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IICRC S520

Mold Remediation

Professional mold testing, removal, and prevention

Mold remediation follows EPA and IICRC S520 protocols: containment, HEPA air filtration, removal of affected materials, antimicrobial treatment, and post-remediation air quality testing. Certified remediators use negative pressure containment to prevent cross-contamination to unaffected areas.

Average cost

$1,500–$12,000

Typical completion

5 days

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What type of damage?
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Gloved hands with disinfectant spray during mold remediation work
Gloved hands with disinfectant spray during mold remediation work

Quick answer

Mold remediation is the IICRC S520 process of containing an affected area, filtering the air with HEPA equipment, removing contaminated porous materials, and correcting the moisture source that fed the growth. Typical residential cost is $1,500–$12,000 over about five days. Remediation without fixing the moisture source is temporary — the colony returns on the same schedule.

Common Causes of Mold Remediation

  • Untreated water damage
  • Chronic leaks
  • High indoor humidity
  • Inadequate ventilation
  • Flood damage

What the Restoration Process Involves

  1. 1Initial assessment: moisture meters, thermal imaging, damage classification under IICRC IICRC S520
  2. 2Water extraction with truck-mounted or portable extraction units
  3. 3Structural drying with industrial air movers and dehumidifiers
  4. 4Antimicrobial treatment of affected surfaces
  5. 5Daily moisture monitoring until IICRC dry standards are met
  6. 6Restoration of damaged structural elements, flooring, and finishes
  7. 7Final documentation package for your insurance claim

What Mold Remediation Looks Like

Room contents covered in plastic sheeting during containment work
Containment: plastic sheeting and negative air keep spores inside the work zone. Photo: Pexels
Heavy mold and moisture damage spreading across an interior wall
Chronic damp feeds wall colonies far beyond the visible patch. Photo: Pexels

Mold Remediation by City

Anchorage

Alaska

Huntsville

Alabama

Birmingham

Alabama

Montgomery

Alabama

Mobile

Alabama

Little Rock

Arkansas

View all cities

Mold Remediation Questions

How do I know if I have toxic black mold?
Only laboratory testing can confirm mold species. 'Black mold' (Stachybotrys chartarum) requires chronic moisture over weeks or months to grow. However, any visible mold growth — regardless of color — should be professionally remediated. Do not try to identify species by appearance alone.
Can I clean mold myself with bleach?
Bleach kills surface mold on non-porous materials but does NOT penetrate porous materials like drywall and wood. DIY cleaning can also disturb mold and release thousands of spores into your air. For areas over 10 square feet, the EPA recommends professional remediation.
Will insurance cover mold remediation?
Coverage depends on the cause. If mold resulted from a covered water damage event (burst pipe), most policies cover remediation as part of the claim. If mold resulted from gradual leaks or lack of maintenance, most policies exclude it. Document the water source and timeline.
How long does mold remediation take, and when can we move back in?
Mold remediation for a typical residential project (one or two rooms, under 100 sq ft) takes 3–5 days including containment setup, demolition of affected materials, antimicrobial treatment, drying, and post-remediation testing. After remediation is complete, post-clearance air sampling (performed by a certified industrial hygienist, not the remediation contractor) requires an additional 1–3 days for lab results. You should not return to the affected area until clearance testing confirms spore counts are within acceptable ranges relative to exterior baseline air. Reconstruction of removed drywall and flooring follows clearance and typically adds another 1–2 weeks for a standard scope.
What is the difference between a mold inspector and a mold remediator, and do I need both?
A mold inspector (certified industrial hygienist or CIEC) tests for mold — they take air samples, surface samples, and moisture readings to confirm presence, species, and scope. They do NOT perform cleanup. A mold remediator (IICRC AMRT-certified contractor) performs the physical cleanup — containment, demolition, antimicrobial treatment. They do NOT test results. You ideally need both: an inspector to establish scope and confirm clearance, and a separate remediator to do the work. Never hire a company that both tests AND remediates the same project — this is an inherent conflict of interest because the remediator has a financial incentive to find (or exaggerate) mold. The EPA's guidance on mold recommends using separate companies for testing and remediation.

HearthDry is an independent resource. We do not perform restoration work. We connect homeowners with licensed, IICRC-certified third-party contractors. Cost ranges are estimates only. Verify contractor licensing before hiring.