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The New York City guidelines state that in looking for mold following water damage, bulk sampling or air monitoring is not required. Remediation of all visibly identified mold contamination should proceed without further evaluation. However, if mold is not visible but is suspected because of circumstances such as water damage and unexplained illness, it may become necessary to test in order to rule out mold or to verify its presence. Porous materials, such as ceiling tiles, insulation and wallboards, with more than a small area of mold contamination should be removed and discarded. A small isolated area is defined as 10 square feet or less. A small area may be cleaned safely if done properly, without problems, and a check reveals no more mold.

Removal of the mold-contaminated material is only the first step. A certified mold remediation specialist should then remediate or decontaminate the structure and personal property involved.

Depending on such variables as the length of time from the initial water damage, the amount of water in the structure, the cleanliness of the water and the type of property involved, it may be necessary to remove carpets, pads and any other wet items (especially clothing and other soft goods) from the premises for proper drying, cleaning and treatment. Damp or wet carpets, pads or other items may provide a medium for potentially dangerous mold growth.

Flooding of property, pipe breaks in ceilings or walls, or standing water necessitates removing sheetrock that has been water-damaged, up to at least a foot or more above the high-water mark. Removal of at least some sheetrock may also be necessary to allow the wall cavities to drain and dry properly. Wet insulation, in the ceiling or walls, must be removed and replaced. Wet or damp insulation, especially in dark places like wall cavities is a breeding ground for mold. The insulation value is also reduced.

Prompt response and appropriate action is necessary to minimize damage in a water loss. A quick response will also allow the adjuster to determine if the mold is pre-existing or a result of the water damage. If the adjuster can inspect the loss within 24 or 48 hours of the initial damage, it is likely that any visible or detected mold may be the result of a pre-existing water problem, possibly a long-term leak. However, if the loss is not inspected or properly dried within 72 to 96 hours, it may be more difficult to determine if the mold was a pre-existing problem or a result of the covered loss, and thus also covered. The longer the delay in inspecting the loss, the more difficult it becomes to prove the mold was not caused by the covered loss.