Black Mold Removal in Seffner, FL

Why does my Seffner house keep growing black mold?

Almost always because something stays damp. Seffner, about 13 miles east of downtown Tampa, is a suburb where subdivisions are replacing a landscape of live oaks, strawberry farms and lakes, including Lake Weeks on the southeast side. It isn't a coastal community, so the moisture usually comes from the house itself: a roof that took on water during a storm, a plumbing leak in a wall, an AC drain line that clogged, or rooms that stay humid because the system short-cycles. EPA's target is indoor humidity under 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50 percent. Until the source is found, cleaning only buys time.

Is the black kind worse, and should I test it?

Color isn't a reliable guide to risk. Many common indoor molds look black or dark green, and EPA says that if mold is visible, sampling is usually unnecessary. What matters for anyone in the house is exposure: 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. Anyone with health concerns should talk to a health professional. Testing is useful when you smell mold but can't find it, or for a clearance check after removal.

When should a company take over?

EPA's rule of thumb is about 10 square feet. Above that, or when growth is inside a wall cavity, in the attic or in the AC system, a remediation company should handle it with containment and HEPA filtration. Angi reports typical Tampa-area remediation at $1,347 to $3,778. Ask who on the crew holds a Florida mold remediator license and check the name on DBPR's licensee search; if you hire an assessor, Florida law keeps that company from doing your removal within 12 months.

Local note

Seffner is unincorporated, so Hillsborough County Development Services handles permits for the drywall or structural repairs that follow removal. Hillsborough County Code Enforcement lists mold among the housing standards it enforces in unincorporated areas, along with A/C and heating, so tenants have somewhere to go when a landlord won't act; reports are made by online form or phone, and anonymous reports aren't accepted.