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Can General Contractors Handle Mold Remediation?

As a professional mold remediation company, we often receive questions from property owners regarding whether or not their general contractors are fit to remediate the mold they found during home renovations. Many Louisiana home & business owners report that their general contractors have handled the mold issue, but they want a mold specialist to come out and double check the work. Occasionally, some general contractors have been specifically trained to perform professional mold remediation services. However, the majority of general contractors do not have significant experience effectively dealing with mold. This is not to imply that these contractors don’t have good intentions while attempting to handle a mold issue, but an improper mold remediation can lead to even more damage to the property, as well as more costly repairs.

Experience Level Required In Mold Remediation

Mold and other environmental contaminants require pollutant insurance in order to be properly licensed and insured to perform remediations. Mold technicians require extensive training, certifications and experience to ensure that they are properly educated before ever stepping foot onto a job site. Conversely, general contractors are only required to have general liability insurance. This means that the proper requirements for handling mold remediations is not present. Those who have limited experience in the mold industry usually turn to the internet for answers. The problem with this is the vast amount of misinformation regarding mold, and it can point someone in all the wrong directions. This is why it is so important that any mold issues your home is facing are handled by properly trained, certified and experienced mold industry specialists.

General contractors may not know to employ the use of containment before attempting mold remediations, specifically when it comes to the removal of contaminated building materials. Without proper containment, mold spores can become airborne and contaminate areas of the home that were previously unaffected. In many improper mold remediations, containment is often overlooked. Containment isolates the contaminated area ensuring that airborne mold spores cannot spread throughout the home. 

Choosing A Good Mold Remediation Company

You may not be sure where to start if this is the first time you are dealing with mold development in your property. It is understandable that many people would trust their general contractors when they say they can take care of it. This is why it is so important that property owners are educated on proper mold remediation procedure before going about handling the issue. Education on mold and mold services is something that every property owner should have, even just as a preventative measure. Here are some things you should be looking for when choosing your mold remediation company:

  • Qualifications: Your company should be properly licensed, certified, trained and insured to perform mold remediation services in Louisiana. There is nothing wrong with asking your mold remediation company for proof of insurance. Each employee should be thoroughly, individually trained, certified and educated in performing mold inspection and remediation services. 
  • Reviews: Check your company’s reviews and online interactions. This can give you a great idea of who you may be working with and what their reputation is like in your Louisiana community.

There are many things that set the local mold professionals in your Louisiana area apart from general contractors. While these contractors may have good intentions and try to help you with your mold remediation needs, there is a major possibility that someone lacking the proper industry knowledge and experience could potentially cause much more harm than good. It is best to leave the mold remediation to the specialists. If you’ve discovered mold in your Louisiana home, contact a local mold remediation professional to assess the damage.

Need mold remediation services in the Acadiana area? Contact DryMax today!

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