Mold infestation can hurt the happiness and health of your family. Untreated mold contamination can cause long-lasting neurological damage to your loved ones as they unknowingly breathe in these dangerous mold spores. Those with allergy sensitivities and asthma can encounter dangerous lung and respiratory illnesses once in contact with mold. Still others may experience symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome after breathing in mold spores. These dire consequences make mold removal and mold remediation is imperative.

Mold is a particularly dangerous foe because of its insidious nature. After all, you eat mold on cheese and they make sprays for bathroom mold so how bad could it be? Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security; there is a very fine line between an acceptable amount of mold spores in the air in your home and a dangerous amount. Understanding how to test this and what the difference between the two levels is will be the job of your mold removal contractor. He or she has the right equipment and understands the subtleties of mold testing.
Once your mold removal contractor has finished a visual and technical scan of your home or building using specialized equipment to test the air, he or she will discuss the findings with you. There are generally three findings that could be the result of the testing:

1. Your mold removal contractor will find acceptable levels of mold in your home and will not suggest any removal.
2. Your mold removal contractor will find high levels of mold and will discuss removal procedures and options.
3. Your mold removal contractor will find mold encompassing a very large area of your home and will suggest mold remediation.

Mold remediation is the careful, sanitary, and contained method of removing large areas of mold from a home, building, or other large area. If your home is found to be free of dangerous levels of airborne mold spores, congratulations! You and your family now know for sure that your home is as safe as you want it to be and does not contain a hidden danger in mold. If your mold removal contractor does find mold and suggests either mold removal or mold remediation, it is understandable if your first feelings are not of relief but instead of concern and fear. Allow yourself comfort in the knowledge that your mold removal contractor is an experienced professional who understands the process of mold removal and mold remediation and will use his or her experience to make your home safe. Once your mold removal contractor has determined whether mold removal or mold remediation is right for you, he or she will begin the process. If you are having mold remediation, you may be asked to leave your home while the mold removal occurs. Whether you leave or are permitted to stay, certain measures will be taken to contain the spores and prevent them from moving freely throughout your home. The process of mold removal is a specialized procedure requiring professional equipment. Some of the equipment your mold removal contractor will use includes:

• A polyethylene sheet for containment.
• A shop vacuum for wet vacuuming.
• A scrubbing brush for surface mold removal.
• A steam cleaner for deep layers of mold.
• A HEPA vacuum to protect against mold spores becoming airborne.

Mold removal and mold remediation are not just specialized arts-they are also highly technical sciences. Allowing your local mold removal contractor to come in and test your home and then to follow up with any necessary mold removal or mold remediation is not just smart, it’s the safest option there is. The loss of important family artifacts and expensive furniture is just one side effect of a well-meaning homeowner’s attempt to handle his or her own mold removal. The impaired health of the inexperienced homeowner who tries to handle his or her own mold removal as well as the possibility of lingering mold lurking in HVAC systems, under carpets, behind wallpaper and behind drywall, are others. Don’t risk the health and mental well-being of your pets and loved ones. Call your local mold removal contractor and make sure that your home is as safe as it appears on the surface.