BEST Mold Removal and Remediation Company in Columbia, SC 

Mold in your home poses serious risks to both your health and property, often developing after water damage incidents. At Kingsley Water Damage & Fire Cleanup, we specialize in comprehensive water damage repair and mold remediation services to swiftly address these issues. Whether you're buying or selling a home or have unexpectedly discovered mold due to water damage, acting quickly is crucial to minimize exposure to harmful mold spores and prevent further structural damage. For top-rated water damage repair and mold removal services in Columbia, contact Kingsley Water Damage & Fire Cleanup today.

Causes Of Mold in Columbia, SC Homes

Mold can develop in homes for a wide range of reasons. The Columbia area is hot and humid, which causes high levels of moisture – the perfect environment for mold to thrive. However, other conditions must also be met before mold will grow in a home. In addition to spores, mold needs warmth, oxygen, and a food source like drywall, wood, or cotton. If the conditions are right, mold can start to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

It is not always easy to spot mold right away. Mold can grow undetected in small cracks and crevices, such as in the grout between ceramic tiles. It is most common in rooms of the home where there is a lot of moisture, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or basement. It can also develop under window air conditioner units, in HVAC ductwork, around chimneys, inside walls and crawlspaces, and near foundation air vents. An experienced Columbia mold inspector knows where to find, identify, and remove harmful mold from your home.

Just because you do not see mold does not mean it is not there. Other signs that could indicate the presence of mold in your home include a musty odor, property deterioration, and unexplained respiratory illnesses. And mold has long-term health concerns, including developmental issues in children.

The Harms of Mold: Why You Need Immediate Mold Removal Columbia

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in moist environments and can grow on various surfaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, and even personal belongings. There are several reasons why mold in a Columbia, SC home can be harmful:

It’s crucial to address mold issues promptly if they are detected in your home in Columbia, SC. Contact a top-rated mold removal company to make sure your home is clear of mold and help you and your family breathe easier again.

The Mold Remediation Process

Mold remediation involves a series of steps designed to identify, contain, and remove mold. The first step is to identify the mold. You want a Columbia mold testing company to inspect your home, take samples, and identify all the areas that are infected.

At the start of the removal and remediation process, it is important to isolate the contaminated area to prevent mold spores from going airborne and spreading to other areas of the home. Proper ventilation is also required during mold remediation. Air filtration devices, such as air scrubbers, can help keep spores within the contaminated area.

Next, the affected area will need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This involves removing any infected materials and applying a biocide, fungicide, or moldicide solution to the affected materials. Any wet or mold-damaged porous materials should be discarded in plastic bags tied closed. Wood or non-porous materials must be cleaned with a detergent solution. For more severe mold infestations, a HEPA vacuum may be needed to clean surfaces.

Finally, you will need to address the underlying source of the mold to prevent future mold growth. The source of the mold may be a hidden leaking pipe, rain seeping in due to a damaged roof, gaps around windows or doors, or foundation flooding. Improperly installed flashing, ice damming problems, missing insulation, and similar issues can all contribute to mold in the home.

Should You Buy a Home with Mold?

After searching high and low for that perfect Columbia, South Carolina home, you at long last find the one of your dreams. But just before you sign on the dotted line, you learn that it has mold problems. Is that such a big deal? Should you still buy it?

Before buying any home, make sure to have it inspected for mold and other issues. Require that the inspection includes a contingency clause. This defines a condition or action that needs to be met before a real estate contract becomes binding. Never accept a seller’s or real estate agent’s opinion about whether mold is present or not. Even if the home has been deeply discounted, have an inspection completed because the cost of eliminating the mold could very well eliminate any savings. If mold is found during an inspection, then you’ll have more leverage during price negotiations. You can then decide to do one of three things:

1. Request the seller to lower the asking price.
2. Ask the seller to repair the problem by hiring a mold removal company.
3. Walk away from the transaction.

Sellers are bound under South Carolina state real estate disclosure rules to disclose to the buyer if there’s a current mold problem in the house or if it’s ever been flooded, but they don’t always do so. If they don’t, the owner could be liable to you for failure to disclose. (See the Nolo article, “Home Defects: Sue the Seller,” which offers helpful advice on defining who’s legally responsible for home deficiencies and how to file suit.)

There’s no correct answer to the question of whether or not it’s OK to purchase a home with mold. Your main concerns ought to be your budget, your health, and how quickly you’ll need to move in. For example, if you’re suffering from allergies and there’s lots of mold in a home, it’s risky to buy it if you must move in right away. Then again, if you have the resources and ability for mold removal, buying a home that contains mold growth may save you some money, especially if the home is assessed at a lower price due to mold.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, or have found mold in your home, it is important to act quickly and call a Columbia mold removal specialist so we can limit your exposure to hazardous mold spores and minimize damage to your home.

Contact Our Columbia Mold Remediation Specialists

Kingsley Water Damage & Fire Cleanup in Columbia, SC specializes in helping our Columbia neighbors return their home back to normal after a catastrophic event. We also specialize in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and storm cleanup.

Don’t live near our Columbia office? From our offices in Lexington and Lugoff, we provide remediation services throughout the Midlands region.

If you are struggling with mold in your home, schedule an appointment online or call us at 803-590-0370 for a mold inspection and removal estimate. Protect your family from mold exposure today!