So, you’re dealing with mold, and you’re wondering what the steps are in the mold removal process. Can you do it yourself? Do you have to hire a professional to do it? What do they do? How long would they be in your house? Can you still live your normal life while they’re removing the mold?
All these questions and more are answered right here, by an actual professional mold removal company: Cleaner Guys! Read on to learn what to expect from the mold removal process.
Table of Contents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Step 1: The First Visit (or Two)
- Step 2: Removal of Moldy Materials
- Step 3: Killing the Mold and Cleaning
- Step 4: Full Restoration
- Step 5: Job Completion and Billing
- More Resources
- If You Need Mold Removal in Western Washington State
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get Rid of the Mold Myself?
Sometimes, yes, but most of the time, no. Mold is a fungus that roots deeply into whatever material it’s growing on. That means that no matter how small the area of mold you can see is, it almost certainly spreads much further under the surface.
We recommend that if the area of mold you can see is smaller than 1 square foot, you may be able to safely clean it yourself. Click here to learn more about ways you can clean mold yourself.
However, if the mold covers more than 1 square foot, we highly recommend leaving the mold removal process to a professional mold removal company. Mold can make you sick, and it can spread further if you don’t know how to remove it and treat the area properly. Mold removal specialists are trained and certified on how to remove mold effectively, and they have special equipment and chemicals to do it. It’s usually best to leave it up to them.
Click here to learn about how to choose a trustworthy mold removal company.
Can I Keep Living In My House While the Mold is Being Removed?
Most of the time, the answer is yes! In our 20+ years of experience at Cleaner Guys, mold usually only affects one area before it’s caught. Depending on how bad the mold is, you may or may not still have use of that one area while we’re cleaning it up. For example, if the mold is only in your attic or your crawlspace, you’ll be able to live in your home just fine while we get rid of it. However, if the mold is in a high-traffic area like a bathroom or a bedroom, you may not want to use the area until the mold is gone. This can be inconvenient, since the homeowner may need to temporarily use a different room. However, in these cases, the homeowner can still live in their house during mold removal. They just might not have use of the damaged room.
How Long Does the Mold Removal Process Take?
How long mold removal takes is entirely dependent on the extent of the damage. We’ve had mold jobs where the mold had not spread very far at all, and the entire job was done within a week. But we’ve had many other jobs where the mold affects several rooms, and even multiple floors in the home. Restoring more extensive damage like this can take months.
What are They Going to Do?
The basic outline of most mold removal is simple: remove all the materials affected by the mold, sanitize the area to make sure mold doesn’t come back, and replace the removed materials with new materials.
However, for those who want a more thorough step-by-step walkthrough of exactly what to expect, we’ve laid out a complete breakdown below. Not every mold removal company has the same process, but these are the basic necessary steps, based on Cleaner Guys’ process.
Step 1: The First Visit (or Two)
The very first thing that will happen when you call a mold removal company is an initial inspection. An estimator from the company will come out to your property, assess the damage, and use measurements to estimate how long it will take them to restore your damage and about how much it will cost.
The first visit will also usually include some paperwork, such as signing a waiver allowing the company permission to work on your home. Insurance will also usually be discussed, if applicable. A good restoration company will also take lots of photos of the damage on the first visit, for documentation and before-and-afters.
Sometimes, work will also start on the first visit. This may include containing the damaged area with plastic sheeting and protective mats, and taking samples of the damaged materials to test for asbestos and other potentially dangerous substances. However, in some cases, this work will be started on the second visit.
Step 2: Removal of All Moldy Materials
Once the mold-damaged area has been contained, the next stage of the mold removal process is to, well… remove the mold. This usually starts with removing all contents like furniture and personal items from the area and storing them safely. Then the moldy drywall is torn out, and sometimes flooring, carpet, trim, and cabinetry, if they have mold too. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the scope of the damage.
Step 3: Killing the Mold and Cleaning
Once the moldy materials are removed, a mold-killing solution must be sprayed thoroughly across the entire area to ensure that all the mold is killed and that it won’t come back. This solution must be left to dry for anywhere from hours to a day or two. Some restoration companies do not do the next step, but at Cleaner Guys, after the mold removal solution has done its job, we do another final thorough cleaning. After that, the area is ready for restoration.
Step 4: Full Restoration
Once the mold has all been killed and the area is clean, restoration can begin! This stage includes replacing any drywall, flooring, tile, trim, cabinetry, etc. that was removed earlier. This is the stage at which you will consult with your restoration company about whether you want everything restored exactly as it was, or if you have the budget to upgrade any replacement materials. Many of our clients at Cleaner Guys choose to use their budget to turn their catastrophe into an opportunity to upgrade or remodel the damaged area with new, different materials.
Typically, the restoration company will take care of ordering all materials. They’ll either pick them up locally or bring them in once they’ve shipped and been delivered.
How long it takes to fully restore a home depends entirely on the amount of materials being replaced, whether the materials must be shipped in, and how much man labor will be required to get the job done.
Step 5: Job Completion and Billing
Once restoration is complete, all equipment, tools, and material scraps will be removed, and any temporarily moved furniture will be put back. A good restoration company will do a final thorough cleaning of the entire space, and take final photo documentation.
Different restoration companies do billing differently. You may receive your invoice through the mail or email, typically within a week of job completion. If an insurance claim was filed, your insurance company will usually be CC’d on your invoice.
More Resources
Read this article to know if you chose a trustworthy restoration company. ➜
Can water damage cause mold? How fast? Read this article next to find out. ➜
Can mold make you sick? Learn what you need to know here. ➜
What happens if you touch mold? Learn about the 3 things you’re silently triggering here. ➜
If You Need Mold Removal in Western Washington State…
If you need professional mold inspection or mold removal near Mount Vernon WA, consider Cleaner Guys as a high-quality, well-trusted option. We’re proud to boast award-winning customer service, honest pricing, and top-quality workmanship. Call us today at (360)757-4300.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. No part of this article is medical or legal advice, and may not be used as such. For all serious medical matters, consult your doctor. For all serious legal matters, consult your legal advisor. This article contains Cleaner Guys’ experience and opinions only.
