Black mold removal gets its own process because of what's typically involved – Stachybotrys and similar dark, slimy-textured molds tend to show up after prolonged water exposure, and they carry a higher health concern than common surface molds, especially for anyone with respiratory issues or allergies in the house.
Homeowners in San Francisco, CA usually call about this after spotting dark green or black, often slimy or wet-looking patches, especially in areas with a history of water damage – around old leaks, in crawl spaces with standing water, or on drywall that's been damp for a while. It's also common after someone in the house starts having unexplained respiratory or allergy symptoms that improve when they're away.
Because of the health angle, we treat these jobs with tighter containment than standard mold removal — sealing off the work area, running negative air pressure with HEPA filtration so spores don't spread to the rest of the house, and using full PPE during removal. Contaminated material gets bagged and removed, not just scraped and left. Once removal is done, we treat remaining surfaces and typically recommend a follow-up air sample to confirm the space is clear.
Same as any mold job, we're checking for the moisture source at the same time – black mold doesn't grow without sustained water exposure, so if that source isn't fixed, it'll be back.
Cost depends on the extent of growth and how much containment and material removal is needed.
If you've spotted dark, suspicious mold in your San Francisco, CA home, don't wait on it. Call (213) 871-1085 for a free inspection.
