Mold remediation in Virginia

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 Virginia 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.