Our Process: Inspection, Protocol, Remediation, Clearance

From first call to clearance

What happens, step by step?

Here is the full sequence, from first call to clearance. Not every job needs every step, and we will tell you when yours does not.

1. The first call. You describe what you see or smell and any recent leaks. If water is still coming in, stopping it comes first, and 24/7 emergency response is available.
2. Inspection and moisture mapping. A visual check with a moisture meter, a hygrometer and often thermal imaging to find wet areas behind walls and under floors. The goal is the moisture source, not just the stain.
3. Sampling, when it helps. If the mold is hidden, if you need documentation, or if you want a baseline, an air sample with an outdoor control or a surface sample is sent to an accredited lab. If the cause is obvious, testing is often optional.
4. A written protocol and quote. The scope is written down: which rooms, which materials come out, what containment is needed, and what clearance has to show. You get the price in writing before work starts.
5. Fix the water. The leak, condensate line, drain or ventilation problem has to be repaired, or the mold will come back.
6. Containment and remediation. The work area is sealed, put under negative air pressure, and moldy porous materials are removed and bagged. Surfaces are HEPA vacuumed and cleaned, and the area is dried.
7. Clearance testing. Before rebuilding, the area is checked visually, for moisture, and usually with air samples. If it fails, it gets cleaned again and retested.
8. Rebuild. Drywall and finishes go back only after clearance.

Step 3

What does mold remediation look like inside the house?

Expect plastic sheeting, a zipper door and a filter fan. The sealed room keeps spores from drifting through the home. A HEPA air scrubber pulls air out of the work area, which keeps it under slightly lower pressure than the rooms around it. That is what “negative air” means.

Workers wear protective gear. Moldy drywall, insulation and carpet are cut out, bagged and removed, because porous materials cannot be reliably cleaned. Framing and solid surfaces are HEPA vacuumed, cleaned, and sanded if needed. Then the area is dried until moisture readings are normal.

How much containment does a job need?

The 10 square foot line comes from EPA guidance. Below it, a homeowner can usually clean mold on hard surfaces. Above it, or inside walls or HVAC, professional containment is safer. For how long each stage takes and whether you can stay home, read how long mold remediation takes.

Step 4

Why should clearance testing be independent?

We recommend that clearance testing be done by an independent tester, not the company that did the removal. A company grading its own work has a conflict of interest.

Clearance usually means a visual check for dust and growth, moisture readings, and air samples compared with an outdoor control. It typically runs $300–$600 in Los Angeles. Learn more on our post-remediation clearance testing page, or read why an independent mold inspector matters.

What you get in writing

• Inspection findings: where the mold is, moisture readings, and the likely source.
• Lab results: if samples were taken, the lab report with the outdoor control for comparison.
• Protocol and quote: the written scope and price, before any work begins.
• Clearance results: the post-remediation report showing the area passed.
• Useful for later: records for insurance, a landlord dispute or a home sale.