Every year, numerous people suffer ill health effects as the result of the presence of mold in the home. Mold may be any color, including black or white. The presence of mold in a home is the result of excess moisture. Mold may cause a wide range of health problems.

Mold Prevention and Eradication

Prevention of mold is key! In order to control mold, the level of moisture within a home must be controlled. If mold is found within a home, it should be cleaned up immediately.

If a homeowner has a problem with mold in a home, the problem should be addressed without delay. A homeowner may be able to address a small mold problem (10 square feet or smaller) without the assistance of a contractor. For larger problems, however, the homeowner should hire an experienced contractor to do the job.

In a hiring a contractor, a homeowner should seek estimates from at least three contractors. Also, the homeowner should ask each contractor who is interviewed the following questions:

• Is there a charge for the estimate? If so, what is the charge?
  
• Will the estimate be in writing?
  
• How long has the contractor been in business?
  
• Does the contractor maintain the appropriate license(s)?
  
• Is the contractor insured and/or bonded?
  
• Will the contractor provide at least three references from other homeowners?
  
• What is the contractor's estimate as to how long the work will take?
  
• Will it be necessary for the homeowner to move out of the home during the remediation process?

Other Considerations

Lastly, if a homeowner has a mold problem, a careful review should be made of the homeowner's insurance policy. It may be that some or all of the cost of eradication will be covered by the insurance policy.

At http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources.html, the United States Environmental Protection Agency provides more information about how mold is produced and the associated risks to human health and property.

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