Nathan Whittlesey

Over the past year, I could safely estimate that I have encountered at least 2 foreclosed homes with mold per week. That is just ME! Considering this, the housing crisis has really hit home. Some trends that I am observing with respect to foreclosed homes with mold really concern me.

When someone is considering the purchase of a foreclosed home, the obvious goal is to "get a good deal." They will call me to get a ball park figure on mold remediation to figure in their budget, and for approximately 95% of them, that's the last I hear from them. This is not what troubles me. The cost of mold remediation, to someone who has never encountered it, is often shocking. Don't get me wrong, it's not astronomical, but is more than what most expect.

What troubles me is what I hear about how some banks are handling the issue. One contractor who exclusively performs repairs on foreclosures reports that he sees mold on approximately 90% of the homes where he works. His usual treatment? Just tear it out. The problem appears to be gone, but what about the structure that likely had vast amounts of mold growth? What about the spores that became airborne when the moldy drywall or carpet was removed? It seems the philosophy is "out of sight, out of mind."

Even more troubling is that the previously mentioned contractor approached the bank he works for about the projects where mold growth is present. He recommended they perform proper mold remediation. Their current position is to 1) Spray it with a biocide, 2) Paint it with Kilz or a similar product, and 3) Run an Air Scrubber for 24 hours. After this process is complete, they take an air sample and call it good. They then present the testing info as proof that the home no longer has a mold problem and sell the home "as is." This is a recipe for disaster.

If you are considering the purchase of a foreclosed home, I strongly recommend that you hire a qualified environmental testing company and have the home thoroughly inspected. You'll spend around $500 to $1000 (approximately, depending on the size and such), but it will be money well spent. Do not rely on testing data provided by the bank - conduct your own inspection!

Lastly, if mold is found in the home, call Rivercrest Restoration to provide an estimate for the mold remediation. It's free of charge and the work will be done right. We guarantee it.

636-386-2500

Mold Remediation is a foreign term to many...that is until they encounter the problem of mold. Many of our customers are very well educated by the time I have the opportunity to meet with them. The internet allows them to research the issue and know what they are getting into.

Balance is the name of the game.

If you look enough, you will find "Miracle Mold Treatments" by the dozen. Everywhere you turn people will tell you that you can just spray something on mold and it will magically disappear. It's a wonderful thought to think you can avoid the expense and headaches of proper mold remediation by simply spraying something or powering on a machine of some kind, but it just doesn't make sense.

At Rivercrest Restoration we are "old school" enough to know that there are long-standing principles which will never change, but there is also technology available to make our work more effective or efficient. And so, while we know that mold remediation will always remain the same in certain aspects, we keep an open mind to the development of new technology which allows us to serve our customers better.

If you have a mold problem, hire a company who, among other things, maintains balance in their approach to their profession. Hire Rivercrest.