Plain answers to the questions Brevard County homeowners ask us most. If you don’t see yours, call (321) 890-2512 or text us — we’d rather you ask than guess.
About the company
Who is Affordable Water and Mold Removal?
We’re a locally owned, owner-operated water damage, mold remediation, and fire and smoke damage cleanup company based at 6680 Cairo Rd in Cocoa, Florida. Ryan Townsend founded the company in 2018 and still runs it day to day: he answers the phone, writes the estimates, and is on job sites with our technicians. We’re IICRC-certified, BBB-accredited, and hold Florida state mold licenses.
What areas do you serve?
All of Brevard County, from Mims and Titusville in the north to Palm Bay in the south, including Cocoa, Rockledge, Merritt Island, Viera, Melbourne, and the beach communities from Cape Canaveral to Melbourne Beach. Our office is in Cocoa, so we’re centrally located for the whole county.
What are your hours?
We’re open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Existing customers with an active job have a text line they can reach us on after hours.
How fast can you get to my house?
For emergencies during business hours, a technician is normally on site within about an hour. Non-emergency jobs are scheduled for the next business day or whenever works for you.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We’re fully licensed and insured, IICRC-certified for water damage restoration, and hold a Florida mold remediator license. Ryan also holds a Florida mold assessor license, though we focus on remediation.
Water damage
What should I do right after a pipe bursts or I find standing water?
- Shut off the water at the fixture or the main if you can do it safely.
- If water is near outlets or electrical equipment, turn off power to that area at the breaker — only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Move furniture, rugs, and belongings out of the wet area.
- Don’t run fans over sewage or heavily contaminated water; you’ll spread it.
- Take a few photos for your insurance claim.
- Call us. The faster water is extracted and drying starts, the less damage and the lower the chance of mold.
How long does the dry-out take?
Typically 3 to 4 days. We place drying equipment, monitor moisture readings daily, and pull the equipment once the structure reads dry — not on a fixed schedule.
Do you charge for the first visit?
No. Every customer gets a free moisture evaluation and consultation. We use moisture meters to find where the water actually went, then give you a written estimate before any work starts.
Do you work with my insurance company?
Yes, and it’s important to understand how. You’re our customer, not the insurance company. We document everything — photos, moisture readings, drying logs — and write our estimates in Xactimate, the same pricing platform insurers use, so there are no surprises in the claim. But we scope the job based on what your home actually needs, not on what an adjuster would prefer to pay for.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
It depends on the cause. Sudden, accidental events — a burst pipe, a failed water heater, an A/C overflow — are usually covered. Gradual leaks, neglected maintenance, and flooding from outside (storm surge, rising water) usually aren’t; flood requires a separate flood policy. Mold coverage is often capped at a small amount. We’re not insurance agents, so read your policy or ask your agent — but we can tell you what we’re seeing and document it either way.
What water damage services do you offer?
Water extraction, structural drying and dehumidification, leak detection, burst pipe cleanup, toilet overflow and sewage backup cleanup, A/C and water heater flooding, flood and storm water cleanup, and water mitigation for insurance claims.
Mold
Do you do mold testing?
No, and here’s why: Florida law doesn’t allow the same company to both assess (test) and remediate mold on the same job — it’s a conflict of interest. What we do is a mold inspection: we look at the affected area, check moisture levels, and tell you whether you actually need a licensed mold assessor or whether it’s straightforward enough to remediate directly. If an assessment is needed, we’ll refer you to an independent assessor.
How do I know if I need mold remediation?
Visible growth, a musty smell that doesn’t go away, or any area that’s been wet for more than a couple of days are the usual signs. Call us for a free inspection. Small areas of surface mold on non-porous materials can sometimes be cleaned by a homeowner; anything larger, anything inside walls or under flooring, or anything tied to an ongoing moisture problem should be handled by a licensed remediator.
What does mold remediation involve?
We seal off the affected area with containment and negative air pressure so spores don’t spread through the house, remove contaminated materials that can’t be cleaned (drywall, insulation, baseboard), clean and treat what can be saved, run HEPA air scrubbing, and — most importantly — fix the moisture source, because mold always comes back if the water does.
How do I know the mold is really gone?
After remediation, an independent third-party assessor performs clearance testing. Because they aren’t affiliated with us, the results are objective proof that the job meets recognized standards — not just our word for it.
Is mold dangerous?
It can be. Mold can aggravate allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues, and some people are far more sensitive than others. If anyone in your home has symptoms that get better when they leave the house, that’s worth taking seriously.
Fire and smoke damage
Do you handle fire damage?
Yes. After a fire, the damage is usually a mix of three things: smoke and soot on surfaces, odor that’s soaked into porous materials, and water damage from putting the fire out. We clean up soot and smoke residue, treat and remove smoke odor, and extract and dry the water left behind by firefighting — then refer you to a contractor we trust for the rebuild.
What should I do after a fire, once it’s safe?
Don’t try to wipe soot off walls or furniture with household cleaners; it smears and sets. Keep windows open if the weather allows, photograph everything for your claim, and call us before anything gets thrown out — some items can be saved, and your insurer will want an inventory of what can’t.
Cost and process
How much does water damage restoration or mold remediation cost?
Every job is different, so we don’t quote off the phone. The evaluation is free, and you’ll get a written Xactimate estimate before any work starts. For insurance claims, that’s the same format your adjuster uses.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes — we offer a discount for veterans and for seniors. Just mention it when you call.
Do you do repairs and rebuild after the dry-out or remediation?
We focus on mitigation and remediation — getting the water out, the structure dry, and the mold gone. For putting the drywall, flooring, and finishes back, we refer you to contractors we work with regularly and trust.
Do you handle commercial properties?
Yes. We work with homeowners, landlords, property managers, and commercial property owners across Brevard County.
Why should I choose a small local company over a national franchise?
Because you’ll deal with the owner. Ryan writes your estimate, and the same small crew is on your job from start to finish. We’re not working through a call center or a franchise pricing structure, and we scope the job for your home — not for the insurance company.
Still have questions? Call or text (321) 890-2512, or email affordablewaterandmoldremoval@gmail.com. Office hours are 8–5, Monday through Friday.