Mold concerns after the storms
Residents are still cleaning up after a brutal round of storms hit the Central Coast about two weeks ago. One of the main concerns left behind from the mess is mold.
The Monterey County Health Department and local business, Property Restoration Services say they have been inundated with phone calls regarding mold.
They say the recent storms have allowed fungus to thrive, adding more of a headache to residents already trying to rebound.
“Roof leaks from tiles being blown off the gutters being clogged and coming in and people not realizing that there was a leak until weeks afterwards.”
Just some of the scenarios seen by the business according to its general manager, partner Ronnie Pettit.
He says they’ve had a number of calls for mold removal since the recent storms.
It’s a service Carmel Valley resident Andra Briant hopes she doesn’t need.
“It’s scary to think about mold, we have three little kids.” Briant said.
The Briants and their neighbor’s property have been severely flooded three times in a little more than two months.
Andra says mold is the last thing they want to find on their path to restoring their family home.
“Mold is not covered under health insurance so, if we get mold, that will be coming out of our pocket.” Andra says.
A situation no homeowner wants to face. If it does come to that though it’s important to find a company that’s legit.
Ronnie Pettit recommends choosing one that uses a separate organization to test air quality.
“We have a third party who comes in and does it. They didn’t do the job [removal of mold], they weren’t a part of the job, they’re just there testing the air quality. Pettit says. “They have no bias of who anybody is and it helps protect everybody to make sure jobs are done correctly and that’s for the industry as a whole.”
The Monterey County Health Department says if you suspect indoor mold in your home to check their website for information. You can do so by clicking the link here.
