Frequently Asked Questions

If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, you can probably handle the job yourself. However:

If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult the EPA's http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types. 

If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, or the guidelines of http://www.acgih.org/ the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists .

If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold, consult the EPA's Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout your home.

If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.

If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup. 

For more information, read the EPA's http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. 

The above information is provided as a public service by the Environmental Protection Agency for educational purposes.
 
The identification of mold is beyond the scope of our inspection. However we can assist you in contacting licensed specialists in this field.