I just moved into a 1950s home that needs some serious work. The basement's partially finished with a messy drop ceiling, falling tiles, and some truly gross carpet. An energy audit was halted because mold was found down there. I got quotes for mold remediation—$5200 for part of the basement and $7000 for the whole thing. A big chunk of the cost seems to come from the demolition. I'm considering doing the demo myself since I have the proper PPE like respirators and hazmat suits. I could rent a dumpster for about $400 and then hire someone for the mold cleanup. Is taking on the demo a bad idea?
3 Answers
Demolishing yourself might seem like a money saver, but remember that mold spores can spread like crazy during the process. Professionals use techniques like plastic sheeting and negative pressure to contain these spores, and bag up the debris properly. If you don’t do this right, you could end up with mold all over your house. Check out this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFO5Yd-r8UA) for some insights into proper methods! Also, you'll want to figure out how the mold got in there in the first place—leaks or water issues could be the real culprit.
Honestly, if you're willing to put in the grunt work, going DIY could save a lot of cash. Just make sure to use a strong fan to vent out moisture as you work and shut down the AC to avoid spreading spores through the ducts. A good shop vac with a fine filter could be your best friend for cleanup, too. Just remember, it’s not just about tearing things out—you need a plan to manage the dust and spores effectively.
If there’s visible black mold, it's pretty likely that it's already spread throughout your basement. That said, if you keep the area dry and free from airflow, the mold should remain dormant. Just be cautious, as mold spores are a part of your environment all the time. They can be managed, but if you're dealing with something toxic, even basic black mold can be a concern.