Dealing with mould infestation in your home or workplace can be frustrating; no matter what you do, you never seem to be able to clear it up completely!
Various sources claim to have the solution, either in the form of home remedies or specially formulated products for mould removal - most of which are bleach-based. But these rarely finish off mould for good, and so it returns, often worse than before.
Moreover, it seems to be a growing problem, with millions of properties affected across Scotland and the UK. We'll look into the reasons for this later, but our main focus here is to discover what can be done about it and, more importantly, how much mould removal costs.
As a leading specialist in this field, Clean Team Scotland has all the information you need in order to tackle your mould issue.
Join us as we unpack this subject to find honest, sensible answers to help you overcome your mould problem once and for all.
There are several different types of moulds, but the main culprit is Stachybotrys chartarum, and it's a common type of fungus found in nature. Although called black mould, it can appear grey or green in colour.
Mould spores from outside are brought indoors on our clothes, shoes and pets' fur, or via ventilation systems and even through open windows on air currents.
Once inside, it settles on the surface of walls, ceilings and floors, where it starts to grow - if the conditions are right. Dampness from condensation is the most common cause, along with poor ventilation and insulation. Leaks and damaged pipes can also contribute to the issue, allowing water to seep into floors and walls.
Most people can deal with a small amount of mould, but when it starts to spread or becomes a severe problem, it's time to call in experts to remove mould from your work or living space.
Prolonged exposure to back mould has been linked to health risks, including asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems*. Symptoms range from a sore throat to skin rashes to severe breathing difficulties.
It's sometimes referred to as toxic mould, although this term tends to be used mostly by the press to sensationalise the issue. While it is potentially harmful, the risk of fatality is extremely low. Even so, visible mould is unsightly and can lead to health issues, so it's best to seek help from a professional mould removal company if the problem is extensive.
*People with weakened immune systems are more at risk of developing mycosis, a severe lung condition with very nasty symptoms. It's essential to consult a medical professional if you believe you are affected.
Mould has always been with us, but the problem seems to have increased drastically in recent times.
There are several reasons for this:
So, now we've familiarised ourselves with the subject, let's check out the cost of mould removal services...
The technical term for this is mould remediation, and this is an area in which Clean Team Scotland excels.
Now, not all mould removal companies offer the same services, so we'll explore a range to see what's available and what the potential costs might be.
The cost can vary depending on several factors, and all reliable mould-cleaning companies will assess these before providing a quote.
We'll begin with one that's pretty standard for any service of this type:
Is the infected area limited to a single room, or are several rooms affected? Your kitchen and bathroom are the most likely areas to suffer, due to the steam and condensation produced. However, mould can attack any room, from basements to lofts, bedrooms to living rooms.
If you're lucky enough to only have one room affected (with patches on one or two surfaces), mould treatment shouldn't take much more than an hour or so. The average rate for mould removal jobs is around £30 per hour, so this gives us a good base from which to start.
Most mould removal projects come in at between £300 and £400 for a large room. Expanding on this, we can suggest that the mould removal cost for half a house would be about.
Mould can penetrate plasterboard, wood, insulation and other materials, often damaging them beyond repair. These will need to be removed and replaced, which can lead to higher overall costs. It's worth checking to see if your insurance policy will cover this.
Calculating these particular costs is impossible without knowing the extent of the damage, so you'll need to wait until the inspection has taken place (see below).
Hopefully, any damage will be minimal, so the cleaning team can simply crack on with the actual mould removal!
This usually takes place in the initial stages, where a qualified expert (or at least someone with the necessary training!) inspects and assesses the extent and severity of the problem.
They will base the mould remediation process on this assessment, and they may test the mould to see what type it is.
The average inspection cost is between £50 and £300, depending on the company and the type of testing undertaken.
The inspection will determine the main reasons behind your mould issue, and there's a chance that it relates to a specific problem such as a leaking pipe or roof.
There's little point in arranging for mould remediation if this is not fixed, so repairs will be necessary. Again, it's not possible to offer a figure for this without knowing what the problem is, but it could be substantial.
This highlights the need for regular roof inspection and maintenance, including roof cleaning, as it can save you money in the long term.
After the mould removal process, your house (or business premises) may require redecoration, and some mould remediation companies offer to handle this for you. Whether it's a couple of walls, a spoiled ceiling, or several rooms, they will restore your property to its former condition.
Obviously, this pushes up the price considerably, although much depends on how much damage has been done.
Whether you take on the repairs and redecoration yourself or arrange for the cleaning company to do the job, you may need to replace certain items such as soft furnishings or badly-affected items of furniture.
Some companies may use specialist equipment or methods, such as structure drying (typically used after flooding) or Biosweep. The first is a process that completely draws out all the moisture in the room or building, while the second is an amazing piece of technology that sanitises the air and eliminates odours 100%.
Both would add to the total cost of mould removal significantly, although they are both excellent investments.
Other equipment may include air-scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, and each of these has its own cost.
Finally, the contractors may conduct air tests to check for any remaining air-borne mould spores. This is a good idea, as it gives you peace of mind knowing that it's highly unlikely that the problem will occur further down the line.
As a general guide, you should expect to pay around £400 for mould removal services, if the infected area is limited to one room.
For about half of the house, we can suggest a figure of between £800 and £1,200, whereas for the entire house you're looking at somewhere between £1,500 and £3,000.
However, these are average figures with many factors affecting the final cost.
For an accurate quote and competitive price, contact Clean Team Scotland and we'll talk you through the details.
Removing mould is one thing, but it's better to prevent mould from thriving in the first place.
Here are some handy tips to stop mould from making your life a misery:
