Best Mold Removal Based on In-Depth Reviews
- 200+Hours of research
- 20+Sources used
- 10Companies vetted
- 3Features reviewed
- 5Top
Picks
- Mold can grow wherever there is excessive moisture
- Assess the gravity of your mold problem before contacting professionals
- Consider removing smaller amounts of mold yourself
- Mold can be very dangerous for asthmatics and immune-compromised people
How we analyzed the best Mold Removal Services
Our Top Picks: Mold Removal Reviews
Mold is a big problem for American households. In a 2007 Indoor Air Journal article, the EPA and the Lawrence Berkeley laboratory revealed that “Of the 21.8 million people reported to have asthma in the U.S., approximately 4.6 million cases are estimated to be attributable to dampness and mold exposure in the home.” Exposure can also result in chronic sinus infections, 93% of which have been attributed to mold. Moreover, it’s estimated that the annual cost of dampness and mold is around $3.7 billion for allergic rhinitis, $1.9 billion for acute bronchitis, $15.1 billion for asthma morbidity, and $1.7 billion for asthma mortality, according to the Journal of Environmental and Public Health.
Mold removal or mold remediation companies employ a number of tools and methods to identify, isolate, and remove mold. These include, but are not limited to, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) cleaning, protective clothing, dry brushing, wet vacuuming, and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuuming. Mold remediation companies also include mold assessment and identification services, though some companies refer to third-party assessors for this part of the process.
All the companies we reviewed for this article are able to provide mold remediation for both commercial and residential buildings. They are also certified to provide remediation services by different regulatory agents, in some cases at a local level. Because they are all similarly excellent and perform well in many key areas, we chose to review them without placing them into a specific category. Instead, we named a few strengths for each company, which should help consumers choose the company that best fits their needs. Lastly, due to the need for a physical assessment and the large number of factors that contribute to the cost of professional mold remediation, we decided not to include service quotes.
ServiceMaster Restore review
Screenshot Servicemasterrestore.com, July 2020
ServiceMaster Restore uses EPA-registered products to clean surfaces with mold. In the case of more extensive mold situations, the company cuts away the damp drywall, sands the wood and replaces it to eliminate the mold completely. If the floor is affected by mold, the company disposes and replaces the carpet after the floorboards are cleaned and sanitized.
The company has more than 1,900 locations throughout the United States—and additional locations in 14 countries around the world, including Canada. Moreover, ServiceMaster also has agreements with some of the largest property insurers in the United States, making it easier to file a claim and keep costs lower for the consumer.
ServiceMaster Restore mold remediation program boils down to the following steps, as listed on its website:
- Locating the mold and the water sources that feed mold in your home or business
- Assessing the damage caused by the mold
- Isolating & containing the mold by using techniques like physical barriers & negative air pressure to prevent it from spreading
- Capturing, filtering & scrubbing microscopic mold spores from the air
- Removing mold with antimicrobial & antifungal treatments
- Disposing of mold-infested porous materials
- Cleaning, sanitizing & deodorizing belongings as needed
- Repairing & reconstructing damaged areas to restore your home or business.
SERVPRO review
Screenshot Servpro.com, July 2020
As a business specializing in water and mold damage restoration, Servpro’s professionals include qualified Applied Microbial Remediation Specialists, Water Damage Restoration Technicians, and Applied Structural Drying Technicians. The company uses advanced equipment to detect colonies of mold and the source of water feeding them. Servpro’s mold remediation process consists of the following steps:
- Inspecting your property for visible signs of mold by using various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.
- Using various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold, including advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
- Filtrating the air via powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to capture and prevent the spread of microscopic mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.
- When necessary, removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.
- Cleaning and sanitizing belongings, such as furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold, removing odors, and deodorizing with fogging equipment.
- Depending on the level of mold damage, removing drywall, subfloors, and other building materials and doing repairs, minor—replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet—or major—reconstructing various areas or rooms.
Paul Davis Restoration review
Screenshot Pauldavis.com, July 2020
Paul Davis Restoration performs all types of mold remediation, ranging from dry rot to dangerous black, pink, yellow, and white molds. Its mold remediation service follows four major tenets: Triage, Mitigate, Restore, and Back Safe and Sound. What this means is that the company focuses on quickly addressing issues with mold, stopping the damage, restoring and protecting the location, and making sure clients are back in their home or business as soon as possible.
The company is known for innovations in the field, in particular, its collaboration with the insurance industry to more efficiently service policyholders by introducing computerized estimates and line item pricing when preparing job quotes. Its technicians are all trained in IICRC approved courses (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) and are certified in emergency restoration, reconstruction, and remodeling at the company’s National Training Center, located in the company’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.
Paul Davis Restoration also promises all the following with its residential and commercial mold remediation services:
- 24/7 emergency response
- Prompt mold infiltration assessment from trained professionals
- Industrial-grade water extractors, dehumidifiers, air movers and other equipment used to efficiently remove excess water
- Efficient containment of affected area and removal of contaminated materials
- Cleaning of contents and other personal possessions
- Application of disinfectants and antimicrobials used to help prevent future mold growth
- Sanitation, deodorization, and air purification
- Assistance with the insurance claims process
Indoor Restore Environmental Services review
Screenshot Indoorrestore.com, July 2020
Indoor-Restore Environmental Services specializes in the detection, assessment, and elimination of indoor contaminants and property damage. One advantage of Indoor-Restore is its employee requirements and training. The company asks new staff members for years of prior experience and requires that they complete an in-house training program that includes both classroom and on-the-job testing. All staff members—both in-office client services and field specialists—are put through this training. Furthermore, the staff is evaluated quarterly and re-certified twice annually.
Cost is another big advantage of Indoor-Restore’s services. The company guarantees to beat the pricing of any competitor by 5% (for apples-to-apples services) and to provide costs up-front. It also issues a 10-year warranty that mold will not return in the areas it works on. It is also a member of the Indoor Environmental Association (IEA), which means it must uphold the association’s strict guidelines for environmental testing, industrial hygiene, and IAQ. These are established by administrations such as the World Health Organization, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency.
AdvantaClean review
Screenshot Advantaclean.com, July 2020
AdvantaClean started in Florida as a contracting business specializing in emergency loss mitigation services and structural repairs to homes and buildings. Today, the company offers a number of services, including emergency water removal, mold remediation, and air duct cleaning for residential, commercial, institutional, and governmental properties.
AdvantaClean specialists start their process of mold remediation by doing a customized mold inspection. Its mold testing options include air-o-cell tests and swab samples to identify the type and concentration of the mold present in the environment of the client’s location. Once that is done, they develop a plan to contain the work area and limit the spread of mold into surrounding areas. Then, the specialists use HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums to finalize the mold removal process once the affected areas have been thoroughly dried and any contaminated materials have been removed.
Further Insight into Our Methodology
Getting rid of mold should be simple enough: make a call and get the right people on the job. But who exactly do we call? There are hundreds of mold removal companies throughout the US. Many mold remediation companies also list the same services, which doesn’t make the choice any easier.
Our goal when researching mold removal was to understand the science, process, and technology behind it. We first looked up the different types of mold common to American households and learned how they can compromise our respiratory systems. We then read about how different companies approach mold removal. Lastly, we researched the variety of tools that mold remediation companies use to help them do their job.
To find this information we visited a variety of resources online, including the CDC, OSHA, and the EPA. After finishing our research on mold and mold removal, we started to look at other aspects of the companies. For example, we looked at the many different types of certification and what they meant. We also looked into how companies assess mold damage to create price estimates for consumers.
We split our criteria into three groups:
Availability
Many mold removal companies operate at a local level, meaning they serve just a few states or even specific counties. Looking through each and every one of these would be extremely time consuming. Moreover, reviewing them would be of little or no value to those for whom the service is unavailable. Because of this, we limited our list to companies to those with a wider service area.
All of the companies we ended up reviewing have locations in at least half of all states in the US. Some even offer mold removal and remediation services in Canada, as well.
Service
We focused on two main things when considering the service factor: 1) the tools that companies use for mold remediation and 2) the remediation process itself. We favored companies with more detailed explanations of how exactly they provide mold removal services. Any companies that did not at least mention the kind of equipment they use such as protective gear, HEPA vacuums, and the steps they take— like dehumidifying and putting areas on quarantine—for removing mold did not make it to our final list.
In addition to the actual service itself, we also considered other elements, including time in business and any pertinent certifications. The former is important in order to know that a company is experienced and knows what they are doing. Certifications, on the other hand, are numerous and can be valid at a national or local level. We chose to review only companies with the appropriate certifications to prove that they are qualified to provide the services they advertise.
Cost
Cost was the hardest of all the three factors to evaluate. The price of mold remediation varies depending on how large the infestation is, where the infestation is located in the building and the type of mold responsible for the infestation. These are all things that company employees need to assess in person.
Instead of focusing on the price of remediation, we looked at other factors that can affect the final cost of getting mold removed by professionals. For example, some companies will offer to match a price assessment offered by another company, or even beat it. Additionally, longer-lasting warranties ensure that the remediation work you paid for is covered for a greater period of time and doesn’t come back to bite you in the wallet.
Helpful Information about Mold Removal
Just What Is Mold, Anyway?
Molds are a type of fungi such as mushrooms, yeast, moss, and mildew. A natural part of the environment, mold can be found almost anywhere that moisture and oxygen are present, from the damp, shady undergrowth of forests to the corner of your living room. Like other fungi, mold has probably been around far longer than plants and animals. It also plays a pivotal part in nature as one of its main decomposers—it can even decompose some petroleum products, pesticides, and radiation, as in the case of Chernobyl’s black mold.
Although unseemly, mold is actually used in a variety of man-made products. Some types of cheeses, such as Brie, Roquefort, and blue cheese are injected with mold early in their production. Tempeh can also be made with different types of molds used as starter cultures. And in Eastern Asia, a mold is used to ferment a soybean and wheat mixture to make soybean paste and soy sauce.
(color: dark grey, brown, or black; texture: velvety; typically grows on: plants, wood, and building materials)
One of the most common allergenic molds in the world. May cause asthma-like symptoms including in the upper respiratory tract, nose and mouth, for those with compromised immune systems. Spreads quickly.
(color: yellow, green, black, many others; texture: velvety; typically grows on: dust, ventilation ducts, and potted plants)
Because there are over 185 species, it’s appearance may vary. Certain species can produce carcinogens known as aflatoxins.
(color: olive green, brown, black; texture: velvety to powdery; typically grows on: indoor materials such as fabrics, upholsteries, and carpets)
Grows in both warm and cold conditions. Exposure to it may lead to allergic reactions, skin rashes, lung infections, and sinusitis.
(color: grayish blue or green; texture: velvety to powdery; typically grows on: building material and accumulated soil)
Treasured for its antibiotic production and food processing capabilities. It can cause pulmonary inflammation, asthma, and chronic sinusitis when exposed to it for longer periods of time.
(color: dark greenish-black; texture: slimy to powdery; typically grows on: cellulose material)
Also known as the nefarious black mold. Can cause severe health problems and has been linked to neurological problems in children and pulmonary bleeding in infants.
Where and How Does Mold Grow?
Mold can grow anywhere—literally. Food, wood, cement, paper, carpet; you name it. It can be found year-round in virtually every type of environment, both indoors and out. All it needs to grow are the right conditions, namely a high level of humidity and dampness. Outdoors, mold grows more often where vegetation and other organic matter is decomposing, like in the thicket undergrowth or in trash dumps. Indoors, mold can be found on bathroom tiles, in pipes, walls, or leaky roofs, and anywhere else that may experience excessive dampness due to water exposure, for example.
Mold spreads through spores that are carried into buildings via heating and air conditioning systems and open doorways, windows, and vents. Spores can also attach to items worn outside and bring mold into the home with them. After entering your home or detaching from an item of clothing, these mold spores can land anywhere else in your home. They may land in an area where moisture is sufficient to support their growth; the perfect environment to start a colony.
For people who live in areas near water, such as by lakes or the ocean, or who suffer continuous or heavy rainfall, indoor mold may seem like an inevitability. Likewise, those who live in dry areas could be led to believe that they will never have issues with mold. In fact, geography doesn’t have as outsized an impact on indoor mold growth as it does on outdoor mold growth. If something gets wet inside your home, chances are high you could experience mold growth if the area problem isn’t addressed beforehand.
Why Mold Is Dangerous
Mold plays an essential part in nature by breaking down dead matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees. Without mold and other natural decomposers, the outdoors would be filled with organic debris. Mold can also be found in nearly all of our homes, albeit at lower levels. It’s when mold grows into a colony that problems can begin to surface. This is why large quantities of indoor mold are considered an infestation.
Mold Exposure to mold does not always result in dramatic repercussions to a person’s health. Some people may react with a variety of effects on their health, whereas others may not react at all. However, exposure to large amounts of mold spores can easily lead to reactions ranging from the minor, such as a stuffy nose and runny eyes, to the severe, which include fever, shortness of breath, and asthma attacks. Moreover, certain molds produce what are known as mycotoxins. These are chemical components that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals, including neurological damage and even death. People should always prevent mold from accumulating in large quantities and address the problem as quickly as possible, if and when it does happen.
❟ Headaches
❟ Sore throats
❟ Coughing
❟ Sneezing
❟ Fatigue
❟ Chronic sinusitis
❟ Rashes or hives
❟ Red, itchy, watery eyes
❟ Runny or stuffed up nose
❟ Pneumonia and bronchitis
❟ Depressed immune system
❟ Asthma attacks / asthma-like symptoms
❟ Trouble breathing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
Professional vs DIY mold Removal
For people suffering from a mold infestation, the issue usually boils down to one question: Can I get rid of it myself? In most cases, where mold has overtaken certain areas of the building and is visible, the answer to this question is no. In cases where the mold is still somewhat contained, calling a professional might seem excessive or wasteful.
Many products are advertised as methods for getting rid of mold. Bleach, for one, is usually mentioned as a cheap alternative for killing mold colonies. While it shouldn’t take too long of a Google search to learn why doing so is a bad idea, this can mislead consumers into thinking that simple solutions can get rid of mold growth. The reality is that if mold has already spread past an area of approx. 10 square feet, you should call a professional instead of trying to do it yourself.
Infestation at or below 10 square feet can be handled by consumers on their own, so long as they have the necessary tools and have educated themselves on how to proceed with the task. Anything larger than 10 feet should be handled by professionals.
There are two main issues with trying to remove mold yourself. The first is that using a biocide, such as bleach, is insufficient. Even after the mold itself is “dead,” the chemicals and proteins that remain can continue to cause harmful reactions in human beings. The second is that removing mold without isolating the infested area beforehand can further disperse the spores in the area. Without the necessary protective gear, you will breathe in a large volume of spores, which could have adverse effects on your health. Furthermore, if other areas of your home suffer from excessive moisture or dampness, mold growth may simply migrate elsewhere.
What to Watch Out for with Mold Removal
Unnecessary Mold Assessments
When contacting a mold removal or mold remediation company, you’ll often be asked to let an employee into your home to assess the damage and prepare a price estimate for the service. This is enough for most consumers, given that mold usually becomes visible when it is becoming a problem. Testing for mold is otherwise unnecessary unless you feel that there is mold growing in an area that you cannot determine. This can happen if your home has flooded or suffered water damage recently. If that is the case and you are suffering from symptoms that could be the result of exposure to mold, consider calling a mold inspection company before you contact a mold remediation company. If you can already see the mold growing in an area of your home, the money and time that would go into the inspection will be better spent addressing the problem as quickly as possible through mold remediation.
FAQs About Mold Removal
What's the difference between “mold removal” and “mold remediation” ?
The terms mold removal and mold remediation are often used when referring to the elimination of mold in infested areas. However, mold removal is used as a catch-all term for removing mold personally or through professional intervention, and mold remediation is a term used by companies that specialize in eliminating mold. Unlike removal, remediation implies a series of steps and processes that most consumers are unfit to do on their own. That is why remediation is most commonly used by companies that are certified to remove mold and/or have many years working in the field.
Is mildew a mold?
Like mold, mildew is a fungus that can be found on the surface of moist areas. It is typically grey, whereas fungi can be black, green, or even pink. Most importantly, where mildew can easily be treated with a store-bought cleaner and a scrubbing brush, mold may require a more extensive removal process, especially when in large quantities.
How much does professional mold removal cost?
According to data compiled by HomeAdvisor from customer surveys, the price of mold removal ranges between $1,115 - $3,343. Professional mold removal requires a number of tools and gear that is expensive to procure. Furthermore, those working in the industry need to be trained to remove mold properly and use said equipment. This all drives the price of mold remediation up, but what makes the price vary so much is the details of each project. Because no one remediation project is the same in size or nature, the price will naturally be different depending on a number of factors.