AC & Air Duct Mold Removal in Seminole, FL

Seminole conditions

Helene and Milton were described as the worst storms in Seminole's history. The city manager said hundreds of single-family homes were damaged, and residents of Grove Terrace reported heavy flooding. Homes that took on water may have had air handlers in garages or closets sitting in it, and ducts that ran through flooded wall cavities or close to the floor. Even homes that stayed dry inside can have AC trouble after a storm: a power outage leaves the house warm and humid, and a system restarted with a half-clogged drain can overflow within days. Outside of storm season, the steady Tampa Bay humidity keeps a typical AC running most of the year, so the drain line and pan are always the first places to look.

Is it mold or something else?

Signs worth a call

• Growth visible on the blower, coil housing or inside the return
• A smell that came on after storm water entered the house
• Soft or stained drywall around the air handler closet
• Duct insulation that feels damp or has collapsed

Timing

EPA says water-damaged materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, so if storm water reached the system, the clock started when it came in. For everyday condensate problems, late spring is the best time for a drain check, before the summer load peaks. The City of Seminole Building Division on 113th Street handles permits inside city limits; unincorporated addresses with a Seminole mailing address go to Pinellas County. Renters can contact City of Seminole Code Enforcement, or Pinellas County Code Enforcement for unincorporated addresses.