Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Mulberry, FL

Why does mildew keep growing in my bathroom?

Because the room never fully dries. Mulberry is a small inland city in Polk County's Bone Valley, about 30 miles from Tampa, best known for phosphate mining. Being inland keeps surge away, but summers are long and humid and a bathroom can stay damp for hours after a shower. If the exhaust fan is weak, vents into the attic or never gets turned on, steam settles on the ceiling and grout. Run the fan during the shower and for 20 to 30 minutes after, squeegee the walls, and check that the fan actually blows outdoors. If spots still return within a couple of weeks, look for a leak behind the tile or around the tub spout.

Is it safe to clean it myself?

For small areas, usually yes. EPA puts the line at about 10 square feet on surfaces you can scrub. Wear gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator, ventilate, scrub with detergent and water, and dry the surface completely. Never mix bleach with ammonia. EPA notes mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas, so let someone else do it if that's you. Larger patches, mildew on soft drywall or ceiling material, or growth on AC vents are jobs for a remediation company.

Why does my house smell musty when the AC is on?

Air conditioners pull moisture out of the air, and that water has to drain away. When the condensate line clogs or the drain pan rusts, water sits near the air handler and the system can blow musty air through the house. EPA advises keeping drain pans clean and lines flowing, and keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent. EPA also says not to run an HVAC system you suspect is contaminated, so if the smell is strong or you see growth on the vents, turn it off and have it checked.

A local note

Florida DOH advises drying wet building materials and carpet within 24 hours after water intrusion. For health questions, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County lists indoor air quality among its environmental health services. If walls or ceilings need rebuilding after cleanup, ask the City of Mulberry which permits apply before work starts.