Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Riverview, FL

My Riverview house is fairly new. Why does it have mildew?

Newer doesn't mean drier. Riverview's housing has a median year built of 2006, and only about 7.3 percent of homes predate 1980, so most houses are tight slab homes that depend entirely on the AC and exhaust fans to remove moisture. When a builder-grade bathroom fan is undersized, or a family keeps the thermostat high to save power through a humid summer, mildew settles on shower ceilings, closet walls and the backs of furniture pushed against exterior walls. Roughly 8 percent of homes are mobile homes, where floor-level musty smells deserve a look underneath.

We flooded along the Alafia. Is the mildew from that?

It may be. The Alafia River runs through the northern part of Riverview, and in 2024 Hurricane Helene put up to five feet of water into homes on Parkway Circle, higher than residents had seen before. EPA says that if a flooded house couldn't be dried within 24 to 48 hours, you should assume mold is growing. Mildew on cabinets, door casings or stored belongings after that kind of event usually means wall cavities and flooring need attention too, which is beyond a scrub-and-wipe job. Hillsborough County's recovery guidance says cosmetic drywall removal and replacement don't need a permit, though structural repairs in a Special Flood Hazard Area do; Development Services handles permits for unincorporated Riverview.

Can I just clean it myself?

For a small patch on a hard surface, yes. Wear gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator, scrub with detergent and water, and dry the area completely. Don't seal moldy caulk under new caulk; EPA says not to paint or caulk over mold. Call in help when:

• The growth is bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet
• It is on drywall, carpet or ceiling tile rather than tile or glass
• It comes back within weeks
• Someone in the home has asthma or a weakened immune system

A Riverview note

If mildew keeps appearing around supply registers, check the condensate line and filter before scrubbing again. EPA advises keeping indoor humidity under 60 percent and AC drain lines flowing, and both are often the real fix in a newer Riverview home.