Mold remediation after a leak starts with the water, because mold grows where things stayed wet, so the job is to find the moisture, contain the area, remove what grew and dry it so it does not come back.
- Window
- EPA says dry within 24 to 48 hours.
- Size it
- Under 10, 10 to 100, or over 100 square feet.
- Testing
- If you can see it, testing is usually not needed.
- Call
- (702) 602-6461 for a mold check.
Mold is a water problem first
EPA is clear on this. Dry water damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours, keep indoor humidity under 60 percent and ideally between 30 and 50, and fix leaks. If an area could not be dried in that window, CDC says to assume there is mold.
So the first thing we look for on a mold call is the water. A wet wall from a slow supply line, an AC drain line that overflowed, a shower pan that leaks. Remove the mold without fixing that and it comes back.
How big is the job
| Size | Area | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 10 sq ft | Most people can clean it themselves with an N95, gloves and goggles. |
| Medium | 10 to 100 sq ft | Limited containment with plastic sheeting. |
| Large | Over 100 sq ft | Full containment. |
Those sizes come from EPA's remediation guide. Someone with asthma, allergies or a weak immune system should not do mold cleanup at any size.
About testing and lab reports
EPA says if you can see mold, testing is usually not needed. There are also no federal limits for mold. Be careful with anyone who says a room passed EPA mold standards. There are none to pass. A test can be useful when you smell mold and cannot find it, or when you need proof for a sale or a dispute. It does not replace finding the water.
Do not run the AC through it
If mold might be in or near your HVAC system, EPA says not to run it. Running it can spread spores through the house. Have the system checked and cleaned before you turn it back on. That is a hard ask in a Las Vegas summer, so we try to sort out the HVAC question on the first visit.
Health questions
EPA lists allergy type symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash, asthma attacks and irritation as the common effects. If someone in the house has symptoms, talk to a health professional. We clean up houses. We do not diagnose people.
Where we do this
North Las Vegas, Aliante, Sun City Aliante, Eldorado, Villages at Tule Springs, Valley Vista, Craig Ranch Park Area, Centennial Hills, Las Vegas, Summerlin, Henderson.