I Found Mold in My Sarasota Home. Who Should I Call?
That depends partly upon what you found.
If you discovered a small amount of suspicious growth around a known moisture source, the first step may simply be determining the extent of the condition.
If you have:
- Significant visible mold
- Mold inside wall cavities
- Mold following water damage
- Persistent musty odors
- Multiple affected rooms
- Mold involving an HVAC system
- Suspected concealed contamination
- A previous remediation that failed
- An insurance claim involving mold
you may need professional evaluation before deciding what remediation is appropriate.
The important thing is not to immediately start tearing things apart.
Disturbing contaminated materials can release settled particles and spores into the surrounding environment.
First understand the problem. Then determine the appropriate scope of work.
Do I Need a Mold Remediator or a Mold Assessor in Florida?
They perform different jobs.
A mold assessor evaluates mold conditions and can develop the assessment and remediation protocol when one is required.
A mold remediator performs the remediation work.
That separation matters.
The person deciding what needs to be remediated should not simply be using the inspection as a way to sell themselves a larger remediation job.
Florida regulates mold assessment and mold remediation separately.
Depending upon the size and circumstances of the project, Florida law may require licensed professionals and impose restrictions on performing both functions on the same project.
So one of the first questions you should ask is:
"Do I need an independent mold assessment or protocol before you perform this remediation?"
A reputable remediation company should be willing to tell you when you do.
Does Every Mold Problem Require Mold Testing?
No.
Visible mold does not always require laboratory testing simply to prove that mold exists.
If you can clearly see microbial growth associated with a known moisture problem, spending money to learn the exact species may not always change what needs to happen.
But testing and professional mold assessment can be valuable or required depending upon:
- Size of the affected area
- Whether contamination is concealed
- Whether the extent is uncertain
- Insurance requirements
- Real-estate considerations
- Occupant concerns
- Previous remediation
- Need for an independent remediation protocol
- Need for post-remediation verification
The question shouldn't automatically be:
"Can someone test my house for mold?"
It should be:
"What information do we need before deciding what should be done?"
Can a Mold Remediation Company Do Its Own Mold Testing?
This is an important question in Florida.
Mold assessment and mold remediation are separate professional activities, and Florida law contains restrictions intended to avoid conflicts between the person assessing the mold problem and the company financially benefiting from the remediation.
That is why homeowners should be cautious when one company proposes to:
Test the property -> decide how much remediation is necessary -> perform the remediation -> test its own work afterward.
Independent assessment and post-remediation verification can provide separation between the company performing the work and the professional evaluating the results.
If your project requires a formal protocol or post-remediation verification, ask who will perform it and why.
How Do I Know If a Mold Remediation Company in Sarasota Is Licensed?
Ask for the license number.
Then verify it.
Don't settle for:
"We're certified."
Certification and state licensing are not necessarily the same thing.
Ask specifically:
"Are you a Florida State Licensed Mold Remediator, and what is your license number?"
A legitimate licensed remediator should have no problem providing that information.
ServiceMaster SRQ owner Christopher Whittaker holds Florida Mold Remediator License MRSR #2226.
Is IICRC Certification Important for Mold Remediation?
It is another useful indicator of professional restoration education.
The ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation provides an industry framework for professional mold-remediation practices.
Professional standards address concepts including:
- Containment
- Engineering controls
- HEPA filtration
- Source removal
- Cleaning
- Worker protection
- Documentation
- Evaluation of affected materials
But a certificate hanging on the wall does not perform the remediation.
Experience and judgment still matter.
Ask the company to explain how the standard applies to your actual property.
What Should a Professional Mold Remediation Company Actually Do?
Every project is different, but professional mold remediation generally begins with understanding:
Where is the mold?
Why is it growing?
How far has the contamination extended?
What materials are affected?
What can be cleaned?
What should be removed?
How will the work area be isolated?
How will contamination be prevented from spreading?
Depending upon the project, remediation can involve:
- Reviewing the assessment or remediation protocol
- Identifying and correcting the moisture source
- Establishing containment
- Establishing negative air pressure where appropriate
- Using HEPA-filtered air scrubbers
- Protecting unaffected areas
- Removing affected porous materials when necessary
- Cleaning salvageable structural materials
- HEPA vacuuming
- Detailed cleaning of the work area
- Treating appropriate surfaces
- Drying remaining structural materials where necessary
- Final cleaning
- Preparing the area for independent post-remediation verification when required
The exact process should be based upon the conditions of the individual project.
Why Is Containment Used During Mold Remediation?
Because remediation itself can disturb contamination.
Imagine removing mold-contaminated drywall without separating the work area from the rest of the house.
Cutting, pulling and handling those materials can release particles into the air.
Containment creates a controlled work area.
Depending upon the project, containment may include:
- Polyethylene barriers
- Sealed openings
- Controlled entry points
- Negative air pressure
- HEPA-filtered air scrubbers
The objective is straightforward:
Keep contamination from the work area from being unnecessarily distributed into unaffected portions of the building.
What Is Negative Air Pressure During Mold Remediation?
Negative pressure means the remediation area is maintained at a lower air pressure than the surrounding space.
Air therefore tends to move into the containment rather than outward from it.
A HEPA-filtered air scrubber or negative-air machine can be used to create that pressure relationship.
This helps reduce the potential for airborne particles disturbed during remediation to migrate into unaffected areas.
It is one of the fundamental engineering controls used on appropriate mold-remediation projects.
Why Are HEPA Air Scrubbers Used for Mold Remediation?
Mold remediation involves more than cleaning what you can see on a surface.
Disturbing contaminated building materials can release microscopic particles into the air.
HEPA-filtered air scrubbers continuously process air within the controlled work area and capture very small airborne particles.
They also can be used as part of establishing negative pressure.
This is why professional mold remediation often involves equipment running during demolition and cleaning.
The equipment isn't there for decoration.
It is part of controlling the remediation environment while contaminated materials are being disturbed and removed.
Does Moldy Drywall Have to Be Removed?
Often, when porous drywall has significant mold growth, removal is appropriate.
Drywall is porous.
Once substantial fungal growth has colonized porous material, simply spraying the surface may not adequately address contamination within the material.
But that doesn't mean every piece of drywall anywhere near mold automatically has to be removed.
The scope should be based on:
- Actual contamination
- Moisture conditions
- Material condition
- Remediation protocol
- Accessibility
- Ability to clean the material effectively
Good remediation is not about performing the most demolition possible.
Remove what needs to be removed. Preserve what can appropriately be preserved.
Does Moldy Wood Framing Have to Be Removed?
Not necessarily.
Structurally sound wood framing can often be remediated rather than removed.
Unlike drywall or insulation, structural lumber is often an important salvageable component of the building.
The objective is to remove the fungal contamination from the affected surface and address the moisture condition that allowed it to grow.
Depending upon the project, remediation can involve:
- HEPA vacuuming
- Physical cleaning
- Appropriate remediation products
- Controlled treatment
- Drying
- Detailed final cleaning
The condition of the wood still matters.
Mold remediation does not repair structural deterioration or rot.
Does Mold Have to Be Sanded Off Wood?
Not automatically.
Older remediation approaches frequently relied heavily on sanding or abrasive removal from structural lumber.
Modern remediation products and cleaning methods can sometimes address contaminated structural surfaces without indiscriminately sanding every affected stud.
ServiceMaster SRQ uses restoration methods appropriate to the actual condition of the material rather than assuming every piece of affected framing requires aggressive mechanical removal.
The objective is successful remediation of the affected surface, not performing a particular mechanical process simply because that was historically common practice.
Why Doesn't a Mold Company Just Spray Something That Kills Mold?
Because killing mold is not the same thing as remediation.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions homeowners encounter.
Even if a product kills viable fungal organisms, contaminated material and fungal particulate can remain.
Professional remediation is fundamentally concerned with controlling and removing contamination.
A company should not walk into a mold-contaminated building, spray everything with an antimicrobial and declare the house remediated.
Products can be useful components of a remediation process.
They do not replace:
- Containment
- Source removal
- HEPA filtration
- Physical cleaning
- Moisture correction
- Detailed cleaning
- Verification
Spraying is not a substitute for remediation.
What Products Does ServiceMaster SRQ Use for Mold Remediation?
The products and methods depend upon the material and the conditions.
One product ServiceMaster SRQ uses in appropriate applications is Serum 1000/1K, an oxidizing mold-remediation treatment.
When Serum contacts biological contamination, the reaction can produce visible foaming as oxidation occurs.
ServiceMaster SRQ uses it as part of a larger remediation process rather than as a substitute for containment, HEPA filtration, source removal and detailed cleaning.
Depending upon the application and project, multiple controlled applications may be used.
ServiceMaster SRQ also uses Bioesque Botanical Disinfectant Solution in appropriate applications according to its labeled uses.
The important distinction is:
The chemical does not define the remediation.
The complete process does.
Can I Just Use Bleach to Remove Mold?
Bleach is not a complete mold-remediation strategy.
A homeowner may see visible discoloration change after applying bleach and assume the mold problem has been eliminated.
But changing the appearance of a contaminated surface does not answer:
- Why did the mold grow?
- How extensive is it?
- Is contamination inside the wall?
- Is the material porous?
- Has contaminated material been removed?
- Have airborne particles been controlled?
- Has the moisture source been corrected?
The goal isn't to make the stain disappear.
The goal is to correct the moisture problem and properly remediate the affected materials.
Why Did Mold Grow in My Sarasota House?
Mold requires moisture.
In Sarasota, there are plenty of ways that moisture can enter or accumulate in a building.
Common sources include:
- Plumbing leaks
- Roof leaks
- Air-conditioning condensate problems
- High indoor humidity
- Storm intrusion
- Wind-driven rain
- Appliance leaks
- Water-heater failures
- Shower or bathroom leaks
- Window and door leaks
- Buildings left without adequate air conditioning
- Seasonal homes left unattended
- Previous water damage that was not completely dried
Sarasota's climate makes moisture control particularly important, but humidity by itself doesn't mean every Sarasota home has a mold-remediation problem.
Find the moisture source.
That usually tells you a great deal about why the mold is there.
Can Leaving the Air Conditioning Off Cause Mold in Sarasota?
It can contribute to conditions favorable for mold growth.
Air-conditioning systems don't only cool Florida homes.
They also remove moisture from indoor air.
When a Sarasota property is closed for an extended period and the air-conditioning or dehumidification is inadequate, indoor humidity can rise substantially.
That is particularly relevant for:
- Seasonal residents
- Vacant properties
- Rental properties
- Homes without power after storms
- Properties where HVAC equipment has failed
This is one reason mold problems can sometimes be discovered when seasonal residents return to Sarasota after being away.
Can Mold Grow Inside My HVAC System?
Yes.
HVAC systems can become involved in microbial contamination under the right conditions.
Potential areas can include:
- Air handler
- Evaporator coil
- Drain pan
- Interior air box
- Supply plenum
- Return plenum
- Ductwork
- Register boots
- Insulation
Condensation and accumulated organic material can create conditions favorable for microbial growth.
That doesn't mean every mold-remediation project requires duct cleaning.
But the HVAC system should not automatically be ignored when evidence suggests it may be involved.
If I Have Mold in My House, Do My Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?
Not automatically.
The duct system should be evaluated based upon actual conditions.
If the mold problem was isolated to a bathroom wall and there is no evidence that the HVAC system was involved, duct cleaning may not be necessary.
If contamination is visible within the air handler, supply system, boots or other HVAC components, that becomes a different situation.
The decision should be based upon what is actually present.
Inspect first. Clean when the condition warrants it.
What If the Mold Is Inside My Air Handler?
Then cleaning only the ductwork may leave an important part of the HVAC system untreated.
The air handler is part of the same connected air-distribution system.
ServiceMaster SRQ performs restoration-level HVAC cleaning that goes beyond simply wiping the coil and drain pan.
When conditions warrant it, accessible interior and exterior air-handler surfaces can be detail-cleaned, including areas around:
- Wiring
- Plugs
- Electrical connections
- Capacitor exteriors
- Blower components
- Cabinet surfaces
- Seams
- Crevices
- Accessible insulation
- Supply and return areas
Electrical and mechanical components have to be treated carefully.
ServiceMaster SRQ also stands behind that work: if our HVAC cleaning causes an electrical or mechanical problem requiring repair by our HVAC contractor, we are responsible for correcting the problem.
Can Mold Come Back After Remediation?
Yes, if the moisture condition that allowed the mold to grow returns or was never corrected.
A successful remediation project does not make a building permanently incapable of supporting mold.
If another leak occurs six months later, new mold growth can develop.
That is why one of the most important questions in any remediation project is:
Why did the mold grow in the first place?
Remediation addresses the existing contamination.
Moisture control helps prevent recurrence.
How Do I Know the Mold Remediation Actually Worked?
This is where post-remediation evaluation becomes important.
Depending upon the project, an independent mold assessor may perform post-remediation verification or clearance testing.
The objective is to determine whether the remediation area meets the established completion criteria before reconstruction closes the work area.
That can include:
- Visual inspection
- Evaluation of cleanliness
- Moisture conditions
- Sampling when appropriate or required
- Comparison with the remediation protocol
The company performing the remediation should not be afraid of independent verification.
If the work is supposed to pass, there should be no reason to fear someone checking it.
What Happens If the Mold Remediation Fails the Post-Test?
The remediation company should address the condition that caused the failure within the scope of its responsibility.
That may require additional:
- HEPA vacuuming
- Cleaning
- Air scrubbing
- Surface treatment
- Investigation
- Remediation
ServiceMaster SRQ's objective is to deliver the remediation area ready for successful post-remediation verification where testing is part of the project.
The homeowner should understand before work begins who is responsible for additional remediation work and additional testing costs if the initial post-remediation verification is unsuccessful.
Should Mold Remediation Be Completed Before Drywall Goes Back?
Yes.
Do not close a wall assembly while the remediation area still requires evaluation or while affected structural materials remain wet.
Once reconstruction covers the framing, inspecting and correcting a problem becomes considerably more difficult and expensive.
The proper sequence is generally:
Remediate -> clean -> dry -> verify where required -> reconstruct.
Not:
Cover it up and hope.
How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost in Sarasota?
There is no responsible single price for mold remediation because the scope can vary enormously.
A small contained area is completely different from contamination involving:
- Multiple rooms
- Cabinets
- Flooring
- Wall cavities
- Ceilings
- HVAC systems
- Contents
- Large containment areas
Cost can also be affected by:
- Required demolition
- Accessibility
- Containment requirements
- Equipment
- Duration
- Cleaning requirements
- Assessment and testing
- Reconstruction
Be cautious of anyone quoting a complete remediation price without understanding the extent of the condition.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold Remediation in Florida?
Sometimes.
Coverage depends upon the policy and the cause of the mold.
A mold condition resulting from a covered sudden water loss may be handled differently from mold caused by long-term leakage, deferred maintenance or chronic humidity.
Policies may also contain specific mold limitations, exclusions or sublimits.
Do not assume either:
"Insurance always covers mold."
or:
"Insurance never covers mold."
Read the policy and discuss the specific loss with the carrier.
The restoration company can document the conditions and work performed, but it does not make the insurance coverage decision.
Should I Get More Than One Mold Remediation Estimate?
You can.
For a non-emergency remediation project, comparing companies can be useful.
But compare the scope, not just the bottom-line number.
One contractor may be pricing:
- Proper containment
- HEPA filtration
- Detailed demolition
- Structural cleaning
- Final HEPA cleaning
- Documentation
while another quote may simply say:
"Mold treatment – $2,500."
Those are not necessarily competing estimates for the same work.
Ask each company to explain what is included.
What Are Red Flags When Hiring a Mold Remediation Company?
Be cautious when a company:
- Cannot provide appropriate licensing information
- Immediately tries to frighten you
- Makes sweeping health claims
- Says every mold problem requires tearing the house apart
- Says every mold problem can be solved by spraying a chemical
- Cannot explain containment
- Does not use appropriate HEPA filtration
- Cannot explain how contaminated materials will be handled
- Ignores the moisture source
- Wants to perform assessment, remediation and clearance without explaining potential conflicts
- Cannot explain how completion will be determined
- Gives you a vague estimate with no meaningful scope
Mold scares people.
That makes mold remediation particularly vulnerable to fear-based selling.
A professional should be able to explain the condition without turning the conversation into a horror movie.
Should I Be Worried About "Toxic Black Mold"?
Color alone does not tell you the species, concentration or significance of mold.
Many molds can appear dark or black.
The phrase "toxic black mold" is frequently used in advertising because it frightens homeowners.
Professional remediation should be based on the actual conditions rather than sensational terminology.
If laboratory identification is necessary for the project, testing can provide that information.
Otherwise, the practical issue remains:
There is unwanted fungal growth inside the building, there is a moisture source supporting it, and the condition needs to be appropriately addressed.
Can I Stay in My House During Mold Remediation?
Sometimes.
It depends upon:
- Location of the remediation
- Size of the project
- Occupant circumstances
- Access
- Containment configuration
- Extent of demolition
- Recommendations of the mold assessor
- Other site-specific conditions
A contained remediation in one portion of a house may allow normal occupancy elsewhere.
A large project can be different.
The decision should be made based upon the individual project rather than a blanket rule.
What Should I Ask a Mold Remediation Company Before Hiring Them?
Ask:
- Are you licensed for mold remediation in Florida?
- What is your license number?
- Do I need an independent mold assessor?
- Do I need a written remediation protocol?
- Who determines the remediation scope?
- How will you contain the work area?
- Will negative air be established?
- Will HEPA-filtered air scrubbers be used?
- What materials are you removing?
- What materials do you believe can be saved?
- How will the remaining structure be cleaned?
- How will you address the moisture source?
- How will the HVAC system be evaluated?
- Will the structure be dry before reconstruction?
- Who performs post-remediation verification?
- What happens if the project fails the initial post-remediation test?
- What documentation will I receive?
If the company becomes irritated because you're asking questions, that's useful information too.
Why Choose ServiceMaster SRQ for Mold Remediation in Sarasota?
ServiceMaster SRQ provides professional mold remediation throughout Sarasota and surrounding Southwest Florida communities.
Owner Christopher Whittaker is a Florida State Licensed Mold Remediator, MRSR #2226, an IICRC-certified restoration professional with more than 25 years of experience in restoration.
Our approach is based upon the actual building condition.
That means understanding:
- Why the mold developed
- Where the moisture originated
- What materials are contaminated
- What can be saved
- What needs to be removed
- How contamination will be contained
- How the structure will be cleaned
- Whether HVAC contamination is involved
- How remaining materials will be dried
- How the work will be prepared for verification when required
We don't believe every mold problem requires destroying half the house.
We also don't believe spraying a chemical on visible mold and walking away constitutes professional remediation.
Find the source. Control the work area. Remove or remediate the contamination. Clean the structure. Get it dry. Verify the work when required.
That's the job.
I Am Looking for a Mold Remediation Company in Sarasota Right Now. What Should I Do?
If you have discovered suspected mold:
Don't panic and don't start tearing contaminated materials apart.
If an active leak or moisture source is present, stop it when safely possible.
Take photographs of the visible condition.
Avoid unnecessarily disturbing affected materials.
Then contact a qualified mold professional to determine the appropriate next step.
Depending upon the size and circumstances of the project, that may mean:
Assessment first. Remediation second. Verification third.
The important thing is to understand the problem before someone starts selling you the solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mold Remediation in Sarasota
Who do I call for mold remediation in Sarasota, FL?
Contact a qualified mold-remediation professional. For projects subject to Florida mold licensing requirements, verify that the person or company performing mold remediation holds the appropriate Florida license.
How do I find a licensed mold remediator in Sarasota?
Ask for the Florida mold-remediator license number and verify the credential rather than relying only on statements that the company is "certified."
Do I need mold testing before remediation?
Not every mold problem requires laboratory testing. Testing or independent assessment may be appropriate depending upon the size, circumstances, uncertainty and regulatory requirements of the project.
Can the same company test for mold and remove it?
Florida distinguishes mold assessment from mold remediation and places restrictions on conflicts between those activities. Ask who is assessing the condition, who is writing the protocol, who is performing the remediation and who will verify completion.
Does visible mold always mean drywall has to be removed?
No. The appropriate response depends upon the material and extent of contamination. Significantly contaminated porous drywall often requires removal, while some structural materials can frequently be remediated.
Can moldy studs be saved?
Often, yes, provided the wood remains structurally sound and can be appropriately remediated and dried.
Can I just spray mold with bleach?
Spraying bleach is not a substitute for professional remediation. The moisture source, extent of contamination, affected materials and potential for contamination spread still have to be addressed.
Does mold remediation include fixing the leak?
The moisture source must be corrected, although the actual repair may require a plumber, roofer, HVAC contractor or another appropriate trade.
Does mold remediation include the HVAC system?
Only when conditions warrant it. The HVAC system should be evaluated when evidence suggests that the air handler, ducts, plenums, boots or other components may be involved.
How do I know mold remediation was successful?
Depending upon the project, completion can be evaluated through visual inspection, cleanliness criteria, moisture conditions and independent post-remediation verification or testing.
Looking for a Mold Remediation Company in Sarasota, FL?
If you're looking at mold in your Sarasota home and trying to figure out whom to trust, don't choose a contractor based solely on who can get there fastest or who gives you the scariest explanation.
Ask questions.
Verify licensing.
Understand the scope.
Find out who is determining what actually needs to be remediated.
ServiceMaster SRQ provides professional mold remediation throughout Sarasota and surrounding Southwest Florida communities under Florida State Mold Remediator License MRSR #2226.
Our objective is not to sell you the largest mold project possible.
Our objective is to determine what needs to be remediated and perform that work correctly.
If you're looking for a mold remediation company in Sarasota, contact ServiceMaster SRQ and show us what you're seeing.
We'll help determine what the appropriate next step is.