Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the AuntieGen Frequently Asked Questions page.
Here you’ll find answers to common questions about mold, indoor air quality, crawl spaces, environmental contamination, biohazard cleanup, and remediation.
Type your question or a few keywords into the FAQ Search box above. The closest matching questions and answers will appear, helping you find the information you need quickly.
Some questions have short answers, while others include links to more detailed AuntieGen service pages and educational articles if you’d like to learn more.
1. What causes mold to grow in a home or building?
Mold needs moisture, a food source, and suitable temperatures to grow. Drywall, wood, insulation, dust, carpeting, and many other building materials provide nutrients once they become damp. Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, flooding, condensation, high humidity, and poor ventilation are among the most common causes. Controlling moisture is the single most effective way to prevent mold growth.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Prevention.
2. How do I know if I have mold?
Visible mold is one warning sign, but mold is often hidden from view. A persistent musty odor, recent water damage, staining, peeling paint, warped materials, or recurring moisture may all indicate a problem. Mold commonly develops behind walls, beneath flooring, inside attics, crawl spaces, and HVAC systems. A professional inspection can help determine whether mold is present and identify the source of the moisture.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Inspections.
3. Can mold grow behind walls or under flooring?
Yes. Moisture from plumbing leaks, roof leaks, window failures, flooding, or condensation can become trapped inside wall cavities or beneath flooring. These areas may remain damp for weeks or months, allowing mold to develop without any visible signs. By the time mold becomes visible, the affected area may be much larger than expected.
4. Why does my home smell musty even when I can’t see mold?
A musty odor often indicates excess moisture or hidden microbial growth somewhere within the building. The source may be behind drywall, beneath flooring, inside an attic, crawl space, HVAC system, or another concealed location. Rather than masking the odor, it’s important to identify and correct the underlying cause.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Inspections and AuntieGen Indoor Air Quality Testing.
5. Is black mold more dangerous than other molds?
The term “black mold” is commonly associated with Stachybotrys chartarum, but many mold species can appear black. Color alone does not determine how significant a mold problem may be. The mold species, the amount of growth, the moisture conditions, the location of the contamination, and the sensitivity of the occupants are all important considerations.
Learn more: What Is Black Mold?
6. Can I clean mold myself?
A small amount of surface mold may sometimes be cleaned safely, depending on the material involved and the cause of the moisture. Professional remediation should be considered when mold covers a larger area, repeatedly returns, follows significant water damage, affects porous materials, or may be hidden inside walls, crawl spaces, attics, or HVAC systems. Correcting the moisture source is just as important as removing the mold.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Remediation.
7. When should mold be professionally remediated?
Professional remediation should be considered whenever mold is widespread, repeatedly returns, follows flooding or significant water damage, affects HVAC equipment, involves hidden building cavities, or when occupants have concerns about the indoor environment. A professional inspection can help determine the extent of the contamination and the most appropriate course of action.
8. Can mold return after remediation?
Yes. Mold can return if the source of moisture remains or new moisture enters the building. Proper remediation removes existing contamination, but long-term success depends on repairing leaks, controlling humidity, improving drainage, reducing condensation, and correcting the conditions that allowed mold to grow.
9. How can I prevent mold from coming back?
Preventing mold begins with controlling moisture. Repair leaks promptly, maintain appropriate indoor humidity, improve ventilation where needed, and correct drainage or condensation problems. Periodically inspecting roofs, plumbing, crawl spaces, attics, foundations, and HVAC systems can help identify problems before mold develops.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Prevention.
10. Can mold grow in a newly built home?
Yes. New homes are not immune to mold. Building materials are often exposed to rain, snow, or high humidity during construction. If damp materials are enclosed before they dry properly, mold can begin growing before the home is occupied. Proper moisture management during construction significantly reduces this risk.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Prevention.
11. Can mold affect the value of my home?
Yes. An unresolved mold or moisture problem may reduce buyer confidence, delay a real estate transaction, affect negotiations, or require remediation before a sale can proceed. Correcting the moisture problem and documenting professional remediation can help protect both the property and its value.
12. Does homeowner’s insurance cover mold damage?
Insurance coverage depends on both the cause of the damage and the terms of your policy. Mold resulting from certain sudden and accidental water losses may be covered, while mold caused by long-term leaks, deferred maintenance, or ongoing moisture problems often is not. Contact your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage.
13. Do I need mold testing?
Not always. When visible mold and a clear moisture source are present, testing may not be necessary before remediation. Testing is often most valuable when hidden contamination is suspected, when the source is unclear, when occupants have ongoing concerns, or when post-remediation verification is desired.
Learn more: AuntieGen Indoor Air Quality Testing.
14. What’s the difference between a mold inspection and mold testing?
A mold inspection evaluates the building for visible mold, moisture, water damage, odors, and conditions that support mold growth. It may include moisture measurements and thermal imaging. Mold testing involves collecting air, dust, or surface samples for laboratory analysis. An inspection identifies the problem; testing provides additional information when appropriate.
15. What is indoor air quality testing?
Indoor air quality testing evaluates airborne conditions inside a building. Depending on the situation, testing may include airborne mold spores, particulates, or other environmental indicators. It can help investigate a suspected problem, establish a baseline, compare indoor and outdoor conditions, or evaluate whether remediation has improved the indoor environment.
Learn more: AuntieGen Indoor Air Quality Testing.
16. What is ERMI testing?
ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) is a dust-based laboratory test that uses DNA analysis to measure specific mold species commonly found in buildings. Because it analyzes settled dust, it reflects accumulated conditions over time rather than only the moment an air sample is collected. ERMI results are most valuable when interpreted alongside a thorough building inspection, moisture assessment, and other relevant environmental information.
Learn more: Understanding ERMI Testing.
17. What is HERTSMI-2 testing?
HERTSMI-2 is a scoring system derived from ERMI testing that focuses on five mold species commonly associated with water-damaged buildings. It is often used by individuals and healthcare providers as one piece of information when evaluating an indoor environment. Like any environmental test, HERTSMI-2 should be interpreted alongside a thorough building inspection and other relevant findings.
Learn more: Understanding HERTSMI-2 Testing.
18. What is tape lift sampling?
Tape lift sampling is a surface sampling method used to collect visible material for laboratory analysis. It helps identify what is growing on a specific surface but does not determine how much mold may be hidden elsewhere in the building. It is one of several tools that may be used during a mold investigation.
19. Why is thermal imaging used during a mold inspection?
Thermal imaging cameras help identify temperature differences that may indicate hidden moisture. While they cannot detect mold directly, they can help locate areas that deserve closer investigation, reducing unnecessary damage to walls and ceilings while improving the efficiency of the inspection.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Inspections.
20. Can air testing find hidden mold?
Sometimes. Air testing can identify elevated airborne mold spores under the right conditions, but it does not guarantee that hidden mold will always be detected. Airborne spore levels naturally change throughout the day, making air sampling most valuable when combined with a detailed inspection and other investigative methods.
21. Should I have my home tested after mold remediation?
Post-remediation testing can provide additional confidence that remediation goals have been achieved. Although it isn’t necessary in every situation, many homeowners, businesses, healthcare providers, and sensitive individuals appreciate independent documentation showing that indoor conditions have improved.
Learn more: AuntieGen Indoor Air Quality Testing.
22. Which mold test is right for my situation?
There is no single mold test that is appropriate for every building. Air sampling, ERMI, HERTSMI-2, tape lift sampling, moisture measurements, thermal imaging, and visual inspections each provide different information. The appropriate testing depends on the building, the concerns being investigated, and the questions you’re trying to answer.
23. Can my HVAC system spread mold throughout my home?
Yes. If mold is growing within HVAC components or contaminated dust has accumulated inside the system, spores and other particles may be distributed throughout the building while the system operates. HVAC systems should always be considered whenever significant mold contamination is discovered.
Learn more: AuntieGen HVAC Decontamination.
24. Should my HVAC system be cleaned after mold remediation?
If contamination has affected the HVAC system or air has circulated through contaminated areas, cleaning and decontaminating the HVAC system may be recommended. Addressing only the visible mold while ignoring the HVAC system can leave contamination within the building’s air distribution system.
Learn more: AuntieGen HVAC Decontamination.
25. What’s the difference between air duct cleaning and HVAC decontamination?
Traditional air duct cleaning primarily focuses on the ductwork. HVAC decontamination addresses the entire heating and cooling system, including components such as the air handler, blower, evaporator coil, drain pan, filters, supply ducts, and return ducts. The appropriate approach depends on the type and extent of contamination.
26. Can an air purifier solve a mold problem?
No. Air purifiers may help reduce airborne mold spores and other particles, but they cannot remove mold growing inside building materials or correct the moisture conditions that allowed mold to develop. Air purification should be considered one part of an overall remediation and indoor air quality strategy, not a replacement for remediation.
Learn more: AuntieGen Air Purification.
27. Why does my home still smell after cleaning?
Cleaning may remove visible dirt or surface contamination without addressing the source of the odor. Hidden moisture, mold, bacteria, smoke residue, crawl spaces, HVAC systems, and other environmental conditions can all contribute to persistent odors. Finding and correcting the source is the key to permanently eliminating the smell.
28. Can dirty air ducts affect indoor air quality?
Dust naturally accumulates inside many HVAC systems over time. While dust alone doesn’t always create an indoor air quality problem, contaminated HVAC components, microbial growth, or excessive debris may contribute to reduced indoor air quality. A professional inspection can determine whether cleaning or decontamination is appropriate.
29. What indoor humidity level is recommended to help prevent mold?
In most homes, maintaining indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50% helps reduce the likelihood of mold growth while improving comfort. The ideal humidity level may vary depending on the season, climate, and the building itself.
30. When should I have my indoor air tested?
Indoor air quality testing may be beneficial if you notice persistent odors, visible mold, recent water damage, unexplained indoor air concerns, or if you want to establish a baseline before or after remediation. The appropriate testing depends on your goals and the conditions within the building.
Learn more: AuntieGen Indoor Air Quality Testing.
31. Can mold make you sick?
People respond differently to mold exposure. Some individuals experience few or no noticeable effects, while others may be more sensitive to mold or damp indoor environments. Questions about symptoms, diagnosis, or treatment should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider. From a building standpoint, correcting moisture problems and addressing mold growth is considered good building practice.
32. Can mold be completely removed?
No remediation company can honestly guarantee that every mold spore has been eliminated from a building because mold spores naturally exist both indoors and outdoors. The goal of professional remediation is to remove mold growth, address contaminated materials when necessary, correct the moisture source, and return the building to a normal, healthy condition.
Learn more: AuntieGen Mold Remediation.
Still Have a Question? Submit your question through our Contact Us form.