Allentown Mold Remediation Service
Protect your home and business with local mold removal from experts who care.
Whether in the attic, bathroom, basement, kitchen, crawlspace, or somewhere else, mold can lurk in many areas of homes or buildings. We guarantee that our Allentown mold remediation service is the most effective at reducing these potential dangers that can affect property and health. As a family-owned business, we take pride in our exceptional customer service and dedication to our craft.
Mold Remediation 101
Before we can talk about the fundamentals of mold remediation, let’s get down to the basics of mold. Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in moist and humid environments in many homes and commercial buildings. There are many species, with some more dangerous than others, such as black mold. It can grow in floors, walls, appliances, furniture, and carpet and typically reproduces through airborne spores that you can breathe in. While mold is virtually everywhere and small amounts are usually harmless, it can become troublesome if it lands in an area of your home or building where it begins to multiply. When that happens, mold remediation can safely and effectively remove it.
In technical terms, mold remediation is the process of remedying, reversing, or stopping mold damage. It requires professional skill and expertise to properly detect and treat affected areas to prevent mold from invading your property and potentially causing health concerns. Professional mold remediation is the safest way to address the mold in your home or commercial space and thwart future regrowth.
If you live in Allentown PA,
You Probably Will Need Mold Remediation
If you live in Allentown PA and discover mold in your home, or if a home inspector has reported it, you likely need mold remediation. However, mold can be tricky to detect because it’s not always visible, and yet it can still wreak havoc on your property – and your life.
Here are a few not-so-obvious signs that you may need mold remediation:
Water Intrusion
Excess moisture from pipes, poor ventilation, roof leaks, sewer line back-ups, air conditioning units, and natural disasters can often lead to mold growth if microscopic spores are present. While water intrusion doesn’t always mean that you have – or will have – mold, it does create favorable conditions for it to grow, even in areas you can’t see.
Musty Odor
If you smell a musty, stale, or moldy odor, actively colonizing mold might be to blame. However, the scent alone cannot detect the presence of mold because some fungal species do not produce an odor, nor do dead or dormant spores – but these non-odorous varieties can be just as harmful to your property and health.
Health Issues
If you or someone in your home or office experiences adverse health effects after spending extended periods inside – and those symptoms subside when they leave the property – it could be an indicator that mold is present. Some of the symptoms of mold exposure include allergy symptoms, congestion, respiratory issues, sleeping difficulties, and headaches, although there are many other ways mold can affect your health.
Discoloration
Another way to determine whether you need mold remediation is to examine the color of the walls and structural surfaces. Discoloration or darkening may indicate that you have mold. If you’re not sure whether the discoloration is due to dirt, a stain, or another cause, a mold remediation expert can help you get to the bottom of it.
Mold vs. Mildew: How to Spot the Difference
Mold and mildew have a lot in common. They’re both fungi, often appear inside homes and buildings, grow in moist environments, have a musty odor, easily spread, and pose health problems. However, their removal methods significantly differ, so it’s important to identify which one you might have.
Use the following chart to determine whether you could have mold or mildew:
Mold
Color: Black, brown, green, yellow, gray, red, blue, or white
Texture: Fuzzy or slimy
Odor: Musty, stale, can be pungent
Shape: Irregular-shaped spots
Possible health effects: Allergic reactions, heart problems, respiratory problems, migraines, joint pain, dizziness, fatigue, depression, sleep issues
Causes rotting and other structural damage: Yes
Removal process: Professional cleaning or mold remediation (DIY not recommended)
Mildew
Color: White, grey, or yellow
Texture: Powder-like and fluffy
Odor: Musty, often described as wet socks
Shape: Flat patches
Possible health effects: Cough, headache, respiratory problems, sore throat
Causes rotting and other structural damage: No
Removal process: DIY using a commercial cleaner, bleach, or vinegar, and scrub brush
How to Test for Mold
You can perform the following simple at-home test to determine whether you have mold, mildew, or something else, keeping in mind that it’s best to seek the opinion of a professional Allentown mold remediation expert to be sure.
At-Home Mold Testing
Follow three easy steps to test for mold at home:
- Drip several drops of household bleach onto the affected surface
- Wait five minutes
- Inspect the spot
If the area appears LIGHTER, you may have MILDEW.
If the area remains DARK, you may have MOLD.
Professional Mold Inspection and Testing
Our certified indoor environmental professionals perform mold inspections and testing to help you protect your property and health. We’ll help you detect with certainty any harmful bacteria that may be lurking in your home or commercial space. Upon collecting samples, we submit them to an accredited and certified microbial lab and provide results within 3-7 days. Our certified microbial consultant (CMC) will then interpret the confidential results and provide recommendations for the next steps, depending on the findings.
Learn more about our mold inspection and testing service.
Benefits of Professional Mold Remediation
If the results of your mold test indicate the presence of mold, hire a professional Allentown mold remediation service rather than opting for DIY solutions. Here’s why a pro is your best bet:
- Pros can help explain mold testing findings to ensure you tackle the problem safely and correctly
- Pros are better equipped to find and remove mold – even in places where it’s hiding
- Pros remove not only the mold you can see, but also its source to prevent future regrowth
- Pros have the know-how to remove different types of mold, from common household varieties to toxic black mold
- Pros have tools and gear designed for hazardous mold removal that can pose risks if mishandled
- Pros use protective strategies for your property and belongings to reduce contamination and damage
- Pros understand mold growth cycles and how to remove spores at every stage
- Pros offer additional services like duct cleaning in case the mold has spread to your HVAC system or other areas
- Pros will provide personalized advice for preventing regrowth
- Pros offer peace of mind that you’re keeping your property and its occupants safe
How Does Mold Remediation Work?
With over 25 years of experience, we’ve perfected our process to ensure a safe and smooth experience for homeowners and businesses in the local Allentown area.
Here is what you can expect from mold remediation by our indoor air quality (IAQ) experts:
Evaluation
We determine the root cause of the mold growth and identify containment strategies to minimize spread throughout other areas of your home or building.
Property Protection
We apply tarps and HEPA vacuum your personal items and surfaces to remove mold spores and reduce contamination of clean areas.
Mold Removal
We safely remove mold-affected materials in the containment area, such as carpet, drywall and trim, subfloor, and insulation, and carry them away in sealed plastic bags.
Antimicrobial Treatment and Cleaning
We apply an antimicrobial treatment and scrub any surface mold with an antimicrobial cleanser. Next, HEPA-equipped air washers remove the final traces of airborne spores.
Retest and Certify
After 1-3 days of recirculation, we will retest your environment for mold and issue a certification of completion once the results point to a reduction in the mold.
What to Look for in an Allentown-based Mold Remediation Service
Not all Allentown mold remediation services are created equal. Use this checklist to find one that:
Is fully insured
Has certified indoor environmental professionals complete every job
Provides a certificate of completion
Backs up their service with a warranty
Puts the safety of you and your property first
Is highly rated and reviewed
Why Choose Air Care Online?
With an educational and professional background in chemistry and a dedication to air quality and safety, we are uniquely qualified to provide mold remediation to families and businesses in the Allentown area. We think you’ll find us a cut above the rest in many ways, including:
Affordable pricing with financing options available
5% discount for seniors and military personnel
A local, family-owned business
Over 25 years of experience
Strong dedication to our craft and customer service
National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) certified
Certified Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) mold experts
CIE/CMC certified
More than 20 training and class certificates
Friendly, responsive, and professional
Serve residential, commercial, institutional and manufacturing environments
Full-service line of air quality services*
*Air quality services include indoor air testing, home air allergen test, mold remediation, water damage remediation, air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, and dehumidification and humidification