Why mold follows water in South Florida
Mold needs three things: spores, which the EPA says are found almost everywhere indoors, something to feed on such as drywall paper or wood, and moisture. The first two are always present. Water damage supplies the third. A slow leak behind a vanity, a wet carpet pad nobody pulled up, or a wall that took on floodwater and was painted over before it dried can all grow mold, and South Florida's warm, humid air makes the drying harder.
That is why this site treats mold as its own kind of call. When you call (844) 906-3984 and mention mold, the automated assistant sends you to a mold specialist instead of a general restoration company. Dominion Water Damage itself does not test for or remove mold. It connects you with an independent company that does, and that company quotes and is paid directly.
Signs worth a call
A smell that stays
A musty odor in a closet, under a sink or after the AC cycles, even when you cannot see anything.
Spots or staining
Gray, green or black spotting on drywall, grout, ceilings or baseboards, often low on walls or around windows.
A wall that stayed wet
Any wall, cabinet or floor that was wet for more than a couple of days, or that floodwater or sewage reached.
How Florida licenses mold work
Florida is one of the states that licenses mold professionals. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation's mold FAQ says individual mold assessors and remediators must be licensed, that the department licenses individuals rather than businesses, and that a company offering both services needs a license for each. Licensing began in 2010, with enforcement against unlicensed activity starting in July 2011.
The 10 square foot line
Statute 468.8411 defines mold assessment and remediation as work on mold growth of greater than 10 square feet. Above that size, the state's licensing rules apply.
Testing and removal kept apart
Statute 468.8419 bars a mold assessor from remediating a structure it assessed within 12 months, and bars a remediator from assessing a structure it remediated within 12 months, with an exception for certified Division I contractors on the first rule.
No referral payments between them
The same statute bars assessors from giving or accepting compensation or rewards from remediators for referrals, so an assessment is not steered toward one remediation company.
Check the license
The DBPR license search lets you verify a person by name or license number. Ask the specialist for the license number of whoever will do the assessment or the remediation.
What mold work usually looks like
- Find the moistureNo mold job lasts unless the leak, condensation or humidity behind it is fixed. The EPA says to fix the source of any water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
- Assess the extentA licensed assessor inspects, measures moisture and may take samples to judge how far the growth reaches.
- Contain the areaPlastic sheeting and controlled airflow keep spores from spreading to clean rooms while work goes on.
- Remove and cleanMoldy porous materials such as drywall and carpet are usually cut out and discarded; hard surfaces are cleaned and dried.
- Check the resultA separate assessor can confirm the area is clean and dry before walls are closed up.
Cost ranges and questions to ask
HomeAdvisor's June 2026 guide puts mold removal at $1,100 to $3,400, about $2,225 on average, and HomeAdvisor's separate mold inspection guide puts the average inspection at $670 with a normal range of $303 to $1,044. Those are national figures; real quotes vary with the size of the area, where the mold is and how much has to be removed. The line never quotes or sets prices.
- What is the license number of the person doing the assessment or the remediation?
- How big is the affected area, and how was that measured?
- What caused the moisture, and who will fix it?
- What containment will you use, and which rooms are off limits during the work?
- Will a separate assessor check the area afterward?
Related pages
- Emergency Water Removal
- Water Damage Repair
- Flood Damage Cleanup
- Choosing a Water Damage Company in Florida
- What Is Water Damage Restoration?
About this line: Dominion Water Damage is a free phone line, not a restoration company. It answers your call and connects you with an independent local water damage restoration company, which inspects, quotes and does the work, and which you pay directly. Companies may pay a referral fee. You never pay the line. See how the line works.