If you’ve experienced significant water damage, you may have noticed a lot of mould growth in the aftermath. After all, mould needs three things to grow: moisture, air, and a source of food (like building materials) – and when the floodwaters strike, no matter how guarded against moisture you are, the third ingredient has been added. Once the call to your insurance company has been made, you know it’s time to deal with the mould, but where do you start?
People often don’t think about the work that goes into the process and think it’s as simple as doing a quick Internet search and phoning the first person on the list—believe me, it’s not!
This is where you don’t just call the first person on the Google page. An excellent place to start is by asking some of your local friends and family if they have used a specific company and if they were satisfied with the work. As a contractor, I always found that the best advertising was word of mouth.
Once you’ve assembled a short list from your friends, look for companies online. Here’s where you’ll want to examine ratings and online reviews carefully. See what people are saying about the company (if anything), and start adding any promising-looking companies to your list.
Call up as many remediation companies as possible. I’ve often said that it can take more time to find the right specialist than to complete the project itself. This is especially true for mould remediation, which can risk your family’s health.
Be wary of a specialist who can start a job immediately. While cancellations do occur, any specialist who has their schedule wide open may not be the best choice—and it’s worth a hard look before you sign any agreement.
If your neighbourhood experienced a big flood, and mould is a problem for many homes – beware of the door-to-door mould remediation specialist. They may seem like your angel sent from above, but they could be a devil in disguise. Even in a natural disaster, don’t skimp on doing your homework before hiring. It can save you an even bigger headache in the future!
Once you’ve got your list of specialists, it’s time to put them to the test. You’ll want to ask them a few questions to gauge their abilities and determine if they will make it right for you. Did you know that even the pros use Concrobium Mould Control to kill mould? If you’re a fan of the product, you may even consider asking your specialist to use something you trust.
You want to know that your mediation specialists will be testing your air. Doing an air quality test before remediation will help them find the source of the mould, and performing the test afterwards will help ensure they’ve properly dealt with the issue.
You want your team to be adequately insured and ensure they keep their employees safe by requiring all necessary protective gear. This protects the specialists and helps prevent mould spores from spreading to other areas of the home. It’s important.
Sometimes, even the best can miss something, but if a company is reputable, they’ll guarantee their work, and if you have any mould issues come up because they missed something, they’ll take care of it.
A company that won’t provide references from past customers is a huge red flag to me. You want to talk to previous clients to find out if the company truly stands behind its work. If they don’t, move on to the next name on your list.
Once you’ve researched, asked the right questions, and are satisfied with the answers, it’s time to hire your pro. As tempting as it is to rush, especially in the aftermath of a big disaster, ensuring it will be done right is worth your time and effort.
Remember, a specialist MUST deal with mould growth that exceeds 10 square feet. It’s not a DIY job.
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We specialize in building custom homes and renovations in the picturesque Sea-to-Sky Corridor, including Whistler, Squamish, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Pemberton.
