Be wary of mold contractors

[Guest guest]

Be wary of mold contractors

Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL

Bradley | the Associated Press

Posted June 18, 2006

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/home/orl-

moldkill06jun18,0,663605.story?coll=orl-shoppinghg-headlinesforthe

Chances are you have never heard of " mold remediation. " Most

homeowners haven't.

Should you be among unfortunate homeowners familiar with the label,

you never want to hear the expensive, time-consuming, complicated

term again.

You may eventually come face to face with airborne molds if you live

along hurricane pathways or experience even minor water invasion

from leaky pipes, windows or gutters. The term is worth knowing.

Mold remediators are experts who work on-site to rid homes of this

omnipresent problem once household mold has been identified.

Often clad in spore-tight clothing and respirators and armed with

high-tech gear as well as assorted equipment from drying agents to

pry bars and saws, this new contractor industry sprang up quickly

once the health risks of mold became clear.

But the niche business carries " buyer beware " caveats.

States such as Texas have moved to oversee the mold remediation

business to assure taxpayers that firms they hire to remove harmful

molds meet minimal requirements to get the job done.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has licensed mold

remediation firms since May 2004. The department Web site lists 152

licensed contractors to serve the entire state. With Hurricane Rita

causing tens of millions of dollars in water damage, the market for

mold assistance is huge.

In addition to certifying a company's mold-removal skills, Texas

requires the homeowner be given a certificate of " mold damage

remediation " by the contractor. It verifies the work has been

completed in accordance with state guidelines.

Of course, the removal of mold is no guarantee it won't return. If

the homeowner doesn't remedy a leak or water source or keep humidity

levels to mold-unfriendly levels, chances are good mold will return.

It is virtually impossible to remove molds because the spores are

airborne and thus always present.

Consumers should check state department of health Web sites or call

local health departments with questions about mold remediation or

recommended firms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information

on mold remediation and general mold information but does not list

mold remediation by state.

[Guest guest]

I so agree KC,

This is true the Broward Court house was so called cleaned it's not and I pray I

never have to go there again Thank You I don't feel so bad any longer when I try

to tell them the building need to come down. It has the Tile ceiling no way you

can clean mold and Toxin from that I call it money lost.

Brain Fog.

Elvira

[] Be wary of mold contractors

Be wary of mold contractors

Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL

Bradley | the Associated Press

Posted June 18, 2006

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/home/orl-

moldkill06jun18,0,663605.story?coll=orl-shoppinghg-headlinesforthe

Chances are you have never heard of " mold remediation. " Most

homeowners haven't.

Should you be among unfortunate homeowners familiar with the label,

you never want to hear the expensive, time-consuming, complicated

term again.

You may eventually come face to face with airborne molds if you live

along hurricane pathways or experience even minor water invasion

from leaky pipes, windows or gutters. The term is worth knowing.

Mold remediators are experts who work on-site to rid homes of this

omnipresent problem once household mold has been identified.

Often clad in spore-tight clothing and respirators and armed with

high-tech gear as well as assorted equipment from drying agents to

pry bars and saws, this new contractor industry sprang up quickly

once the health risks of mold became clear.

But the niche business carries " buyer beware " caveats.

States such as Texas have moved to oversee the mold remediation

business to assure taxpayers that firms they hire to remove harmful

molds meet minimal requirements to get the job done.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has licensed mold

remediation firms since May 2004. The department Web site lists 152

licensed contractors to serve the entire state. With Hurricane Rita

causing tens of millions of dollars in water damage, the market for

mold assistance is huge.

In addition to certifying a company's mold-removal skills, Texas

requires the homeowner be given a certificate of " mold damage

remediation " by the contractor. It verifies the work has been

completed in accordance with state guidelines.

Of course, the removal of mold is no guarantee it won't return. If

the homeowner doesn't remedy a leak or water source or keep humidity

levels to mold-unfriendly levels, chances are good mold will return.

It is virtually impossible to remove molds because the spores are

airborne and thus always present.

Consumers should check state department of health Web sites or call

local health departments with questions about mold remediation or

recommended firms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information

on mold remediation and general mold information but does not list

mold remediation by state.

[Guest guest]

I think that a lot of homeowners and landlords are desperate to end a mold

problem but they are often unwilling to do what it takes to end water

intrusion and the ongoing problems it brings. Mold remediation can and often

is pursued successfully but an equally if not more important [art of this

picture is ending whatever got the mold there in the first place

permanently. This may mean detective work.. and in some situations, making

hard decisions on whether a structure is ever going to be able to be

remediated, if, say, it was built in the wrong place or in the wrong way to

begin with..

Another point that often comes up is that NO one test can ever 'prove' a

problem has been solved.. Its just ONE data point..

However, OFTEN a single test can show uneqivocably that there is a serious

problem..