Mold Removal & Remediation in Pinellas Park, FL

What happens when you call

The number connects you with an independent remediation company that works in mid-Pinellas. Tell them where you see growth, what you think the water source is and how long it has been going on. If you rent, mention it, since the landlord may need to approve access. The company will set a time to visit, take moisture readings and put the scope in writing. Expect that scope to cover containment, removal of damaged materials, cleaning, drying and a moisture check before anything is closed in. Rebuilding may be included or handed off to another contractor.

Cost factors

• Size. Angi reports most Tampa-area pros charge $10 to $25 per square foot.
• Location. Angi's Tampa ranges run from $525 to $1,075 for a bathroom to $1,075 to $4,300 for an attic.
• Access. Work under a manufactured home or in a tight attic takes longer.
• Ductwork. If the AC system is contaminated, Angi lists Tampa HVAC remediation at $3,225 to $10,750.
• Testing. Inspection or clearance testing is a separate fee from a separate mold assessor; HomeAdvisor lists Tampa mold testing at $327 to $903.

Local conditions

Pinellas Park is an inland city in mid-county, away from the beaches and the bay shoreline. The median home was built in 1978, and nearly 57 percent of units predate 1980. In houses that age, roofs, supply lines, water heaters and AC equipment have usually been replaced or patched at least once, and each repair is another place water can get in. About 15 percent of units are mobile or manufactured homes, where roof seams and underfloor plumbing are common leak points. Being inland doesn't put a home outside flood risk: Pinellas County says everyone in the county lives in a flood zone, and standard homeowners and renters policies typically don't cover flood. The city runs its own building department on 78th Avenue N for repair permits, and the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has a location in Pinellas Park for health questions.

Checklist before the visit

• Note where and when you first noticed the smell or stain
• Turn off the AC if the vents smell musty
• Clear access to the attic hatch, air handler and under-sink cabinets
• Have photos ready of any earlier leaks or repairs