Mold spores can get into homes through open doorways, windows, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that have outdoor air intakes. Spores can also attach themselves to people and animals, turning clothes, shoes, bags, and pet accessories into handy transportation. If the spores land in moist places, such as places near leaks in roofs or pipes, or in any spot where flooding has occurred, they will grow. According to CNN/Money, the National Association of Home Builders says that a moist environment and the right room temperature can lead to mold growth in just 48 hours.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers extensive information on Mold and Moisture online, and notes that the key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. Although it’s impossible to keep mold completely out of your home, in most cases (in addition to moisture control) regular home cleanings, including the Carpet Cleaning Services and Air Duct Cleaning Services, can often prevent serious mold problems from arising.

But how do you know if you have a mold problem? You can usually see or smell a large infestation (a musty smell is often a strong clue), but in some cases, according to a 2005 New York Times Article titled “How to Find and Eliminate Mold”, the first sign of a mold problem is an allergic reaction experienced by someone in the home. Jeffrey C. May, principal scientist for May Indoor Air Investigations in Cambridge, MA, told the Times, “If someone feels better when they’re away from the house, there’s probably something wrong with the house.”

If you suspect you have a problem, consider contacting a home inspector who is certified to inspect for mold. Research inspectors or environmental experts carefully, before choosing a vendor for this purpose. The CDC (L7) points out the following:
Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable or normal quantity of mold have not been established. If you do decide to pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts, you should ask the consultants who will do the work to establish criteria for interpreting the test results. They should tell you in advance what they will do or what recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The results of samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted without physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the building’s characteristics and the factors that led to the present condition.

If it is determined that your home has a mold problem that must be addressed, a number of considerations go into the decision of who should handle the clean up. According to the EPA, if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), homeowners can probably handle the job themselves if they follow the EPA’s guidelines (posted on the same page).

If the problem is larger, however, it’s a good idea to call in an expert. Albemarle offers Emergency Restoration and Cleaning Services for both homes and businesses. We can handle such water and moisture emergencies as broken pipes, overflowing toilets, and flooding that might lead to major mold problems. We will help guide you through the insurance claims process, while our accomplished technicians will approach the restoration process with the utmost care and concern for your property and mold issues.

If you choose to hire a contractor who specializes in mold clean-up for more extensive jobs, the EPA recommends that you check references, and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in the agency’s Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings information area, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.

There is a great deal you can do to avoid mold problems, from avoiding a moist environment to regular air duct and home cleanings. But if a disaster occurs, such as flooding wind-driven rain or burst pipes, contact Albemarle immediately by calling 252.255.1477. And if you suspect that mold you can’t see is causing health problems, speak to qualified, licensed professionals to determine next steps.

No insurance? If the price is several hundred dollars cheaper it may sound like an attractive offer. But think about this: If he can’t afford insurance, can he afford to buy you new carpet if he ruins your carpeting? Even worse, don’t you think his family will sue you if he gets severely hurt while on your property?

And what are the chances that he knows how to properly clean carpet if he can’t afford insurance? Chances are, if he doesn’t have the money for insurance, he also doesn’t have money for proper equipment, proper training, etc. You really do get what you pay for.

If he doesn’t have insurance, I can just about assure you he has no workman’s compensation on himself. You can be sued if he gets hurt. If he doesn’t have insurance, you are providing the insurance for him with the discount he is giving you.

So, the question you should ask yourself is…

“Do I want to insure this man?”

Many contractors will lie and claim to have insurance when they do not. It is not unreasonable for a homeowner to ask to see a copy of an insurance deck sheet. Check the dates on the sheet to assure they are current. If it is a large job or a situation where you are at high risk, ask the contractor to have his insurance company send or fax you a current insurance certificate. This will assure you the contractor has not let his insurance lapse. Many unethical contractors put a down payment on liability insurance just to get an insurance deck sheet and fail to continue to pay their payments.

Insurance isn’t the only important factor. But, it is a good place to start.

Make sure he is NOT a criminal
Anyone can easily get in the cleaning business. There are over 40 carpet cleaning companies in the Outer Banks area. Career criminals often take side jobs as carpenters, drywall hangers, painters, and YES, even carpet cleaners. It’s one thing to have a criminal working in your yard. It’s a different fear when the criminal is working inside your house. Do a basic Internet search on the person who owns the company. As well, make sure the company has done complete background checks on all employees entering your home.

I once had a young fellow come to my office to apply for a cleaning technician position. He had plenty of experience working for another popular cleaning company on the Outer Banks. I spoke with him and informed him that we always do complete background tests and drug screening before we hire.

He had a felony record
He admitted he had a felony record for burglary, for which he served prison time four years ago. I couldn’t believe another cleaning company hired this guy with a felony burglary record. Working in an office, construction, or one of a thousand different jobs would be suitable, but NOT working in homes. People can indeed change. But, giving someone who has a felony record of burglary a job that requires him to work inside a home is NOT a good idea.

Don’t take it for granted. Know who you are hiring to be in your home. Make sure they are insured so you won’t be paying the bill if anything goes wrong.

If you can’t remove the spot, call us at 252-255-1477 – Outer Banks number.
We’ll fit you in our schedule.

You’ll get a trained technician armed our 12 step cleaning process as well as our 12 specialty spot removers to remove your stains. The technician sent out to your home is a spot removal specialist. It’s what he does all day.

So give us a try. It’s a lot better than staring at a HUGE ugly stain the rest of the time you have your carpet. Hire a cleaning company with a great reputation.

We Serve All of the Outer Banks…