Straight answers about mold, water damage, and what to do next.
Clear, sourced answers to the questions homeowners, buyers, and property managers ask most, written by a Florida-licensed mold assessor and remediator. No scare tactics, no upsell.
Short answer
Every answer below leads with a short, plain-language summary, then explains the building science behind it. Sterling inspects, remediates, and dries out water damage, but never inspects and remediates the same home within 12 months: Florida law bars it, so an inspection from us is never a remediation pitch.
Looking for a term instead of a question? The mold and water damage glossary defines the words in reports, estimates, and drying logs, with the other names people use for them.
Cost & choosing an inspector
What a mold inspection typically costs in Florida, why “free” inspections carry a catch, and how to vet an independent inspector.
Inspection basics & process
Who to call first, what an air sample tells you, and when mold testing is worth paying for.
Florida licensing & disclosure
How Florida separates assessors from remediators, what sellers must disclose, and whether buyers should inspect.
Understanding mold
Mold versus mildew, what “black mold” really means, how to tell if it is mold, and what causes mold on a ceiling.
After a storm, and after remediation
When to inspect after a flood or hurricane, what clearance testing verifies, and whether mold can return.
Mold removal & remediation
How professional mold removal works, what bleach, paint, and fogging really do, when DIY is reasonable, and how to choose a licensed remediator.
- How does professional mold remediation work?
- What's the difference between mold remediation, mold removal, and mold abatement?
- How long does mold remediation take?
- Can I remove mold myself?
- Does bleach kill mold?
- Can you paint over mold?
- Does mold fogging work?
- How do I choose a mold remediation company in Florida?
- What affects the cost of mold remediation?
- Does moldy drywall have to be removed?
- Why is there mold on my AC vents?
- Can mold in air ducts be cleaned?
- Does attic mold need to be removed?
- Can furniture and belongings be saved from mold?
Water damage & drying
Water mitigation versus restoration, how long drying takes, what can be saved, the categories of water, and sewage backups.
- What's the difference between water mitigation and water damage restoration?
- How long does it take to dry out a house after water damage?
- Can wet drywall be saved, or does it have to be replaced?
- What are the categories of water damage?
- Is a sewage backup dangerous?
- How soon does mold grow after water damage?
Longer reads in the Learning Center
The answers above are quick reference. For fuller building-science guides — hidden moisture, post-hurricane timelines, HVAC mold, humidity control, and more — visit the Learning Center.
Ask Sterling directly.
Have a moisture or mold question that isn't answered here? Call or request an inspection — we respond to quote requests in about one business hour. 35 answers and counting.