There is a strong odor in basement and it may be mold. Don't know the exact location of the mold and need professional help to evaluate the situation.
John A
need to remove mold from basement floor due to flooding from recent rain storm
Juan V
The presence of mold in your house has nothing to do with how dirty or clean your house is. Mold is not dirt or grime that can be scrubbed or washed away; it's an organic growth that has to be removed by qualified and experienced mold remediation contractors. Unfortunately, mold remediation companies are not governed by any industry rules, and therefore, it falls to your good judgment to choose a mold removal contractor who can rid your premises of mold quickly and safely. A mold removal specialist can rattle off the names of a dozen certification organizations, but this could be meaningless in the absence of solid experience in the kind of mold removal services you're looking for.
Although there aren't any certificates for mold remediation companies that are recognized by the industry, you might want to look for certification and training from the Air Duct Cleaner's Association or the indoor Air Quality Association. However, these are not hard and fast rules, and if your contractor does not posses these qualifications, it's no reason to reject him outright. More important than certification is experience in the kind of mold removal that you need. If the mold growth in your house is confined to the kitchen, bathrooms or basement, then you can conclude that moisture is the culprit. Your mold removal specialist in this case should have experience getting rid of mold from damp areas. If on the other hand, your mold growth is confined to your HVAC systems, then you need a mold remediation contractor who has experience in such specialized mechanical hygiene methods.
The mold remediation contractor you're considering should use, and apply generally accepted industry protocol, wherever applicable. For instance, he should be aware of the standards and guidelines as laid down by environmental agencies and other government agencies. Your mold remediation contractor should be sufficiently insured, so as to protect you against the possibility of liability. He must be able to give you a written estimate for your mold remediation in your premises. Make sure that his estimate makes allowances for the discovery of new mold ridden areas after commencement of the remediation. If this happens, he should be able to offer you a price wise estimate for the remediation instead of a hourly fee.