Mold
Mold remediation in Maryland
Musty basement, spots after a leak, or growth behind drywall. Small patches can be a weekend job. Larger or hidden growth needs containment and a trained crew.
Local Water & Mold is a referral service. A participating local company answers the call and does the work.
How the work goes
What a professional mold remediation job involves
- 01
Assessment
Find the moisture source and the extent of growth, including inside walls, under floors and in ductwork.
- 02
Containment
Seal the work area with plastic and run negative air machines with HEPA filters so spores don't spread.
- 03
Removal and cleaning
Remove and bag porous materials that can't be cleaned, HEPA-vacuum, and clean remaining surfaces.
- 04
Drying and prevention
Dry the structure, fix the moisture problem, and set humidity control so it doesn't come back.
Signs you need more than a scrub brush
- Growth over more than about 10 square feet, the EPA's threshold for homeowner cleanup.
- Mold after sewage, a toilet overflow or floodwater.
- A musty smell with no visible source, which often means growth inside a wall or under flooring.
- Mold that returns after cleaning.
- Anyone in the home with asthma, allergies or a weakened immune system.
What remediation won't do
No company can make a house mold-free. Mold spores are in all outdoor and indoor air. The goal of remediation is to remove active growth and fix the moisture that fed it. Be wary of anyone who promises permanent results without addressing the water source.
Insurance and mold
Many Maryland homeowners policies limit or exclude mold, especially from long-term leaks or humidity. Mold that results from a covered, sudden water loss is more likely to be covered, often up to a smaller sublimit. That's another reason to start drying within a day or two of any leak.
Questions
Mold remediation FAQ
When should I call a professional for mold?
How much does mold remediation cost?
Do I need a mold test before remediation?
How long does mold remediation take?
Local help
Pick your county
Each county page has local risk data and the call line for that area.
- Allegany County Cumberland 21 muggy nights/yr
- Anne Arundel County Annapolis 84 muggy nights/yr
- Baltimore County Towson 61 muggy nights/yr
- Calvert County Prince Frederick 83 muggy nights/yr
- Caroline County Denton 69 muggy nights/yr
- Carroll County Westminster 44 muggy nights/yr
- Cecil County Elkton 68 muggy nights/yr
- Charles County La Plata 83 muggy nights/yr
- Dorchester County Cambridge 81 muggy nights/yr
- Frederick County Frederick 49 muggy nights/yr
- Garrett County Oakland 5 muggy nights/yr
- Harford County Bel Air 64 muggy nights/yr
- Howard County Ellicott City 55 muggy nights/yr
- Kent County Chestertown 78 muggy nights/yr
- Montgomery County Rockville 62 muggy nights/yr
- Prince George's County Upper Marlboro 76 muggy nights/yr
- Queen Anne's County Centreville 76 muggy nights/yr
- Somerset County Princess Anne 90 muggy nights/yr
- St. Mary's County Leonardtown 85 muggy nights/yr
- Talbot County Easton 82 muggy nights/yr
- Washington County Hagerstown 42 muggy nights/yr
- Wicomico County Salisbury 76 muggy nights/yr
- Worcester County Snow Hill 85 muggy nights/yr