Mold Remediation in Los Angeles, CA

Yes, I’ve found in my practice there are plenty of ecofriendly, non-toxic mold remediation options that do not harm you or the environment, including: Invisible shields of silver iodine and/or copper, anti-microbial minerals that not only kill mold but also all other bacteria, viruses and fungi. Although each of these options are ecofriendly, you should consider limiting your selection to the most ecofriendly option in your situation.

1. HEPA Vacuuming: Non-toxic HEPA vacuuming can be used to remove both spores and debris in the air and on surfaces. HEPA filters trap invisible particles, including mold spores, without the use of harsh chemicals.

2. Dry Ice Blasting: With dry ice blasting, we use pressurised air to turn dry ice pellets into a projectile that flies through the air at high speeds, blasting the pellets onto the mold-laden surface. The fast-freezing mold shrivels and comes off the surface, and removes the mold without toxic chemicals.

3. Vinegar: The acidity of white vinegar kills mold naturally and leaves no harmful residue behind. Spray it directly on affected areas for easy remediation.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide: This is a less toxic alternative to borax. Hydrogen peroxide is an organic compound that takes the electrons away from mold and reacts with the chemical compounds in the mold to break down its structure and kill the spores. It is non-toxic and safe to use in homes.

5. Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a very gentle and safe cleaning agent that is useful for removing mold and neutralising odours. It may be mixed with water to create a paste, which can be applied to moldy surfaces for remediation.

6. Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal agent that can kill mold, and can be added to water and sprayed on moldy areas or added to cleaning solutions for non-toxic mold removal.

7. Beneficial Microbes: Beneficial microbes, including certain strains of bacteria and enzymes, are used to kill mold and organic matter in a natural, eco-friendly way. The microbes are applied to mold-infected areas, thereby creating a clean environment and restoring microbial balance.

These eco-friendly, non-toxic and toxic-free mold remediation methods successfully replace toxic remediation methods without compromising the safety of occupants, making them an excellent choice for addressing mold problems in your homes.

Mold can certainly come back if remediation is inadequate and the root causes of the mold problem are not dealt with, or if remediation efforts are not thorough enough. Here are the most important factors to consider:

1. Insufficient Remediation: Insufficient mold remediation (eg, removal of only conspicuous mold) or lack of inspectors addressing concurrent problems of exposure, immunosuppression, and toxicity in such environmental illnesses can contribute to likelihood or risk of disease, leading to the possible return of toxic mold that was not sufficiently removed in a manner that ensured avoiding toxicity, such as leaving viable spores in the environment that can again germinate and grow (given monthly intravenous antibiotics, my lungs remained riddled with mold) or failure to resolve humidity or water issues that mold requires as a medium for growth.

2. Moisture Problems: Mold needs moisture to survive, so address moisture problems or they will reoccur. Sources of moisture include leaks, condensation, high relative humidity, and inadequate ventilation. Proper moisture control is the key to preventing mold regrowth.

3. Inadequate Ventilation: Insufficient ventilation in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, crawlspaces and the like can allow stagnant humid air to accumulate, setting the stage for mold. Improving ventilation and air circulation may prevent recontamination following remediation.

4. Recontamination: If contaminated and/or mold-infested materials are not properly removed or if contaminated areas are not properly cleaned and sanitised during remediation, recontamination can occur. mold spores from other areas of the building or from outdoor areas can bring new mold into the remediated area.

5. Substandard Building Materials: Certain building materials, such as drywall or insulation that lack impermeable surfaces, might be difficult to effectively remediate once heavily contaminated with mold; some materials might need to be removed and replaced to prevent re-growth.

Given that mold returns in about 10 per cent of homes after remediation, if you deal with underlying moisture problems and improve ventilation, as well as thoroughly and adequately remediate, you can reduce the possibility of future mold problems. A reputable and experienced mold remediation company should not only handle mold remediation, but also focus on identifying the causes of mold growth, which is key to eliminating the source of the problem long-term. In the case of my home, I can do follow-up inspections and maintenance to monitor for signs of mold before they take over.

Whether your insurance covers mold remediation in Los Angeles, CA, depends on a few factors, including what caused the mold, the type of policy you have, and the extent of coverage provided. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

1. The Cause of the Mold: Insurance coverage for mold remediation varies depending in part on the cause of the mold growth. Most homeowner’s policies cover accidental water damage that is sudden or abrupt. For example, when a pipe bursts or you suddenly get a leak behind your refrigerator from a botched appliance repair, that would likely be covered. Even the gradual leak from a water heater that you learn about weeks after it started dripping may also be covered. On the other hand, gradual or long-term moisture problems (such as an ongoing leak or a window that frequently gets condensation) may not be covered.

2. Kind of Insurance Policy: It’s important to understand that the kind of insurance policy you have as a homeowner impacts whether or not your insurance covers your mold remediation. In most cases, homeowners policies cover water damage that is considered accidental and sudden, but a mold rider offers a small amount of coverage or could possibly exclude coverage from your policy entirely. Some insurance policies offered by carriers do come with an additional option of a mold rider for an additional premium that offers broader coverage.

3. Coverage extension: If your policy covers mold, is it subject to coverage limits and deductibles? If so, how much coverage do you have, and would your deductible be excessive for the value of the work? Check your policy documents, noting any coverage limits and deductibles that might be applied to such a claim, and talk to your insurance agent about the scope of coverage provided (and any exclusions that might apply) in your policy.

4. Prompt Notification: If you identify mold in your home, notify your insurance company as soon as practically possible to start the claims process. Delayed claims notification of water damage or failure to take prompt and appropriate action to mitigate and repair identified water damage or a loss source can impact coverage of mold repairs.

5. Preventative Measures: Some mold coverage in insurance policies will pay to remediate mold if a policyholder needs to prevent further damage to their property even if the mold growth is not caused by a covered peril. Policyholders may also consider preventative measures to mitigate any mold from spreading, which can help maximise insurance coverage.

It is recommended that you review your insurance policy with your insurance agent or provider to summarise your coverage for mold remediation and any applicable exclusions or limitations. The author highly recommends that, if you have questions regarding coverage or need assistance with the claims process, you seek out the guidance of a licensed insurance professional with specific knowledge of your individual circumstances.

Whether you will receive a warranty or guarantee after mold remediation depends on the policies of the LA mold remediation company you hire and the terms of your contract. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Company Policies: Some mold remediation companies will provide warranties or guarantees on their work. These can vary and be impacted by the scope of work performed.

2. What Does the Scope of Work Cover? Your warranty or guarantee from a mold remediation company could depend on the completion of certain tasks and/or an adherence to industry ‘best practices’. Review the scope of work outlined in your contract for details on what is covered under the warranty.

3. Length of Coverage: The length of any guarantee can vary widely depending on the company and the terms of your agreement. Some companies will offer a short-term warranty, covering a period of weeks or months following remediation, while others may offer longer-term guarantees of protection for months, and possibly even years, to ensure against the recurrence of mold.

4. Exclusions and Limitations: You should review the materials to learn about exclusions or limitations that may apply. For example, many warranties and guarantees exclude moisture damage as a result of new water intrusion or failure to repair other areas with moisture. They may also exclude failure to properly maintain remediated areas.

5. Warranty documentation: Warranties for certain appliances may require that you document adherence to a specific maintenance schedule, or provide evidence that you have followed certain recommended post-remediation inspections and prevention measures, all in order to be eligible for warranty coverage. Not adhering to these requirements could also revoke the warranty or guarantee.

6. Claims Process: If you experience a reoccurrence of mold or other issues that are covered under the warranty, you may have to go through the company claims process to request remediation services or repairs. You may need to contact the company directly or provide documentation of the issue.

Prior to using the services of a mold remediation company, ask if it offers any warranties or guarantees, and ask to see a copy of the terms and conditions. Also ask questions of the warranty to understand your rights and obligations. Clarify: coverage and exclusions, and the claims process.

If you suspect that your rental property in Los Angeles has a mold problem, you will want to take action to mitigate the contamination, for the protection of occupants, before it can cause any serious health damage. The steps you can take to prevent a mold infestation from happening, or to address a problem that already exists, are outlined below.

1. Call the Landlord: Notify your landlord or property manager immediately and report your suspicions that you have a mold problem. Describe where you have seen mold growth and mention any problems with leaks or moisture issues.

2. Inspection Request: Ask that the landlord arrange for an independent inspection by a professional mold inspector or remediation specialist to determine what kind of mold exists and its potential sources (water damage, humidity, etc).

3. Document Evidence: Take pictures of the suspected mold and of any related water damage or moisture issues. Make copies of any correspondence with the landlord regarding the mold problem, such as communications through email or in writing.

4. Read your Lease Agreement: Read your lease agreement to understand your rights and obligations for the handling of a mold problem at the rental property. Some leases will confine the landlord’s obligations or impose requirements for handling mold remediation. For example, a lease might require the tenant to report the presence of a mold problem to the landlord in writing and permit the landlord some time to remedy the problem before the tenant takes further steps, remediation included.

5. Appeal to the Law: If the landlord fails to or refuses to fix the problem and you’re not in a position to pay to do it yourself, familiarise yourself with local laws regarding tenants’ rights and landlord-tenant relations. Depending on the nature of the mold problem and the strength of your rights under local law, you may be able to force your landlord to intervene and provide relief.

6. Avoid Health Risks: Until then, minimise exposure to mold by avoiding direct contact with moldy surfaces, keeping the affected area well ventilated, and if possible, relocating temporarily if the mold issue represents a health hazard, especially for those with allergies or respiratory problems.

7. Contact a Lawyer: If your landlord has not remedied a mold issue or you and your landlord are disagreeing about who should pay for remediation, contact your local tenant rights attorney or a housing advocacy organisation to discuss your rights and potential recourse.

Dealing with mold in a rental context often involves collaboration between tenants and landlords so that, if mold is identified, it’s properly remediated and the property restored to being a ‘fit and habitable premises’, per the LAHD. By taking the right steps, you can protect your rights as a tenant and effectively deal with a mold problem.