Mold remediation in Southwest Florida, checked by the lab

Killing mold isn’t removing it

A lot of mold work in Florida still follows the same routine: spray the visible growth, fog the house, paint over the stain and move on to the next job. That kills mold. It doesn’t take away what the mold left behind.

Some of the molds that thrive in wet Florida homes produce mycotoxins, stable compounds that settle into dust and cling to drywall, block, furniture and the inside of the AC system. They aren’t alive, so a biocide has nothing to kill. That’s why our work is built around mycotoxins as well as visible mold: we remove the materials and dust they ride on, break down what remains, and don’t close a job until independent testing says the home is clean.

How testing and removal work in Florida

Florida licenses mold assessors and mold remediators separately, under Chapter 468, Part XVI of the Florida Statutes. Section 468.8419 says an assessor may not remediate a structure it assessed within 12 months, and a remediator may not assess a structure it remediated within 12 months, clearance included. Certified Division I contractors are the exception.

So on our Southwest Florida projects, an independent licensed mold assessor inspects and samples the home, writes the scope, and performs clearance testing. We do the remediation to that protocol. We think that’s the right way to do it. The company testing your home has no reason to find more mold than is there, and the company removing it can’t grade its own work. Our page on mold inspection and testing in Southwest Florida explains what the assessor does and what to ask for.

How a Southwest Florida project runs

1. Independent assessment. A licensed assessor inspects, takes air, surface or dust samples and writes the remediation protocol.
2. Scope and price. You get a written plan before anything is removed, based on that protocol.
3. Stop the water. A roof leak, a window, a plumbing line or an AC drain: the source is found and corrected, or the mold comes back.
4. Contain and remove. Sealed barriers and negative air protect the rest of the house while damaged drywall, insulation and flooring come out.
5. Clean and break down toxins. HEPA vacuuming and detailed cleaning of block, framing and slab, then plant-based enzyme treatments made to break down mycotoxins. We use products from US Enzyme.
6. Air and AC. Air scrubbers run during the work, and the air handler and ducts are cleaned when the assessment points to them.
7. Independent clearance. The assessor retests before walls are closed. You keep the lab report.

Where we find mold in Gulf Coast homes

• The AC closet. Air handlers, drain pans, return plenums and the drywall around them are the most common spot we see, because they’re cold and wet every day the system runs.
• Behind drywall on block walls. Water that gets into block through cracked stucco or around windows can wet the back of the drywall without showing on the front.
• Under sinks and behind cabinets. Slow plumbing leaks go unnoticed, especially in homes that sit empty part of the year.
• Along the bottom of walls after a storm. Surge and flood water wick up drywall and baseboards, and tile floors hide a wet slab.
• Closets and bathrooms. Small rooms with little air movement stay humid when the AC is set high or turned off.

For homes that sit closed up for the summer, our seasonal home mold page covers what to check when you get back and how to set the house up before you leave.

Choosing a mold company in Southwest Florida

After a big storm, trucks from all over the country show up, and not all of them know Florida’s rules. Ask any company you’re considering how testing and clearance are handled, whether an independent assessor is involved, whether they deal with mycotoxins or only visible mold, and what documentation you’ll get at the end. You can also check a Florida mold license on the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.

Our name is American Mold Experts, in full. We’re an IICRC Certified Firm, our team holds CMR, CRMI and CCMI credentials, and we’re members of NAMRI, IAQA, NORMI, AMMA and PMII. We’re BBB A+ accredited and family-owned since 2008, with a Midwest office in Avon, Indiana, and a team that travels nationwide. Every job is backed by a complete-removal guarantee. We don’t close a job on a failed result.

When someone in the house is sick

Many families who call us have felt worse at home for months, and a doctor has suggested the house could be part of it. For them, a standard mold job isn’t enough. We plan the work around the most sensitive person in the home, make sure mycotoxins are part of the testing and the cleanup, and with your permission share the reports with your doctor. If you’re still deciding whether to call anyone, the free AI Mold Risk Check takes about three minutes.

We remove mold and mycotoxins from buildings. We don’t diagnose or treat medical conditions. If you have symptoms, please work with a doctor. With your permission, we’re glad to share test results and our plan with them.