Our editorial team researches mold, moisture, and indoor air quality using guidance from the EPA, CDC, state licensing boards, and industry standards such as IICRC S520.
Guides by Editorial Team
Removal & Remediation Black Mold in the Shower: How to Remove It and When It Signals a Bigger Problem Black spots on shower grout and caulk are common and usually easy to clean. Here is how to remove them, when to replace caulk, and when they point to a leak. Health & Safety Black Mold: What It Is, Why It Grows, and What to Do About It Black mold usually means Stachybotrys chartarum, a greenish-black mold that grows on materials that stay wet. Here is what it is, why it grows, and what to do. Removal & Remediation DIY Mold Removal vs. Hiring a Professional: When You Can Do It Yourself Small patches of mold on hard surfaces are often a DIY job; large areas, hidden growth, and AC mold are not. Here is how to tell and how to clean safely. Insurance & Costs Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold? What Is Usually Paid and What Is Not Homeowners insurance usually covers mold only after a sudden, covered loss such as a burst pipe, and often only up to a set limit. Here is how it works. Renters Florida Mold Law for Renters: Your Landlord's Duties, the 7-Day Notice, and Your Options Florida has no mold-specific rental law, but landlords must keep units up to code and in repair. Here is how the 7-day notice works and what your options are. Inspection & Testing Free Mold Inspection: What You Actually Get and What to Ask Before You Book A free first visit is usually a visual check and a quote, not lab testing or an independent report. Here is what you get and what to ask before you book. Inspection & Testing How to Test for Mold in Your Home: Your Options and When You Can Skip It If you can see mold, you usually do not need a test. Here is when testing helps, the main types of tests, what DIY kits can tell you, and what it costs. Health & Safety Is Black Mold Dangerous? What Health Agencies Actually Say Black mold can cause the same allergy and breathing problems as other molds, and some people are at higher risk. Here is what the CDC and EPA actually say. Inspection & Testing Do Home Inspections Check for Mold? What Buyers and Sellers Should Know A home inspection notes visible moisture and possible mold but does not test for it. Here is when to add a mold inspection and what to do if mold turns up. Removal & Remediation Mold Behind Drywall: How to Tell, What Causes It, and How It Is Removed Mold inside walls usually starts with a hidden leak. Here are the signs, why moldy drywall usually has to come out, how removal works, and what it costs. Health & Safety Mold Exposure Testing: What Medical and Home Tests Can and Cannot Tell You Testing for mold exposure can mean testing your body or your home. Here is what doctors use, why urine mycotoxin tests are not recommended, and where to start. Removal & Remediation Mold in the Attic: Causes, What It Looks Like, and How It Is Removed Attic mold usually comes from roof leaks, poor ventilation, or moist air from the house. Here is how to spot it, what removal involves, and what it costs. Removal & Remediation Mold in the Basement: Causes, Signs, and How to Get Rid of It Basements are a common place for mold because they sit below ground. Here is why it grows, how to tell mold from efflorescence, and how to remove it. Removal & Remediation Mold in the Crawl Space: Signs, Causes, Removal, and Encapsulation Crawl space mold grows out of sight but affects floors and air upstairs. Here are the signs, how remediation works, and when encapsulation helps. Removal & Remediation Mold in the AC and Air Ducts: Signs, Causes, and How It Is Removed Mold in the air conditioning system can spread odor and spores through the house. Here are the signs, why it grows, what the EPA says about ducts, and costs. Insurance & Costs How Much Does a Mold Inspection Cost? Prices, Testing Fees, and What You Get Most mold inspections cost about $300 to $1,000, averaging near $670. See what drives the price, what lab testing adds, and when an inspection is worth it. Inspection & Testing What Is a Mold Inspection? How It Works, What It Finds, and When You Need One A mold inspection finds mold and the moisture feeding it. See what happens during the visit, when sampling makes sense, how long it takes, and who can do it. Removal & Remediation Mold on the Ceiling: Causes, How to Clean It, and When It Means a Leak Ceiling mold comes from steam in the room or water from above. Here is how to tell which, how to clean a bathroom ceiling, and when the drywall has to go. Insurance & Costs How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost? Prices by Size, Location, and Scope Most mold remediation jobs cost a few thousand dollars, but prices run from under $1,000 to $30,000. See costs by size and location and what drives them. Removal & Remediation What Is Mold Remediation? The Process, the Timeline, and What Happens After Mold remediation removes mold growth and fixes the moisture behind it. Here is what the process involves, how long it takes, and how to know the job is done. Removal & Remediation Mold vs. Mildew: How to Tell the Difference and What to Do About Each Mildew is a type of mold that stays on the surface, while other molds grow into materials. Here is how to tell them apart, including black mold vs. mildew. Renters Does Renters Insurance Cover Mold? Your Belongings, Your Landlord, and Your Options Renters insurance may pay for belongings damaged by mold after a sudden, covered loss. Cleaning up the unit itself is usually the landlord's job. Inspection & Testing Signs of Mold in Your House: What to Look, Smell, and Check For A musty smell, stains, peeling paint, and a recent leak are common signs of mold at home. Here is what each one means and where hidden mold tends to grow. Health & Safety What Does Black Mold Look Like? How to Recognize It, and What It Might Be Instead Black mold is usually greenish-black and often looks slimy or sooty, but many molds are dark and some dark stains are not mold at all. Here is how to tell.