start demolition on the infested areas. This could involve taking down carpet, plywood, sheetrock, wood floors, ceiling tiles, and furniture.
Then, the area will be thoroughly cleaned with mold-killing chemical treatments to take out any remaining spores. In some cases, more intensive treatments are used such as UV light, fogs, blasting, and structural pasteurization to ensure that all of the mold is exterminated.
The remediation process then begins as the source of the mold growth is corrected. This involves resealing any openings which allow moisture to seep in, and it may require renovations or plumbing services.
Once this is completed, the mold remediation team will inspect the area once again to test for any remaining mold or other air quality issues. Once the samples have been collected, tested, and cleared, the remediation process is complete!
How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?
So now to the main question: how much will mold remediation cost? Well, this depends on a number of factors, as we mentioned before. The price will vary on the size of the area and the level of mold infestation. Unfortunately, providing a solid price point without inspecting the situation is impossible. The cost to remove mold will vary from case to case.
To get an accurate price, it is recommended that you reach out to a mold remediation service that provides a free estimate. This may require an initial appointment and inspection so a technician can assess the scope of the work.
How Can I Pay for Mold Remediation?
If there is a lot of damage or the entire home or building requires remediation, the total cost could be thousands of dollars – if not more. No one is expecting mold in their home, and few people have money budgeted for this expense. Thankfully, there are some options to make this more affordable.
Here at Greenworks, we offer PayPal credit financing for our customers. Any purchases over $99 are interest-free over the first 6 months upon credit approval. This allows homeowners to divvy up the cost into smaller payments.
Mold in your home is extremely dangerous. We believe victims should always have options to get rid of it. No one should elect to just “live” with toxic mold because they cannot afford to get rid of it.
Does Insurance Cover Mold Remediation?
In some cases, your home insurance policy will cover some or all of the costs of mold remediation. However, some caveats could prevent coverage.
Unless you have a specific policy that specifies coverage for mold, you will need to prove that the source of the growth is covered in your policy. For instance, if you have coverage for the plumbing in your house and a leaking pipe causes mold, you can likely get insurance to pay for mold remediation. Or, if mold starts to grow after your basement floods during a storm, your insurance company may cover it.
However, if the mold is determined to be the cause of homeowner negligence, you will likely have to pay for it out of pocket. For example, if the homeowner knew about a leak or mildew issue and waited to have it removed, they may forfeit their coverage.
It is always best to reach out to your insurance company to see whether or not they provide mold remediation coverage.
While hindsight is always 2020, we strongly recommend that all homeowners prioritize mold remediation when they buy insurance. Even if the premiums are more expensive, it is pennies compared to the cost of removal if the problem is severe – not to mention the impact it has on your health.
Do You Need Mold Remediation and Removal?
If you’ve got mold in your home, workplace, or any building, you need to have it safely removed as soon as possible. You should never let mold remediation costs hold you back from getting these services. After all, the health of you and your family is on the line!
GreenWorks takes a scientific approach to mold remediation and removal. No matter how complex your problem might be, you can rest assured we’ll get it taken care of the right way.
If you have any questions about the estimated price of mold remediation, removal, inspection, or testing, please reach out to GreenWorks. Our team of experts will answer all of your questions. We have helped thousands of homeowners in the Wall Township, NJ area safely get rid of their mold problems. Let us help you, too!
