You think you may have a mold problem or you just noticed a water leak in your home that has been undetected for more than 24 hours and you think, "What do I do now?"
Finding a good, reputable mold inspector and remediators can be daunting. I wish I had recommendations for folks all over the country but unfortunately, I do not. I am here to help folks heal their bodies, the good inspectors and remediations help to heal the home. But here are some helpful hints to keep in mind when looking for someone near you.
If you are suffering from mold illness then it is important to find someone who will help you get it done right the FIRST time as re-entry into moldy areas can be triggering.
1) Can they describe their process?
They should visually inspect the exterior & interior
They should use moisture meters or infra-cameras to help find damp areas
They should inspect the HVAC, crawl spaces, attics, basement, and all areas where water is piped into rooms.
They should spend ATLEAST 2 hours inspecting your home
2) Do they use MSqPCR or mold specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction?
This is mold DNA testing and if they don't use this or at least know about it then move on.
ERMI was developed by the FDA and is a panel of 36 molds' DNA.
HERTSMI is a panel of 5 molds that is typically used after remediation to see if it is safe to go back into the home.
3) Do they know what mycotoxins are and can they test for them?
If they don't even know what a mycotoxin is then it's time to move on. It is not 100% necessary to test for them but they should at least know about them and how they can permeate through walls.
4) Do they test the HVAC system?
If they say they test the air coming out then they are not collecting the dust to get the DNA for the ERMI test.
5) What percentage of their customers suffer from mold related illnesses?
This is important because if they don't have customers that have mold illness they may not understand your needs.
6) Do they write a remediation protocol?
They need to create this protocol so the remediation company has the plan they need to address the inspector's recommendations. The remediators should also have plan and timing written out for you to sign. Nothing should be changed to the plan without your authorization.
7) Do they perform the remediation?
If the answer is YES then you need to walk away. This is a huge conflict of interest. Image the same people inspecting food are the ones producing it? There would be less recalls and more food related illness. It is the same here. You can't trust a company to effectively tattle on themselves.
8) Do they recommend any mold remediation companies?
While you don't want someone who is in cahoots with a bad company a good inspector may be a great resource to find a qualified remediation company or a few to choose from in your area.
*This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional.
*You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
*Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem.
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