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Mold & Indoor Air Quality Library

Clearance & Certificates

How you know a cleanup is finished

Best practice Sources: EPA 402-K-01-001, CDC Mold Cleanup Guide

In plain English

EPA's test for “done” is practical. The water problem is completely fixed. There's no visible mold, no mold-damaged material and no moldy smell. If samples were taken, indoor results look like outdoors. A return visit shortly after shows no new water damage or growth. And people can use the space without symptoms.

EPA admits that, in the end, this is a judgment call. That is one reason Texas requires an independent licensed assessor to make it.

Key points

  • Moisture problem fixed.
  • No visible mold, damaged materials or odor.
  • Indoor samples similar to outdoor (if sampled).
  • No recurrence on a revisit; occupants without complaints.

Official text

EPA 402-K-01-001 — How Do You Know When You Have Finished Remediation/Cleanup? p. 26 Best practice
  1. You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem.
  2. You should complete mold removal. Use professional judgment to determine if the cleanup is sufficient. Visible mold, mold-damaged materials, and moldy odors should not be present.
  3. If you have sampled, the kinds and concentrations of mold and mold spores in the building should be similar to those found outside, once cleanup activities have been completed.
  4. You should revisit the site(s) shortly after remediation, and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.
  5. People should be able to occupy or re-occupy the space without health complaints or physical symptoms.
  6. Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer.

Citation: EPA 402-K-01-001, How Do You Know When You Have Finished Remediation/Cleanup?, p. 26.

Read on the official site ↗ See it in the full EPA 402-K-01-001

CDC Mold Cleanup Guide — Am I done? Best practice
  • If you still see or smell mold, you have more work to do. After a remediation, there should be no signs of water damage or mold growth.
  • You may need to ask a mold remediation professional to know whether your mold problem is completely fixed. Sampling for mold is not usually recommended; instead, a careful inspection of the work area for completion of the cleanup and absence of mold-related odors is usually appropriate.
  • If you have health problems that get worse when you return home, like asthma or allergy attacks or skin or eye irritation, you may still have some mold.

Citation: CDC Mold Cleanup Guide, Am I done?.

Read on the official site ↗ See it in the full CDC Mold Cleanup Guide

Citations