So you found the dreaded black speckles somewhere in your home indicating mold, and you’re wondering how much this is going to cost to repair. To answer that question, several factors must first be determined. Is the mold only in one room such as the bathroom, or is it widespread? Will you need to vacate your home during the process, or can it be done in a single day? Will you need to rip out Sheetrock? All of these factors can determine the final price of the repair job, but typically mold remediation can run about $450 to $6,000 depending on how extensive the damage is, and how many rooms have been affected.

Average costs in San Diego

The process of mold remediation in San Diego can include having to de-humidify your home, fixing water leaks acting as a source of the problem, and removing mold colonies from surfaces, and possible underneath surfaces. If the mold is being caused by a problem in the roof or basement, then the repair process should include fixing these structures as well to prevent further growth.

Mold remediation in San Diego usually costs anywhere between $13 to $28 per square foot, with around $2,300 being the national average. The estimation of the cost will depend on where the mold is growing, and how accessible that location will be to clean. Bathrooms, crawl spaces, basements and attics are the most common places to find mold, especially if these areas are not well ventilated. Get a professional San Diego mold removal company to help you if needed.

Average cost of remediation of specific rooms

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are notorious for mold growth, even in well-cleaned homes, as the constant exposure to moisture from baths, showers and commodes make it a prime location for mold growth. Cleaning mold from bathrooms often involve the use of an air scrubber to clean the air, and in some cases installation of better ventilation systems. For a single bathroom, mold remediation can run anywhere between $500 to $1,300, possibly more if there are leak repairs required.

Basement

Mold growth in the basement can be a major undertaking, especially since it often grows undetected for a lengthy amount of time before it is notices. Basements and attics are not often used by residents unless it is for storage, the consequences being that mold growth is often missed over time until it has already caused widespread damage. Basements often run high levels of moisture due to leaky pipes and occasional flooding, and since mold can grow on almost everything from drywall, wood and insulation to even concrete, there are a lot of places it can lurk in a basement undetected. Mold remediation for basements often runs around $800 to $3,000.

Crawl spaces

These spaces under eaves and in between wall joints or under stairs are also not frequently visited by residents, and thus mold can grow undetected for quite a while. Many of these spaces don’t have a lot of surface area for mold to spread, and thus colonies in these spaces do not always grow as large as in some other areas. Removing mold in these spaces will typically run around $500 to $1, 00.

Attic

This area of the house is one of the most expensive to fix, often due to accessibility issues, ow roofs that provide little maneuvering room, and attic size. Poor ventilation, leaking AC units and roofs, and condensation getting trapped in insulation all contribute to mold growth in attics, along with the often warm air and some exposure to the outside through vents. Mold remediation in attics can run between $1,000 and $4,800.

Homeowner Tips

As a homeowner there is much that you can do to prevent mold from growing and causing costly damages. To begin with, call a professional as soon as you notice signs of mold growth. The larger the colony gets, the harder it will be to remove. Leaks in the roof, in pipes, and waterproofing basements and attics will also help prevent mold growth. Be sure to have regular inspections for mold, along with other indicators such as the presence of termites, which can indicate a high moisture problem that contributes to mold growth.

Mold can pose significant health risks and should not be ignored. Many people are allergic to mold, ad touching it or breathing it in can trigger skin and eye irritation, asthma attacks and other breathing problems, or other signs of allergies.

The presence of mold is not always detectable, as sometimes the only indication that mold is present is a musty odor, cracking and warping of surfaces, and increased allergy symptoms. By the time staining appears on the walls or other signs of visible mold growth, the damage behind the surface is already fairly extensive. If the mold is not too bad, removal can be attempted as a DIY project, but care should be taken to avoid toxic exposure. One should wear an N-95 respirator, long gloves and goggles to protect the eyes. However, the best jobs are done by professionals who know what to look for in ensuring that all of the mold has been dealt with and nothing has been missed.