Do you need a mold pro?
The EPA’s common homeowner cutoff is about 10 square feet of visible mold on a hard surface, with clean water, no hidden growth, and no high-risk occupants. Anything past that is a professional job. This is a decision guide, not a bid or a health diagnosis.
Question 1 of 5
How much mold can you see?
What surface is it on?
What kind of water was involved?
Is any of it hidden?
Behind walls or under flooring, or you only smell it.
Does anyone in the home have asthma, a weakened immune system, or is there an infant?
Your result
This is not a bid, a clearance test, or medical advice. EPA guidance is a starting point. If occupants are getting worse, stop cleaning and get help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EPA 10 square foot rule?
EPA guidance says most homeowners can clean less than about 10 square feet of mold on a hard surface themselves, using detergent and water, with the moisture source fixed. Larger areas, porous materials, sewage, HVAC, and hidden growth are outside that DIY box. Read DIY or professional.
Can I clean mold off drywall or carpet myself?
Usually no. Drywall, insulation, and carpet hold mold in the material. Wiping the face does not remove it. Those materials are typically cut out under containment, not scrubbed.
What if I only smell mold?
A musty smell with nothing visible is treated as hidden growth until proven otherwise. Do not open walls as a first step. Call a professional who can inspect without spreading spores through the house.
Is bleach the right DIY cleaner?
On hard, non-porous surfaces, detergent and water (or an EPA-registered product used as labeled) is the usual approach. Bleach does not reach mold inside porous materials. See the cleaning guides.
- No-obligation phone consultation
- Vetted local mold pros
- You decide whether to book