It’s black and fuzzy, like freckles all over my wall!
Oh my goodness! What could it be?
Is it dirt?
Is the paint peeling?
Is it bugs?
Have the kids been colouring on the walls?
A homework experiment gone wrong?
Nope, it’s probably mould.
Maybe it's mildew?
So how do you know which one you’re dealing with? According to BobVila.com, mould generally looks slimy or fuzzy, tends to have a raised texture, and can come in a rainbow of colors, including deep green and black.
Mildew however, is powdery, looks white or gray, always appears flat.
How did I get It?
Mold spores are everywhere, in the air, in the dirt. You can have air purifying equipment, HEPA filters on your furnace, all kinds of engineering controls, but the minute you open a door or a window in your home mould spores are coming in.
Next you need a food source, usually something cellulose based, like the paper on the surface of your drywall or your ceiling.
Then just add water and it will grow.
How do I get rid of it?
A lot of manufacturers and companies claim to be able to get rid of mould with over the counter cleaners, however, we have not found this to be the case.
This is not a job for bleach, or vinegar, or blah blah blah.
Bleach just turns the mould white, which is not as noticeable as black or green or blue. So you have wiped off the surface mould that was visible however the spores remain.
It may take removal of the building materials contaminated with mould, or commercial grade cleaners and enzyme based products that can be used to clean it up.
We Got This!
How much is this going to cost?
At this point we don’t know. Call us for an estimate. We actually do FREE estimates in the greater Edmonton area. Many companies are now charging for site visits and estimates.
We provide an estimate, but we cannot predict what may be discovered when we start opening up walls and such. And if we do remove contaminated building materials they all need to be reinstated which takes more time and money.
How long will this take?
We could be there 1 day or 1 week depending on the amount water damage and mould we find. However what is visible on the surface may not be the entire scope of the problem. The mould might be visible in the corner by the baseboard, but the problem may actually be, the window in the middle of the wall that’s leaking.
We may need to set up a containment, which may restrict access to areas in your home. Our crew may be hauling equipment and materials in an out. It might be noisy.
How can I be sure its done right?
