With special assessments reaching six figures per unit and insurers closely examining water-damage findings, condominium associations across Miami-Dade and Broward counties are under pressure to meet Florida’s Dec. 31, 2026 building-safety deadline. FixMold Miami, a family-owned company founded by Abraham Katz, is expanding its mold and water-intrusion assessment services to help boards navigate the complexities of post-Surfside structural requirements.
The expansion comes as aging high-rise buildings are required to complete milestone structural inspections and Structural Integrity Reserve Studies, which evaluate waterproofing, roofing, plumbing and other major systems. One of the most common and least understood issues uncovered during these inspections is water intrusion that may have already led to hidden microbial growth or mold contamination.
The financial stakes are high. Special assessments related to milestone-inspection findings in coastal South Florida buildings have ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per unit, according to the company. Insurance carriers are also scrutinizing unresolved roof leaks, plumbing failures, HVAC condensate problems, balcony intrusion and other moisture-related conditions when determining premiums, coverage terms or policy renewals.
“When a condominium board calls us today, it is rarely about one isolated leak,” said Katz. “It is often a board that has received a milestone inspection, engineering report or reserve study and is now facing a waterproofing finding it does not fully understand. At the same time, the insurance company, property manager and unit owners are asking questions.”
FixMold Miami’s expanded service provides independent, laboratory-verified assessments that are separate from repair work. Technicians use infrared thermal imaging, moisture-detection instruments and connected air-monitoring technology to document moisture patterns and trace water intrusion to its source. Air and surface samples are sent to Hayes Microbial Consulting, an independent third-party laboratory, ensuring findings are objective and can be shared with engineers, insurers, property managers and residents.
“Our responsibility is to provide an independent and specific assessment showing what may be growing, where the moisture is coming from and what areas are affected,” Katz said. “The board receives clear documentation it can share with its engineer, insurer, property manager and residents.”
The assessment covers common areas, mechanical rooms, vertical plumbing chases, HVAC systems and individual units. Reports are designed to be usable by all stakeholders, including structural engineers, insurance adjusters, attorneys and unit owners. FixMold Miami’s work is separate from the structural-engineering services used for milestone inspections and reserve studies.
Serving high-rise towers in Brickell, Downtown Miami and Edgewater, as well as mid-rise, low-rise and garden-style communities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, the company coordinates with property managers and building staff to minimize disruption. A typical engagement begins with a consultation and includes moisture mapping, indoor air quality measurements, HVAC and condensate-line evaluation, plumbing-chase inspection, and observation of roofs, balconies and building-envelope areas.
The goal is to identify the probable moisture source, not just visible mold. When remediation is required, FixMold Miami offers zero-VOC and biocide-free treatment options where appropriate, and concludes with post-remediation verification and third-party clearance sampling, providing a documented paper trail from start to finish.
As more associations receive milestone-inspection and reserve-study findings, FixMold Miami anticipates continued demand for its independent testing services through the remainder of 2026 and beyond.
