Request an Inspection or Talk With Southern Mold

Common reasons include a persistent musty odor, visible discoloration on walls, ceilings or flooring, a past or current leak, recent flooding, indoor humidity that stays high, or a note about suspected microbial growth on a home inspection report. Testing is also useful when you can smell something but cannot see a source.

Yes. Mold needs moisture and an organic food source, and building materials like drywall paper, wood framing and carpet backing provide the food. If wet materials are not dried thoroughly, growth can follow.

It depends on temperature, humidity and how long materials stay wet, but growth can begin within a matter of days on materials that remain damp. That is why extraction and structural drying matter more than surface cleanup.

Yes. We provide mold testing and inspection as well as mold remediation, which can include containment of the work area, removal of affected materials when necessary, cleaning and restoration of the area.

Southern Mold is focused on Tallahassee and North Florida, and also serves South Georgia and Southeast Alabama — Tallahassee, Havana, Quincy, Midway, Monticello, Crawfordville and Woodville in Florida; Bainbridge, Cairo, Thomasville, Donalsonville, Colquitt and Blakely in Georgia; and Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Headland and Eufaula in Alabama. Live Oak is also served as an additional Florida location outside the roughly 45-minute Tallahassee area. We use partner licensing in Florida.

It is worth considering when the home has a crawl space, has been vacant, has a history of leaks or flooding, or when a general inspection flags suspected growth or elevated moisture. Testing gives you specific information to use during your due diligence period.

We walk the property, discuss the history of any leaks or odors, visually assess suspect areas, use moisture meters to check materials, look at the HVAC and ventilation, and collect samples where sampling will answer a question. You receive the findings and an explanation of what they mean.

Stop the water source if you safely can, avoid electrical hazards and standing water, move what you can out of the wet area, and get the structure dried as soon as possible. Photograph conditions for your records, then call us so drying can begin before materials stay wet longer than necessary.

Clearance testing is a follow-up evaluation after mold remediation. Depending on the project, it may include air sampling, surface swab testing, or both, with laboratory analysis. Residential clearance is $375, commercial clearance is $500, and samples are $100 each.

Mold needs moisture and an organic food source, and a damp crawl space supplies both — wet soil or standing water plus wood joists, subfloor and paper-faced insulation. Correcting the moisture source is what keeps growth from returning after cleaning.

Yes. When mold is found in a crawl space, it is assessed as part of our mold testing and handled as part of our mold remediation work, along with the moisture condition that allowed it.