Roof leaks and plumbing failures soak floors and walls. We extract the standing water, set up dehumidifiers and air movers, and take moisture readings every day until the floors and framing test dry.
More about Water Damage
Available 24/7 · Hawaii and nearby areas
Mold Remediation in Hawaii, HI
Island humidity, a roof leak, or still air in a closed room can feed mold. Our crew handles mold remediation on Hawaii Island, finds the moisture behind it, and dries the space out. Call any time, day or night.
Call (808) 278-536945minutes
IICRC Certified Firm#70120685
We work with all major insurance carriers
Mold help
Mold in Hawaii Island homes
Windward Hawaii Island is one of the wettest places in the country. Hilo gets well over 100 inches of rain a year. That constant moisture means mold can grow on almost anything that stays damp, from closet shoes to ceiling boards.
Single-wall construction is common in older island homes. With no insulation or wall cavity between the boards and the outdoors, humidity and wind-driven rain reach the inside surfaces directly.
On the Kona side, drier weather doesn’t mean no mold. Vacation rentals and second homes that sit closed with the AC off can trap humidity, and a slow plumbing leak can go unnoticed between guests.
Homeowners, property managers, and business owners call us about mold all year round. We work across Downtown Hilo, Waiakea, Kaumana, Keaukaha, Wainaku, Panaewa, Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Keauhou, and Kalaoa.
Call Now (808) 278-5369Mold remediation at a glance
What’s included
Humidity and leak control, containment, removing moldy materials, HEPA cleaning, dehumidifier drying, and repairs.
Typical timeline
Closet or bathroom jobs often take a day or two. Single-wall homes with widespread growth can take a week or more.
How cost is set
The size of the area, whether the walls need to be opened, what comes out, and shipping for materials.
First visit
Call (808) 278-5369A free inspection and estimate before any work starts.
Found mold?
What to do when you find mold
Finding mold is stressful, but you have time to do this right. Acting in the first day or two keeps it from spreading.
Not sure how big the problem is? Call and talk it through with our crew.
Call (808) 278-5369What to do
Look for the water
Check above and around the mold for a drip, a damp spot, or a stain. Stopping the water stops the mold from growing.
Bring the humidity down
Run the air conditioning or a dehumidifier. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.
Take photos
Photograph the mold and any water damage before anything is cleaned. Your insurance company may ask for them.
Clean small spots the right way
For a patch under about 10 square feet, the EPA says you can usually clean it yourself with detergent and water. Wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask.
Keep sensitive people away
Anyone with asthma, allergies, or a weak immune system should stay out of the area until the mold is gone.
What not to do
Don’t scrub or sand it dry
Dry mold sends spores into the air and through the house. Keep the surface damp while you clean it, or leave it for a pro.
Don’t bleach it and paint over it
Bleach can whiten the surface, but on drywall and wood it doesn’t reach the mold growing inside. Paint over mold peels, and the mold keeps growing underneath.
Don’t point fans at it
Fans blowing across mold carry the spores into other rooms.
Don’t run the heat or air if the mold is in the ducts
The system will blow spores through the whole house. Leave it off until it’s been checked.
Don’t buy a test kit first
If you can see mold, the EPA says testing usually isn’t needed. Spend the money on finding the leak.
Where mold hides
Where we find mold in Hawaii Island homes
On Hawaii Island, mold usually comes from constant humidity, wind-driven rain, or a leak in a closed-up home.
Under Raised Floors
Damp ground under post-and-pier homes keeps floor joists and boards moist.
Roofs and Ceilings
Heavy windward rain finds weak spots in metal roofs and soaks ceiling boards.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Steam and leaks in humid air grow mold fast on walls and cabinets.
Closed-Up Rentals
Vacation homes with the AC off trap humidity that condenses on cool surfaces.
Wind-Driven Rain
Rain pushed through jalousies and gaps wets single-wall boards and floors.
Plumbing and Catchment Leaks
Slow leaks from pipes or catchment lines feed mold out of sight.
How we remove mold
How we remove mold
In Hawaii Island humidity, mold returns unless moisture is controlled. We start by finding the leak or the conditions feeding it.
We seal off the area. Plastic sheeting and HEPA air scrubbers keep spores from drifting through an open-plan island home or out the jalousies.
We remove and clean. Moldy drywall, ceiling boards, and carpet come out, and solid wood with surface growth is cleaned and treated.
We dry and protect. Dehumidifiers run until readings match a dry area, and we can suggest ways to keep humidity down.
What the signs usually mean
Fuzzy growth on shoes and bags in a closet
What it usually meansHigh humidity with little airflow
What to doRun a dehumidifier and have the closet walls checked.
Black spots on single-wall boards
What it usually meansRain and humidity reaching the boards directly
What to doHave the walls checked and the growth removed.
A musty smell in a closed-up rental
What it usually meansTrapped humidity or an unnoticed leak
What to doHave the home inspected before the next guests arrive.
Ceiling stains after heavy rain
What it usually meansA roof leak soaking ceiling boards
What to doHave the roof and ceiling checked.
Spots under the bathroom sink
What it usually meansA slow plumbing leak
What to doFix the leak and have the cabinet checked.
A stale odor in a Big Island home with no visible growth
What it usually meansMold under the raised floor, above ceiling boards, or behind cabinets
What to doBook an inspection so we can take moisture readings in hidden spots.
What can be saved
What can be cleaned and what gets replaced
On Hawaii Island, what we keep depends on whether it’s board, drywall, or fabric, how long it stayed humid, and the growth’s reach. The inspection confirms each item.
Tile, glass, metal, and stone
Usually cleanedHard surfaces clean well, though wet metal can corrode in salt air.
Posts, joists, and solid framing
Usually cleanedTreated lumber with surface growth can be cleaned.
Single-wall boards
Depends on how deep it goesSurface growth cleans; soft or rotted boards are replaced.
Drywall
Depends on how deep it goesDrywall in newer Kona homes with a few spots may clean. Sections where growth has gone through the paper are cut out.
Koa and wood furniture
Depends on how deep it goesSolid pieces usually clean; deep growth in soft wood may not.
Carpet and rugs
Depends on how deep it goesRugs with growth on the backing are usually replaced.
Clothing, shoes, and linens
Depends on how deep it goesMany items wash clean; leather and fabrics with deep growth may not.
Photos and documents
Depends on how deep it goesFamily photos and papers can sometimes be cleaned and preserved by a document specialist, but island humidity means acting fast.
Insulation
Usually removedAny insulation with mold growth is replaced.
Ceiling tiles and carpet pad
Usually removedCarpet pad and ceiling tiles that grew mold in the humidity are bagged and replaced.
Mattresses
Usually removedMattresses with mold growth are usually replaced.
Do You Need a Mold Test?
Often not. When the mold is visible and the cause is island humidity or a known leak, testing rarely changes the plan. It’s more useful when a rental guest or tenant reports a smell, or when a buyer or doctor needs documentation.
When a test would help, we’ll explain how sampling works and can coordinate an independent tester, which many rental owners like to have on file.
Stop the water behind the mold
Other restoration services we offer on Hawaii Island
Every job starts with a free inspection and estimate. Here’s how the 24 Hour Flood Pros team helps with each type of damage.
Soot from a kitchen fire or a short circuit settles fast into island homes. Soot is acidic and keeps staining surfaces, so cleanup starts early. We remove soot, treat odor at the source, clean what can be saved, and rebuild what can’t.
More about Fire and Smoke Damage
Kona storms and heavy rain damage roofs. We dry the structure, remove damaged materials, and repair the ceilings and walls inside.
More about Storm Damage
Mold in vacation rentals, shops, or offices needs quick turnaround. We extract, dry, and clean on a plan built around reopening, and we document each step for your carrier.
More about Commercial Restoration
When you’re ready to rebuild, the same crew puts it back together, from drywall to cabinets to the final coat of paint, so there’s no second contractor to hire.
More about ReconstructionDealing with one of these?
Call (808) 278-5369Call and talk to our crew about what happened. The call is free, and so is the inspection.
Our process
What happens after you call
- 1
You call, we send a crew
Call (808) 278-5369 any time, day or night, including weekends and holidays. Tell us what you’re seeing or smelling, and where. We’ll send a crew right away.
- 2
We inspect and find the source
The 24 Hour Flood Pros team looks for the moisture feeding the mold. We use moisture meters to find water hiding inside walls, under floors, and in the crawlspace. We take photos for your insurance. The inspection is free.
- 3
We close off the area
We seal the work area with plastic and set up HEPA air scrubbers, so spores don’t spread to clean rooms. The heat and air stay off in that area while we work.
- 4
We stop the moisture
We dry out the water and show you what’s causing it. If a plumber, a roofer, or an HVAC tech needs to fix a leak, we tell you before we go further.
- 5
We remove moldy materials
Drywall, insulation, and carpet pad with mold growing in them are cut out, bagged, and carried out. That way we only remove what really needs it.
- 6
We clean and dry what stays
Framing, subfloor, and other solid surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed, cleaned, and treated. Then we dry them until they read close to a dry room elsewhere in the house.
- 7
We make the repairs
When you’re ready, the 24 Hour Flood Pros team fixes the damage. We replace drywall, install cabinets, and finish with fresh paint. Our goal is to make your home look the way it did before.
- 8
Final check with you
Before we take the plastic down, we check the area for any mold or dust left behind. Then we walk through it with you and send the final records to your insurance company to close out the claim.
Musty smell in a closed-Up rental?
Call (808) 278-5369Weeks with the AC off can let mold take hold. Call us for a free inspection before your next guests arrive.
Insurance and claims
Mold remediation and your insurance claim
Sometimes. Many homeowners policies cover mold when it comes from a sudden, covered water event, like a burst pipe or a water heater that gives out. Mold from a slow leak or ongoing humidity is often excluded, and some policies cap mold coverage at a set amount.
Your policy decides what’s covered, not us. We work with all major insurance carriers, including State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, American Family, Travelers, and Nationwide, and we keep the paperwork clear enough that your claim doesn’t stall.
Report it soon after you find it. Waiting can make it harder to show the mold came from a sudden event.
If a claim stalls, you can file a complaint with the Hawaii Insurance Division.
What your adjuster will ask for
- When you first noticed the mold or the smell
- What caused the moisture, and when it started
- Photos of the mold and any water damage
- Receipts for any work already done on the leak
What we send them
- Date-stamped photos of each affected area
- Moisture readings showing where the water is
- A line-by-line estimate for removal and rebuild
- One point of contact for your adjuster
Where we work
Areas we serve around Hawaii Island
We serve the Hilo and Kona sides of Hawaii Island and the towns in between.
Hilo and Kona neighborhoods
- Downtown Hilo
- Waiakea
- Kaumana
- Keaukaha
- Wainaku
- Panaewa
- Kailua-Kona
- Holualoa
- Keauhou
- Kalaoa
Nearby towns
- Keaau
- Pahoa
- Kurtistown
- Mountain View
- Volcano
- Honokaa
- Waimea
- Waikoloa
- Kealakekua
- Captain Cook
- Ocean View
- Hawi
Don't see your area listed? Call us and we'll tell you right away.
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Common questions
Hawaii Island mold remediation FAQs
How fast can 24 Hour Flood Pros get to me?
A crew can be there within 45 minutes. We work 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, so you can call the moment you find mold or a leak.
Is black mold dangerous?
Any mold growing indoors should be removed, whatever its color. The CDC’s advice is that you don’t need to know the type of mold to deal with it. Mold can trigger allergies and asthma, so people with breathing problems or weak immune systems should stay away from it.
Can I clean mold myself?
For a small area, yes. The EPA says a patch under about 10 square feet, roughly 3 feet by 3 feet, can usually be cleaned with detergent and water while you wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask. Call a professional for anything larger, mold in the heating and air system, mold after sewage or flood water, or mold that keeps coming back.
Do I need a mold test before remediation?
Usually not if you can see the mold. Testing is most useful when you smell mold but can’t find it, or to confirm the cleanup worked.
Will the mold come back after remediation?
Not if the moisture is fixed. Mold comes back when the leak, the drainage problem, or the humidity is still there. That’s why every job starts with finding the source, and why we dry everything before the walls are closed.
Do I need to leave my home during mold remediation?
Usually not. We seal off the work area and filter the air, so most people stay home. For large jobs, or if someone in the house has breathing problems, we’ll tell you in advance if staying somewhere else makes sense.
How much does mold remediation cost on Hawaii Island?
It depends on how big the area is, what has to be removed, how hard it is to reach, and what it takes to stop the moisture. A bathroom wall costs far less than a whole crawlspace or attic. The inspection and estimate are free, so you know the cost before any work starts.
How long does mold remediation take?
A small area can take a few days. Crawlspaces, attics, and rooms that need rebuilding take longer. Your estimate includes a schedule.
Does Hawaii require a license for mold remediation?
Hawaii doesn’t issue a specific state license for mold remediation, so it’s worth checking a company’s training and certifications before you hire it. 24 Hour Flood Pros is an IICRC Certified Firm, #70120685.
Available 24/7
Get a free inspection
Day or night, weekend or holiday, call (808) 278-5369. A crew can be there within 45 minutes to start your free inspection.
Call (808) 278-5369Or request a free inspection online
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