Mold Remediation is a process of eliminating mold or mildew in the home. It commonly includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:
- a) Visual Inspection – Identifying places in a home with mold or mildew.
- b) Hiring Mold Remediation Professionals – Qualified mold remediation companies provide excellent customer service.
- c) Eliminating Mold or Mildew – Using products to eliminate mold or mildew.
Mold remediation may cost anywhere between $6,000 and $15,500 on average, depending on the extent of the problem. Mold remediation should not be confused with water mitigation services. Remember water came first that damaged your homes floors, walls, and cabinets. You would not have mold if you did not have water. The process of mold remediation is cleaning surfaces, prevent the spread of mold and protecting the occupants in the process. Water Mitigation is controlling the climate with dehumidifiers, airmovers and removing of water damaged materials to mitigation the situation back to a normal dry standard. The cost of water mitigation should not be included in your mold remediation estimate since they are a completely different issue. Many factors affect the total cost of remediating a mold problem.
The price can estimate the problem’s size, but it should not be a crucial factor in determining how serious the issue is. It is essential to realize that the actual cost of remediation depends on what is done and how much time, effort, and money is put into solving the problem. Average cost of mold remediation should be considered when purchasing a homeowner policy. Most insurance policies only have $10,000 of limited mold coverage and it could be increased by asking your insurance agent for more coverage of $25,000 or $50,000.00. Water damage cost are typically applied to your total dwelling coverage unless you selected a policy with a water damage limit or exclusion. Discuss your insurance coverages with your insurance agent.
Factors Influencing Mold Cleanup Cost
I).Location of the Mold and Mildew
The geographic location of mold or mildew affects the cost of its removal. Removing mold or mildew from a basement requires less work and costs less than removing it from an attic due to accessibility. Some areas of the house pose higher risks to health and property. This increases the cost of remediation. Concealed areas of mold or mildew are more challenging to detect than areas with visible staining.
- Basement
Finding the source of mold in a basement can be particularly difficult. The difficulty of remediating mold in a basement is because it is under the ground and requires inspection of walls, pipes, and other areas, as well as testing for spores, which may require a specialized mold removal company. Safety Issues – To safely remove mold from a basement, all safety standards must be strictly adhered to. This increases the cost of remediation in a basement.
Remediation of mold in a basement is more expensive than removing mold from another portion of the house because it requires special equipment. Another reason for a higher cost is that removing mold from a basement requires more time, and the removal process may require air sealing the area.
- Attic
Mold removal from an attic is more straightforward than removing mold from a basement. However, it is still more costly due to the amount of work involved. The primary causes of mold growth in the attic include improper ventilation and warm, damp space. This means that the longer a problem is ignored, the higher the cost.
- Concrete Walls
The average cost of removing mold from a concrete wall can fall between $1000 and $7000. The cost of remediation also depends on the nature and conditions of the concrete wall. If there are cracks or decaying portions of the wall, it could increase the cost.
Removing mold from drywall can be difficult if contaminated insulation is found behind the drywall. If there is contamination, it will lead to a higher cost. Homeowners can keep the cost of mold removal down by educating themselves on the symptoms of mold and mildew, identifying its sources, and preventing it from growing. They must also choose a qualified company to perform the remediation project.
- Air Ducts and HVAC systems
Mold and mildew can grow in air ducts and HVAC systems during the hot summer. Moisture buildup in these systems during the heating and cooling season can lead to mold growth. If a duct system is contaminated with mold, it will require complete replacement for remediation.
Remediating mold in an HVAC system often includes removing and cleaning the air ducts and vents. It is also essential to test the air in the system for mold spores. Damaged insulation or plumbing leaks in HVAC systems could increase the cost of the removal process and replacement vents.
- Outdoor areas and buildings under construction
Depending on the circumstances, the mold removal cost in an outdoor area or a building under construction may vary. An outdoor area may require a higher level of vigilance. This increases the cost of removing mold or mildew. A building under construction is a special case because the only active process during remediation is abatement, which can cause issues with workers, inspection agencies, or even insurance companies.
II).The Size of the Mold Infestation
The size of the mold infestation can make a difference in the total cost. The larger the area affected, the more time and effort are required to perform remediation. A bigger problem also means more items must be removed from the affected areas, increasing costs.
III).The Number of Mold Spores
Some locations are more difficult to clean than others, which can affect the cost. Areas like ceilings, walls behind furniture, and under rugs require special equipment to inspect or remove. Specialized equipment also increases the total cost of remediation. The entire mold cost can also be influenced by the time needed to remove mold or mildew.
IV).Cost of Mold Remediation Methods
Organic/Synthetic Mold Remediation Methods
Most remediations of mold start with a choice between chemical and organic methods. Chemicals, or synthetic methods, are often more expensive than organic methods because they are more effective. However, it should be noted that chemical solutions can still remove mold from a property. Organic methods are also more environmentally friendly because they do not harm the surrounding area.
Mold Removal Systems
Intermittent drying systems include things like fans, heaters, and dehumidifiers. These tools can help to lower the moisture level in walls, floors, and other areas affected by mold or mildew. Fungi will not be able to take hold in these areas.
Preparing a Mold Remediation Plan
To effectively remove mold, it is necessary to define the problem’s extent and determine whether remediation should be done on a small or large scale. The remediation process has three primary phases: inspection, cleaning, and remediation.
1).Inspection
First, a thorough inspection should be done to inspect the entire area for possible mold growth. In a small apartment, however, it should be sufficient to check the affected area. In addition to the visual inspection carried out by the homeowner, it is also necessary for a professional industrial hygienist and environmental scientist to do a more thorough analysis.
2).Clean Up
Depending on the extent of the problem, it is necessary to clean up some areas that have become contaminated by mold and mildew. Cleaning can include removing dust and other particulate matter, which may contain spores of molds. It is also necessary to disinfect the surface of any materials that may have been affected by decay or mildew. This removes spores and reduces the chance of further growth and contamination. It can be done using bleach, chlorine, alcohol, and other cleaning agents.
3).Remediation
After the cleaning process is complete, the next step is applying an appropriate treatment to eliminate the remaining mold or mildew on a surface. Remediation of mold or mildew on surfaces can be done in the following ways:
As mentioned above, remediating mold or mildew depends on the extent of the problem. Small amounts can be removed by simply applying a surface disinfectant. In case of small amounts of mold or mildew, removing the material is sufficient, and giving out some basic cleaning instructions. The owners should be instructed to employ general cleaning measures like vacuuming and wiping surfaces with soap and water. If the extent of the problem is significant, however, it is wise to call a mold removal business, which will be able to treat the entire area.
Mold Insurance Claim
A homeowner’s most significant expense is repairing or replacing damaged property. Mold remediation can cause headaches and a lot of stress for the homeowner. It is essential to protect oneself against these expenses financially. Home insurance companies cover damage caused by mold. A homeowner can choose to indemnify against damage claims or to receive reimbursement for specific costs. If the damage is minor, such as limited water damage, in some cases, a homeowner’s policy will cover mold and mildew removal.
Find an Adjuster
In the event of an insurance claim, a homeowner can seek the help of a mold claim adjuster to solve property damage issues. This can be done by checking the different insurance policies available and choosing the one with the highest possible coverage.
In the case of mold contamination, an insurer will reimburse for the following costs, among many others:
Hazardous Materials Removal and Cleanup
In some instances, removal and cleanup of hazardous materials caused by mold can be covered by homeowners insurance.
Replacement of Property
If the mold damage is so extensive that it affects the structural integrity of a home, then the insurer will pay for property replacement. This type of insurance is applicable only if there is no other way to save the affected property.
Replacement Cost
A homeowners insurance policy may also reimburse the homeowner for replacing a damaged item or portion of their home. The homeowner is compensated for the replacement cost if it is impossible to repair.
Review Your Adjuster
It is important to remember that in the case of an insurance claim, the insurer will hire an adjuster. An adjuster is a person who is hired to determine if a claim should be paid or not. In most cases, the adjuster works for the insurer, not the homeowner. For this reason, knowing your adjuster and receiving information about them is essential. A homeowner needs to perform an adjuster review to air their concerns after the claims process is complete. Adjuster reviews assist future claimants in choosing the best adjuster from the list of available adjusters.