Frequently Asked Questions
Mold and Air Duct FAQs
Common questions about mold, mold testing, mold remediation, indoor air quality, and duct cleaning in Northeast Ohio.
Understanding Mold
What is mold and why does it matter?
Mold is a fungus that includes thousands of different species. It thrives in damp, warm, and humid environments and can grow in attics, crawlspaces, basements, and any moist area in the home. Mold matters because it can affect our health negatively if not dealt with properly. If you smell a musty odor, you are probably smelling mycotoxins, which are generally what adversely affects people’s health.
What does mold mean for me and my health?
There are over 100,000 mold species, and each person’s body may react differently to each mold type. The elderly, infants, young children, individuals with immune suppression, or those with underlying lung diseases may be more sensitive to mold exposure and may experience more severe symptoms. Common symptoms can include nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye or skin irritation, headaches, and in more severe cases, fever and difficulty breathing.
I think my home has mold, do I need to call a removal company?
If you suspect mold in your home, it’s wise to address it swiftly because of potential health risks. Mold isn’t always visible and can hide behind walls, under floors, or in ceilings, making it challenging to detect without professional help. For visible mold in a small area, you might manage cleaning it yourself with proper safety gear. But if there may be hidden mold, it’s wise to consult a professional mold inspection company to assess the situation and determine the extent of the infestation.
Inspection & Testing
Why do I need to have my home/business tested?
Mold is naturally occurring, and all buildings are sheltering some mold spores. Testing helps determine whether the mold levels in your home or business are elevated enough to create a safety issue, or whether your building has safe mold levels and you simply need peace of mind. For our testing, we use InstaScope, our “Lab On Wheels,” which can test numerous rooms and provide instant results.
What is your process for mold inspection and testing?
Our process starts with an initial phone consultation, followed by an onsite interview and an interior and exterior inspection. We then perform on-site air sampling and analysis for instant results, and provide an easy-to-read online Mold Assessment Report within 24 hours. If abnormal mold levels are found, we provide a remediation estimate and can move into the remediation phase.
What makes Mold & Air Duct Pros testing so special?
Mold & Air Duct Pros believes in finding the right answer in the least amount of time with the least amount of money. We use technology that can capture accurate measurements for airborne mold and bacteria in real time, generate reports on-site, and sample every room. That means instant results, less guesswork, and fewer delays compared with waiting on outside lab processing.
Remediation & Safety
What is the process for mold remediation?
Our mold remediation process starts with a free visual consultation and, when needed, a thorough mold air analysis with instant results. We protect floors and belongings, contain affected areas, use HEPA air filtration devices, perform demolition only when necessary, HEPA vacuum and disinfect contaminated surfaces, use professional-grade chemistry to bring hidden contamination to the surface, and finish with a post-remediation evaluation to verify that the mold remediation was successful.
Is it safe to stay home while my home is being treated for mold?
Most of the time it would be safe to stay in your home as long as the occupants and pets can stay away from the contained areas of the house. We take every precaution, including containment and negative air filtration devices, to make sure that all the mold spores are contained in the work area. There may be times when you’ll need to leave your home for 24 hours if we need to fumigate, or if there is no way to stay outside of the contained areas.
Choosing a Company, Pricing & Duct Cleaning
Why Choose Mold and Air Duct Pros? Or Are all mold removal companies pretty much the same?
When you are dealing with mold issues in your home, it is imperative to choose the right mold removal company to protect your home and the health of the occupants. We work hard to invest in training, supplies, and equipment so we can be more efficient and pass those savings on to our clients. When comparing companies, ask whether they offer free consultations, carry pollution insurance, test the air in the entire house, perform post-remediation testing, and stand behind their work with a strong service guarantee.
How To Avoid Duct Cleaning Scams
Don’t be a victim to the “whole house special for $99-$249” ads. Those offers often get a foot in the door and then the up-charging begins. Look for a company that follows the full NADCA process, and we highly recommend hiring a company that uses a negative air machine/process. You won’t get the same results from machines like a “Rotobrush” or “Ram Air” because they don’t have enough suction power to remove the debris from the ducts.
Why is your estimate higher or lower than your competitor?
Some contractors don’t carry pollution coverage, don’t perform mold testing of the entire structure, don’t include duct cleaning as part of the remediation process, don’t HEPA vacuum every square inch of the contaminated areas, and don’t perform post-remediation testing. Others use outdated techniques or perform unneeded demolition, which can make pricing astronomical. Mold And Air Duct Pros has developed a process that is safe, efficient, and affordable. We focus on bringing you value.
Northeast Ohio's Top Choice For Mold Removal & Air Duct Cleaning
Expert Indoor Air Quality & Property Restoration
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Providing Mold Inspection, Mold Removal & Air Duct Cleaning Services To Cuyahoga, Geauga & Lake Counties
Mold and Air Duct Pros
A Division of Cleveland Water & Fire Restoration
Solon, OH 44139
Phone: 440-467-4104
Email: help@moldandairductpros.com