Does Calgary Mold Removal Have to be Expensive?

When homeowners first detect a moldy smell – or worse, see signs of mold around the house – one of the first things that comes to mind is wondering how much they'll have to spend for Calgary mold removal. Very often, they have heard horror stories from others, and they might be wondering whether it's something that has to cost a fortune… and whether they can afford it at all.

Because these fears are entirely understandable, let us give you three important details about Calgary mold removal expenses:

1. Our work requires specialized equipment and expertise. Mold removal is more complex and time-intensive than a lot of people think it is. It isn't just a matter of spraying around chemicals, or even cutting out affected areas. Instead, you have to find the source of the growth and be sure to eliminate it.

2. The cost for Calgary mold removal depends a great deal on how severe the situation is. Most of the "horror stories" about expensive Calgary mold removal involve situations where the growth got out of hand. If you catch the symptoms early enough, and act quickly, mold removal doesn't have to be incredibly expensive.

3. No matter what the charge, mold removal is always a good investment. When it comes down to it, having mold in your home is a major health risk, and one that can even lead to serious illnesses or death. The quality of your air isn't something to take for granted, especially if you are seeing moldy spots or detecting a musty smell in your air. If you suspect you have mold, get in touch with us right away.

Want to find out how much it will cost to make your home mold-free? Get in touch with Amity Environmental today and schedule an appointment with our experienced technicians.

jason@amityenvironmental.ca

Asbestos is in what?

Asbestos Products Are in What????

What is common to many asbestos-containing products is that they were (are) used to contain heat (i.e. thermal insulation.) It is impossible to list all of the products that have, at one time or another, contained asbestos. Some of the more common asbestos-containing products are:

• pipe-covering
• attic insulation - vermiculite or zonolite
• insulating cement
• insulating block
• asbestos cloth
• gaskets
• packing materials
• thermal seals
• refractory and boiler insulation materials
• transite board
• asbestos cement pipe
• fireproofing spray
• drywall joint compound(mud)
• vinyl floor tile
• ceiling tile
• mastics
• adhesives
• coatings
• acoustical textures or popcorn texture
• duct insulation for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• roofing products
• insulated electrical wire and panels
• brake and clutch assemblies

Some of these products contained a very high proportion of asbestos, while others contained small amounts.

The best thing you can do is test first before any demolition occurs, its always best to err on the side of caution.

Call or email Amity Environmental Inc. today

Flooding in Calgary and Mold

This major emergency of flooding in Calgary has impacted so many here in this fine city, most home owners that have had water in their basement will discover mold in their home within a week, a safe assumption would presume these people will have to remove the hazardous fungus as soon as possible.  That is, until researching the cost of a mold remediation specialist.  However, time is of the essence and choosing a lower-priced mold removal services may cost the property owner more in the end.

An age-old axiom warns consumers with six simple words: “You get what you pay for.”  While driving a hard bargain may behoove some shoppers looking for a good deal, paying for safe, efficient service is vital when it comes to a person’s most valuable investment.

Should a home or business owner encounter mold in their property after the flooding, they can count on one thing: depreciation of the value of their property.  Insurance companies and inspectors will deem a property value “zero” when mold is involved due to the innumerable legal implications that may surface during or after a sales transaction.

It is important for property owners to fit mold removal into their budget, most home owner should be covered by insurance because of flash flooding, seepage claims will probably not be covered.  Property owners will use this reason as an excuse to hire the services of an inexpensive alternative to a more reputable mold removal specialist.  On the contrary, home and business owners should measure the value of service they will be receiving by spending some time researching the companies credentials.

Insurance – Property owners must ensure the remediation specialist they choose is sufficiently covered for potential damages caused to their property during the mold remediation process.  Companies without enough insurance, or none at all, may make a mistake, the property owner is stuck with the damage and the bill.

IICRC Certified Technicians – The IICRC is a non-profit company that creates and governs ethical mold remediation practices.  The IICRC S520 Guidelines are critical to ensuring safe, healthy and efficient mold removal.  The likelihood is that all lower-priced restoration companies will not be able to provide certified techs for the project due to costs of obtaining proper certification and training. (ask if the tech has his or her AMRT or CMS designation from the EAA)

Containment of the Mold Outbreak – For the same reasons properties owners are not advised to handle mold removal on their own, some restoration companies may not  provide proper safety precautions by charging less for their service.  Containing the fungal outbreak is essential for two main reasons:

Mold will do its best to survive.  If mold is touched, it will send thousands of spores, or seeds, into the air to find a new area to colonize (called dissemination).  By failing to set up a containment area, mold can grow in other rooms of the property, in carpets, on furniture, on clothing and even get into the ventilation and HVAC systems.

Touching mold without proper personal protective equipment can cause severe allergic reactions like, high fever, shortness of breath, eye irritation and skin irritation.

Unbiased Mold Testing– Low-cost companies who advertise “free” testing are selling a conflict of interest to potential clients.  Mold testing should always be completed by a non-affiliated, third-party industrial hygienist.  Without an unbiased tester, restoration companies can manipulated test results to benefit themselves and take advantage of the consumer.  Dependable restoration companies will only work when a third-party hygienist is involved and even have a comprehensive list of non-affiliated testers for the consumer to choose from.

- See more at: www.amityenvironmental.ca