Mold Remediation and Removal: Cost, Process, and More

Mold remediation helps residents stay safe by identifying large-scale mold within the home and eradicating or encapsulating it. When hiring a professional to remediate mold, you'll have to consider the cost, areas in the house most likely to develop mold (bathrooms, basements, and kitchens), and the different types of mold you could be dealing with. Keep reading to learn more about how to get rid of mold with mold remediation or removal.

What Is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation reduces mold and mold removal cleans and treats the area to prevent it from spreading. The remediation process gets mold levels back to a normal, natural state. Some molds produce health-threatening mycotoxins. While it is impossible to remove all mold in a house, certain levels are acceptable to live with.

Mold Remediation Cost

Mold remediation costs an average of $2,360, ranging from $1,225 on the low end to $3,750 on the high end. Mold remediation costs $10 and $25 per square foot.

Other costs may include:

• Replace flooring: Severely damaged flooring may need to be replaced. For vinyl plank flooring, this may cost from $335 for a small bathroom to over $5,000 for a basement.
• Replace drywall: Mold-damaged drywall may need to be removed and replaced. Mold-resistant drywall costs about $20 per 4-foot by 8-foot sheet.
• Improve drainage: Poorly draining yards can cause water to build up, creating mold. Installing an exterior French drain costs $10 to $50 per linear foot.

The cost of mold remediation depends on many factors such as your location, the type of mold, the extent of the damage, and whether or not you temporarily relocate during the process.

Types of Indoor Mold

Certain molds can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins) but mold themselves is not toxic or poisonous. There are three classifications of mold: allergenic (low to moderate); pathogenic (moderate to high); and toxigenic (high to extreme). Below are the most common types of mold found indoors:

• Aspergillus: This common indoor mold grows at an alarmingly fast rate. It appears as green to black flecks or dots and is found in home air conditioning systems, as well as on exposed fruits, vegetables, and grains.
• Alternaria: Another common indoor mold, Alternaria is found in soil, and on plants, fruits, vegetables, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, window frames, and textiles. If exposed, it could trigger asthma or hay fever.
• Cladosporium: This mold is commonly found on cooling units, damp building materials, insulation, and decaying plants. While most species are not harmful, some cause an allergic reaction.
• Chaetomium: This mold has a musty smell. Chaetomium is typically found in water-damaged areas, such as basements, under the carpet, water-logged drywall, or under the roof. It is white-gray to brown in texture and has a cotton-like appearance.
• Penicillium: This type of mold is used in bleu cheese but when it is found in the home in an allergen state, it's not healthy. Penicillium appears as a velvety blue-green mold near water-damaged areas.
• Stachybotrys: Also known as black mold, Stachybotrys is known for its dark green to black coloring. It lurks under tiles, behind walls, and in the ceiling. A professional should remove black mold, as it is highly toxic.

How to Test for Mold

If mold is visible, there is no need to test the mold—mold is considered to be present.

If you would like to test the mold, though, you can purchase a DIY mold sample/test kit for about $10 to $15. Mold test kits can detect airborne or surface mold spores,

Kits typically include a swab, a petri dish, gloves, a mask, and a mailer to send the sample to a testing lab. Results are usually e-mailed back to you within a few days of receipt.

Mold Remediation Process

There are several steps to remediate mold in the home and ensure it does not spread to other areas.

Containment and Ventilation

The first step, and arguably the most important, is setting up containment and ventilation. The use of proper ventilation and air filtration devices (AFDs) such as air scrubbers is required to ensure that mold spores that are disturbed and become airborne do not spread to an uninfected area.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Cleaning and disinfecting is the next step, and this is the stage that includes the actual remediation and disposal of infected materials. After the cleaning and disinfecting, the technicians apply biocide/fungicide/moldicide solutions.

Even though chlorine bleach is often used to kill mold, bleach is not an EPA-approved biocide. For that, you will need to use a product such as Moldstat, an EPA-registered fungicide. If a space with 3 feet by 3 feet of mold growth is heavily concentrated or near the HVAC system, it should be contained to prevent dispersal.

Fix the Mold Source

The next step is where the technicians address any moisture or humidity concerns. For example, if a loose bathroom fan duct is running into an attic, the fan duct may be fixed. If the fix is easy, the mold remediation company may take on the repair by itself. For more involved repairs, the company may hire a sub-contractor or recommend one for the homeowner.

Encapsulate the Mold

Mold that has not been removed can be encapsulated by paint or a similar material. Encapsulation is an approved method of dealing with mold in a home, though it is only an approved method when most of the mold is removed and the affected area is totally dry. The source or cause of the mold should be fixed before painting or caulking. Encapsulating wet active mold sources is not an approved method.

When to Call a Professional

Moldy areas less than 10 square feet can be remediated by the homeowner. For larger areas, it's best to talk to a mold remediation contractor.

When selling a home with mold, buyers may prefer to have the mold abated by professionals rather than using DIY methods.

A certified mold remediation contractor should do the work rather than a general contractor. Mold remediation companies are trained to handle widespread and hazardous mold.

Tips for Mold Remediation and Prevention

Given the cost and difficulty of mold remediation, it's usually best to prevent mold in the first place:

• Ventilate rooms: Naturally ventilate rooms whenever it's reasonable by opening windows.
• Use dehumidifiers: Run a dehumidifier in rooms with persistent moisture.
• Run exhaust fans: Install a high-capacity exhaust fan in the bathroom.
• Remove wet items: Avoid piling wet towels and clothing, such as swimsuits, in the bathroom. Instead, hang towels and clothing up to dry.
• Squeegee the shower door: After a shower, clean the shower walls and door with a squeegee.
• Apply grout sealer: Apply a grout sealer to prevent porous, unsealed grout from soaking up water and allowing water to evaporate into the room.