Mold in a wall usually means water has been getting into the cavity from a plumbing leak, an AC line, a roof or window leak, or moisture wicking up from the slab. The fix is to find the moisture source, open the wall under containment, remove moldy drywall and insulation, clean and dry the framing, then close it back up. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Tampa.
Signs the problem is inside the wall
- A musty smell that is strongest near one wall, closet or cabinet
- Paint that bubbles, peels or yellows, or baseboards that are swollen or stained
- Drywall that feels soft or crumbles near the floor
- Dark spotting that comes back after you wipe it
- A wall that shares space with a bathroom, kitchen sink, water heater or air handler
Color tells you nothing about how risky a mold is, so do not wait to see what color shows up. What matters is how much material is affected and why it got wet.
Where the water comes from in Tampa homes
| Source | Where it shows up |
|---|---|
| AC condensate line or drain pan overflow | Walls next to the air handler closet or along the drain line |
| Supply or drain line leak | Behind showers, vanities, dishwashers and washers |
| Roof or window leak after a storm | Upper corners, around window frames, exterior walls |
| Moisture from the slab | Bottom few inches of drywall and baseboard on ground-floor walls |
Tampa runs air conditioning most of the year, so condensate problems are common. EPA advises keeping drip pans clean and drain lines flowing, and keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent.
How a wall is opened and repaired
A remediation company should isolate the work area with plastic sheeting before cutting, so dust stays in that room. Moldy drywall and wet insulation are bagged and removed, the framing is cleaned and dried, and the cavity is checked with a moisture meter before anything new goes in. EPA warns against painting or caulking over mold, so a quote that only offers a sealer coat on a damaged wall is a warning sign. If a patch is under about 10 square feet and on the surface, EPA says a homeowner can usually handle it; growth inside the cavity is a different job.
What it typically costs
Angi reports that mold remediation in walls in Tampa typically runs $1,075 to $21,500, a wide range because one closet wall and a whole flooded floor are both "wall" jobs. Angi lists drywall repair at $1,075 to $3,125 on top of that. Price depends on how many linear feet are opened, whether insulation and baseboards come out, how hard the area is to contain, and whether the leak repair is in the same scope.
Who checks the work
Florida law bars a company from remediating a structure it assessed in the past 12 months, and the reverse. If you want testing before or after the wall is opened, expect it from an assessor who holds a state mold assessor license, separate from the remediator. You can check the license on DBPR's online licensee search.
Mold in Walls & Drywall questions from Tampa homeowners
Can I just paint over mold on drywall?
How do I know if mold is inside the wall and not just on the surface?
Will the whole wall have to come out?
Should I fix the leak or the mold first?
Related mold services in Tampa
Helpful guides
Mold in Walls & Drywall in nearby cities and towns
Hillsborough County
Pinellas County
Pasco County
Manatee County
Sarasota County
Polk County
Sources
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