Is Mold Certification Essential To Become a “Preferred Vendor?”

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Mold damage behind baseboard in Leawood, KS

If you suspect you have mold in your home, it’s important to choose a company with certified mold experts that insurance companies recognize as reliable. The easiest way to do that is to select a “Preferred Vendor.”

What Causes Mold?

After a flood or a water leak in Leawood, KS, certified mold inspectors report finding hidden mold in many homes. It can grow on many porous surfaces:

• Drywall
• Wood
• Paper
• Paneling
• Carpet
  
  

How Does Mold Get In?
It is found everywhere. Mold spores are in all the air we breathe, which sounds a little terrifying. However, almost all of it is harmless.
Black mold is a special type of fungus that mostly grows indoors and can be harmful. It can get out of control, eating away gypsum walls and even degrading the wood studs that help support the building's structure.

What Can You Do?
A certified mold expert will use special equipment, including a hygrometer, to search out hidden growth. If you’ve had water damage or can smell a musty odor in an area, you probably need to have an inspection.

Who Should Do an Inspection?
You need a company that’s qualified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Technicians have to complete IICRC mold certification and have the right experience to determine if a mold problem exists in your home.

What Happens if Mold Is Found?
Another reason to choose a preferred vendor is that they must provide certified mold remediation as well as inspections. Insurance companies have strict requirements for restoration, including IICRC compliance, that earns the "Preferred Vendor" label.
Only the top water damage remediation companies in Leawood, KS, can earn the right to be listed as preferred. They have a detailed workbook to perform certified mold remediation. Specialized air movers and drying equipment will suck out the moisture and prevent further growth.
Once the cause of the water damage is addressed, a team of restoration professionals will repair what can be saved and replace what can’t. The best vendors will have hospital-grade disinfectant agents that kill mold and germs. Once the mold has been removed, it won’t grow again without access to moisture.