I own a co-op apartment, and a pipe recently burst in our bathroom, causing minor flooding. We fixed it, and there have been no leaks since. But the super later said he smelled a musty odor in our apartment, so we hired a mold inspector, who took air samples that found a high concentration of mold under our floorboards (but nothing above the floorboards, in the actual apartment. There's no visible... [more]
I own a co-op apartment, and a pipe recently burst in our bathroom, causing minor flooding. We fixed it, and there have been no leaks since. But the super later said he smelled a musty odor in our apartment, so we hired a mold inspector, who took air samples that found a high concentration of mold under our floorboards (but nothing above the floorboards, in the actual apartment. There's no visible sign of mold anywhere in the living spaces, and we no longer smell anything musty).
Everything I've read about the mold business says it's full of scam artists. We hired an inspector who doesn't do remediation because we didn't want someone who had an incentive to "find" mold that isn't there. But now I guess we need a remediator.
Has anyone dealt with mold remediators who seemed trustworthy? Does anyone have any advice? Our super, building management and insurance company have been of no help. I really don't know what to do at this point. Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated.
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Response by tribby
about 10 years ago
Posts: 36
Member since: Oct 2011
Sorry you have to deal with this. First make sure the inspector you hired did a comprehensive test, not just air samples (the most inaccurate method). Microecologies is one of the best in the mold inspection business. They do not provide remediation but will give you a written report and recommendations. This will definitely help with insurance later: mold remediation is very expensive. Usually you would file with your own insurance company and they will battle it out with the building's insurance company.
Didn't use these guys but saw them highly rated on yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/big-apple-mold-removal-new-york-city
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Response by fieldschester
about 10 years ago
Posts: 3525
Member since: Jul 2013
Is this in NYC or up in C0lumbia C0unty?
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Response by frostybob
about 10 years ago
Posts: 2
Member since: Jun 2009
Tribby: Thanks for the tips. Our inspector only did air sample tests and a brief visual inspection (since the mold is under the floorboards, there's not much you can see without ripping up the floor). What other tests should they do? Also, I saw Big Apple's reviews on Yelp, but I saw a review elsewhere that made me reluctant to hire them.
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Response by frostybob
about 10 years ago
Posts: 2
Member since: Jun 2009
Fieldschester: This is in NYC. But if you know someone good in Columbia County, I could still call them and see if they have any advice, or if they'd be willing to travel.
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Response by tribby
about 10 years ago
Posts: 36
Member since: Oct 2011
Sorry but it seems like to be sure in this case you would definitely need to rip up one of the floor planks to check for mold (usually an inspector would take a swab, and if you want to know what kind of mold it is, they can grow it in their lab etc... ) If you are lucky and turns out there's no mold, it won't be very hard to fix that one plank you rip up if you have standard floor, especially if it's inside your bathroom.
If the area is small, you can even hire a handyman to treat the mold yourself (there are a lot of materials online, especially related to Sandy). Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
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Response by Admin2009
about 10 years ago
Posts: 380
Member since: Mar 2014
Is there an update on your apartment ?
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Response by suzzie
5 months ago
Posts: 0
Member since: Jun 2025
Hey frostybob, been there. I had hidden mold under my hardwood last year and ended up using Mold Remediation & Water Restoration NYC. They’re NY-licensed, didn’t try to sell me extra testing, popped up a small section of floor, cleaned everything, and put it back the same day. They even sent photos for my co-op board and insurance. Super straightforward and no pressure. Give them a call at (347) 369-1545 if you’re still looking. Good luck!
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Sorry you have to deal with this. First make sure the inspector you hired did a comprehensive test, not just air samples (the most inaccurate method). Microecologies is one of the best in the mold inspection business. They do not provide remediation but will give you a written report and recommendations. This will definitely help with insurance later: mold remediation is very expensive. Usually you would file with your own insurance company and they will battle it out with the building's insurance company.
Didn't use these guys but saw them highly rated on yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/big-apple-mold-removal-new-york-city
Is this in NYC or up in C0lumbia C0unty?
Tribby: Thanks for the tips. Our inspector only did air sample tests and a brief visual inspection (since the mold is under the floorboards, there's not much you can see without ripping up the floor). What other tests should they do? Also, I saw Big Apple's reviews on Yelp, but I saw a review elsewhere that made me reluctant to hire them.
Fieldschester: This is in NYC. But if you know someone good in Columbia County, I could still call them and see if they have any advice, or if they'd be willing to travel.
Sorry but it seems like to be sure in this case you would definitely need to rip up one of the floor planks to check for mold (usually an inspector would take a swab, and if you want to know what kind of mold it is, they can grow it in their lab etc... ) If you are lucky and turns out there's no mold, it won't be very hard to fix that one plank you rip up if you have standard floor, especially if it's inside your bathroom.
If the area is small, you can even hire a handyman to treat the mold yourself (there are a lot of materials online, especially related to Sandy). Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
Is there an update on your apartment ?
Hey frostybob, been there. I had hidden mold under my hardwood last year and ended up using Mold Remediation & Water Restoration NYC. They’re NY-licensed, didn’t try to sell me extra testing, popped up a small section of floor, cleaned everything, and put it back the same day. They even sent photos for my co-op board and insurance. Super straightforward and no pressure. Give them a call at (347) 369-1545 if you’re still looking. Good luck!