Florida's mold rules protect you
Florida licenses mold assessors and mold remediators separately, through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. A licensed remediator is generally required for jobs covering more than 10 square feet. The law also generally keeps the same company from both assessing and remediating a property, so the person who tells you how much mold there is isn't the person paid to remove it.
That's why we recommend an independent licensed mold assessor for testing and clearance. We'll work from their protocol, and they verify our work when it's done.
Where mold shows up in Florida homes
- AC closets and air handlers, where condensate leaks and cold surfaces meet humid air (see AC and HVAC condensation leak damage)
- Closets on exterior walls, where air doesn't circulate
- Bathrooms with exhaust fans that vent into the attic instead of outside
- Window sills and sliding-door tracks where condensation collects
- Homes closed up for the summer with the AC off or set high
- Anywhere a water loss wasn't dried completely
How remediation works
- Assessment. An independent licensed assessor identifies the affected areas and writes a remediation protocol.
- Containment. Work areas are sealed with plastic sheeting and kept under negative air pressure so spores don't spread.
- Air filtration. HEPA air scrubbers run throughout the job.
- Removal. Contaminated porous materials like drywall, insulation and carpet are removed and bagged inside containment.
- Cleaning. Framing and hard surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed and cleaned.
- Fixing the moisture source. The leak or humidity problem is corrected, with drying where needed.
- Clearance. The assessor inspects and tests before containment comes down.
What we won't do
We don't sell fog-only treatments as a cure, and we don't use the phrase "black mold" to scare anyone. The CDC notes that a mold's color doesn't tell you how hazardous it is. Visible growth should be removed properly whatever its color, and the fix is removal plus moisture control.
Mold Remediation: common questions
Do I need mold testing?
If you can see mold and know the moisture source, testing isn't always necessary to start. For larger jobs, hidden mold, health concerns or real estate transactions, an independent assessment gives you a written protocol and a clearance test at the end.
Can I clean mold myself?
The EPA says small areas, roughly 10 square feet or less, can often be handled by a homeowner with proper precautions. Larger areas, mold inside walls or HVAC systems, or mold after contaminated water should be handled by a licensed remediator.
Will the mold come back?
Mold returns when moisture returns. If the source is fixed and the space stays dry, regrowth is unlikely. That's why we treat the moisture problem as part of the job.
Mold Remediation near you
We provide mold remediation in all 29 Florida metro areas we serve: